Positive selection on a bacterial oncoprotein associated with gastric cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Helicobacter pylori is a vertically inherited gut commensal that is carcinogenic if it possesses the cag pathogenicity island (cag PaI); infection with H.pylori is the major risk factor for gastric cancer, the second leading cause of death from cancer worldwide (WHO). The cag PaI locus encodes the cagA gene, whose protein product is injected into stomach epithelial cells via a Type IV secretion system, also encoded by the cag PaI. Once there, the cagA protein binds to various cellular proteins, resulting in dysregulation of cell division and carcinogenesis. For this reason, cagA may be described as an oncoprotein. A clear understanding of the mechanism of action of cagA and its benefit to the bacteria is lacking.

Results

Here, we reveal that the cagA gene displays

SUBMITTER: Delgado-Rosado G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3228766 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature