SNX1 and SNX2 mediate retrograde transport of Shiga toxin

The bacterial toxin Shiga toxin (Stx) is transported retrogradely from early endosomes to the Golgi apparatus on its way to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the cytosol. In this study we explored the functions of the two phosphoinositide binding proteins Sorting nexin 1 (SNX1) and Sorting nexin 2 (SNX2) in endosomal sorting of the toxin. When Vero cells were depleted of either SNX1 or SNX2 by small interfering RNA (siRNA), Stx transport to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) was impaired by ⩾40%, whereas combined depletion of SNX1 and SNX2 gave a total inhibition of ∼80%. Inhibition of PI(3)P formation by wortmannin resulted in a similar reduction. Thus, although being partly redundant, both SNX1 and SNX2 are required for efficient Stx trafficking to the Golgi apparatus.