Open AccessGlobotriaosylceramide (Gb3) content in HeLa cells is correlated to Shiga toxin-induced cytotoxicity and Gb3 synthase expression
Author(s) -
Ilsup Shin,
Satoshi Ishii,
Jong-Seo Shin,
Kyong-Il Sung,
Byung-Sung Park,
Hyun-Yong Jang,
Byong-Wan Kim
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
bmb reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.511
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1976-670X
pISSN - 1976-6696
DOI - 10.5483/bmbrep.2009.42.5.310
Subject(s) - globotriaosylceramide , hela , shiga toxin , cytotoxicity , microbiology and biotechnology , glycolipid , chemistry , cell culture , shiga like toxin , clone (java method) , biology , biochemistry , cell , in vitro , escherichia coli , dna , gene , pathology , fabry disease , medicine , genetics , disease
Globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and globotetraosylceramide (Gb4) are the proposed functional receptors for Shiga toxin (Stx). To elucidate the effect of Gb3 content on Stx-induced cytotoxicity in HeLa cells, we cloned HeLa cells and determined the correlation between glycolipids content and Stx-induced cytotoxicity. The 29 HeLa cell clone (HLCC) lines used showed a wide range of sensitivity to Stx, compared to Gb3-rich cells which were more sensitive, showing as little as 20% viability to 100 pg/ml Stx. In contrast, Gb3-deficient cells proved resistant as they were more than 80% viable to 100 ng/ml Stx. Gb3 content in the HLCC lines corresponded with Stxs-induced cytotoxicity as well as Gb3 synthase expression, but no correlation with Gb4 content was noted. These data show that Gb3 content, which is regulated by the expression of Gb3 synthase, determines the sensitivity of HeLa cells toward Stx.