Phylogenetic analysis of Shiga toxin 1 and Shiga toxin 2 genes associated with disease outbreaks.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Shiga toxins 1 and 2 (Stx1 and Stx2) are bacteriophage-encoded proteins that have been associated with hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome and other severe disease conditions. Stx1 and Stx2 are genetically and immunologically distinct but share the same compound toxin structure, method of entry and enzymatic function.

Results

Phylogenetic analysis was performed using Stx1 and Stx2 amino acid and nucleotide sequences from 41 strains of Escherichia coli, along with known stx sequences available from GenBank. The analysis confirmed the Stx1 and Stx2 divergence, and showed that there is generally more sequence variation among stx2 genes than stx1. The phylograms showed generally flat topologies among our strains' stx1 and stx2 genes. In the stx2 gene, 39.5%

SUBMITTER: Lee JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2211750 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature