Shiga toxin induces decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 concomitant with the onset of endothelial apoptosis

RD Erwert, KT Eiting, JC Tupper, RK Winn… - Microbial …, 2003 - Elsevier
Shiga toxin (Stx) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several human and animal
disease states. A key host target of Stx is the endothelial cell. Stx induces endothelial cell
apoptosis through a mechanism that remains unknown. In the present report, we
demonstrate that Stx-1 and Stx-2 inhibit endothelial cell expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-
2 family member, Mcl-1. Decreased expression of Mcl-1 preceded the onset of Stx-induced
apoptosis. Further, Stx-1-induced decrements in Mcl-1 expression correlated in a dose …