Project description:Shiga toxin type 2 (Stx2) is the main virulence factor produced by Stx-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) responsible for hemorrhagic colitis and the life-threatening sequela hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Project description:The existence of two separate lineages of Escherichia coli O157:H7 has previously been reported, and research indicates that one of these lineages (lineage I) might be more pathogenic towards human hosts. We have previously shown that the more pathogenic lineage expresses higher levels of Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) than the non-pathogenic lineage II. To evaluate why lineage 2 isolates do not express appreciable levels of toxin, two lineage 2 isolates (FRIK966 and FRIK2000) were chosen as representatives of lineage 2 and whole genome microarrays were performed using Agilent microarrays using the E. coli O157:H7 EDL933 lineage I clinical type isolate as a reference. Microarray results were utilized to evaluate what genes and pathways might be missing or differentially expressed. Quantitative RT-PCR was utilized to validate the microarray data.
