Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection induces altered amphiregulin processing and release.

ABSTRACT: Adhesion of the human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae has established effects on the host cell and evokes a variety of cellular events including growth factor activation. In the present study we report that infection with N. gonorrhoeae causes altered amphiregulin processing and release in human epithelial cells. Amphiregulin is a well-studied growth factor with functions in various cell processes and is upregulated in different forms cancer and proliferative diseases. The protein is prototypically cleaved on the cell surface in response to external stimuli. We demonstrate that upon infection, a massive upregulation of amphiregulin mRNA is seen. The protein changes its subcellular distribution and is also alternatively cleaved at the plasma membrane, which results in augmented release of an

SUBMITTER: Lofmark S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3029346 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature