A Cell-Based Fluorescent Assay to Detect the Activity of Shiga Toxin and Other Toxins that Inhibit Protein Synthesis

Escherichia coli O157:H7, a major cause of food-borne illness, produces Shiga toxins (Stxs) that block protein synthesis by inactivating the ribosome. In this chapter, we describe a simple cell-based fluorescent assay to detect Stxs and inhibitors of toxin activity. The assay can also be used to detect other plant and bacterial toxins that arrest protein synthesis.