Differentiation between Structurally Homologous Shiga 1 and Shiga 2 Toxins by Using Synthetic Glycoconjugates

Choose your poison: Shiga toxins 1 and 2 are the major virulence factors of E. coli O157:H7. However, Shiga 2 is more potent than Shiga 1. Biotinylated glycoconjugates have been developed that differentiate between these structurally homologous toxins (see picture; R=OH: selective for Shiga 1; R=NHAc: selective for Shiga 2). These synthetic materials efficiently capture toxins without interference from the sample matrix.