The role of the putative virulence markers (cagA and vacA ) of Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcer disease.
Helicobacter pylori is genetically diverse and certain strains are more virulent and cause more severe diseases than others and such diversity is reflected on the clinical outcome. The cytotoxin-associated gene (cagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin (vacA) gene are 2 putative markers that were associated with peptic ulcer disease. The basis for the epidemiological association between the cagA and vacA genes is not known. In this review, the molecular characteristics of these markers, and its role in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer are discussed.
Salih
Barik A
BA
Department of Biology and Microbiology Unit, Fatih University, Faculty of Science, B.cekmece, Istanbul, Turkey. basalih@fatih.edu.tr
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C074689:VacA protein, Helicobacter pylori; C080866:cagA protein, Helicobacter pylori