Shiga toxin-2 binds to the globotriaosyl-ceramide receptor on the plasma membrane of target cells. The highlevel expression of this receptor in renal epithelial cells may account, at least in part, for acute renal failure observed inchildren with hemolytic uremic syndrome. The cytotoxic effect of Shiga toxin-2 was assayed on primary cultures of humanrenal tubular epithelial cells treated with a new specific inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthase (C-9), the ratelimitingfirst step in the glycosphingolipid biosynthetic pathway. The treatment of the cells with 1-5 M C-9 for at least24 h significantly neutralized the action of 1 ng/ml Shiga toxin-2 on cell viability. The expression levels of globotriaosylceramidesignificantly decreased when cells were incubated with 1 M C-9 for 48 h. We propose here that prevention ofglobotriaosyl-ceramide synthesis by the C-9 could be a novel substrate inhibition therapy to neutralize Shiga toxin-2 actionin renal epithelial cells.Fil: Silberstein, Claudia Marcela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas. Laboratorio de Fisiopatogenia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Copeland, Diane P. No especifíca;Fil: Chiang, Wei Lien. No especifíca;Fil: Repetto, Horacio A.. Hospital Nacional Profesor Alejandro Posadas; ArgentinaFil: Ibarra, Cristina Adriana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas. Laboratorio de Fisiopatogenia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin
