The multiple cellular activities of the VacA cytotoxin of Helicobacter pylori.
Helicobacter pylori has elaborated a unique set of virulence factors that allow it to colonize the stomach wall. These factors include urease, helicoidal shape, flagella, adhesion and pro-inflammatory molecules. Here we discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms of action of the vacuolating cytotoxin VacA. Its activities are discussed in terms of tissue alterations which promote the release of nutrients necessary to the growth and survival of the bacterium in its nutrient-poor ecological niche. This toxin also shows some pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities which may be functional to the establishment of a chronic type of inflammation.
de Bernard
Marina
M
Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università di Padova, Istituto Veneto di Medicina Molecolare, Padova, Italy.
Cappon
Andrea
A
Del Giudice
Giuseppe
G
Rappuoli
Rino
R
Montecucco
Cesare
C
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000502:physiology; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000502:physiology; D011992:Endosomes / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology*; D005756:Gastritis / Q000382:microbiology*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D007473:Ion Channels; C074689:VacA protein, Helicobacter pylori