Work

Glucosyltransferase activity ofClostridium difficileToxin B is essential for disease pathogenesis

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Clostridium difficile TcdB harbors a glucosyltransferase that targets host Rho GTPases. However, the role of the enzyme activity in the induction of host intestinal disease has not been demonstrated. In this study, we established a mouse acute intestinal disease model by cecum injection of wild type and glucosyltransferase-deficient TcdB and a chronic model by delivering toxin intraluminally via engineered surrogate host Bacillus megaterium. We demonstrated, for the first time, that the glucosyltransferase activity of TcdB is essential for inducing disease symptoms and intestinal pathological responses that resemble human disease, highlighting the importance of targeting toxin glucosyltransferase activity for future therapy.

Source: Gut Microbes

DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2015.1062965

Authors: Zhiyong Yang, Yongrong Zhang, Tuxiong Huang, Hanping Feng

Institution: University of Maryland, Baltimore

Language: English

Topic: Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases