Haslam Lab
Bacterial toxins, by their very nature, are remarkably adept at exploiting host cell biology. Shiga toxin (Stx), the agent studied by our laboratory, is a good example. Shiga toxin is responsible for thousands of cases of hemorrhagic enteritis annually, and is the most common cause of hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially fatal illness that predominantly affects young children.
Our laboratory is interested in the intracellular trafficking of shiga toxin within host cells. Using a genetic screen for molecules involved in toxin trafficking, we isolated the cDNA for a novel ER-localized chaperone, which we named HEDJ. We found that shiga toxin is capable of transport across the ER membrane after interaction with HEDJ. Apparently, shiga toxin “pretends” to be a misfolded host protein in order to exploit HEDJ and and the “ER quality-control pathway” to gain access to the cytoplasm. We are currently investigating the role of HEDJ and other chaperones in normal cellular biology as well as toxin trafficking.
More recently, we have undertaken a 'chemical genomics' approach to studying the toxin transport pathway. Using a high throughput screen developed in our laboratory, we are identifying small molecule inhibitors of Stx, ricin, and cholera toxin transport and enzymatic activity. These compounds are used as tools to dissect the toxin transport pathway and may show promise as potential therapeutic agents against these toxins.
Contact Information
office phone: 314-286-2888
office fax: 314-286-2895
lab phone: 314-286-2875
office location:
Room 6108, McDonnell Pediatric Research Building
mailing address:
Department of Pediatrics
Washington University School of Medicine
660 South Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8208
St. Louis, MO 63110
shipping address:
Washington University School of Medicine
Dept of Pediatrics
MPRB 6th floor
4938 Parkview Place
St. Louis, MO 63110
Haslam Lab
Bacterial toxins, by their very nature, are remarkably adept at exploiting host cell biology. Shiga toxin (Stx), the agent studied by our laboratory, is a good example. Shiga toxin is responsible for thousands of cases of hemorrhagic enteritis annually, and is the most common cause of hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially fatal illness that predominantly affects young children.
Our laboratory is interested in the intracellular trafficking of shiga toxin within host cells. Using a genetic screen for molecules involved in toxin trafficking, we isolated the cDNA for a novel ER-localized chaperone, which we named HEDJ. We found that shiga toxin is capable of transport across the ER membrane after interaction with HEDJ. Apparently, shiga toxin “pretends” to be a misfolded host protein in order to exploit HEDJ and and the “ER quality-control pathway” to gain access to the cytoplasm. We are currently investigating the role of HEDJ and other chaperones in normal cellular biology as well as toxin trafficking.
More recently, we have undertaken a 'chemical genomics' approach to studying the toxin transport pathway. Using a high throughput screen developed in our laboratory, we are identifying small molecule inhibitors of Stx, ricin, and cholera toxin transport and enzymatic activity. These compounds are used as tools to dissect the toxin transport pathway and may show promise as potential therapeutic agents against these toxins.
Contact Information
office phone: 314-286-2888
office fax: 314-286-2895
lab phone: 314-286-2875
office location:
Room 6108, McDonnell Pediatric Research Building
mailing address:
Department of Pediatrics
Washington University School of Medicine
660 South Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8208
St. Louis, MO 63110
shipping address:
Washington University School of Medicine
Dept of Pediatrics
MPRB 6th floor
4938 Parkview Place
St. Louis, MO 63110