Pathogenicity island mediates Helicobacter pylori interaction with the host.
In Helicobacter pylori, a pathogenicity island (PAI) of approximately 40 kb, named cag, is present in a subset of strains. The strains containing the PAI are more virulent than those that do not contain it, and are associated with peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. A putative secretory mechanism is encoded by this PAI. This secretory system is thought to be involved in the induction of the proiflammatory lymphokine IL-8 and tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in the gastric cells. We are currently investigating the potential toxic factors exported by this region.
IRIS, Chiron S.p.A., Siena, Italy. Rappuoli@IRIS02.Biocine.IT
R
R
Rappuoli
C
C
Lange
S
S
Censini
A
A
Covacci
D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D014774:Virulence