The cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 from E. coli: a janus toxin playing with cancer regulators.
Certain strains of Escherichia coli have been indicated as a risk factor for colon cancer. E. coli is a normal inhabitant of the human intestine that becomes pathogenic, especially in extraintestinal sites, following the acquisition of virulence factors, including the protein toxin CNF1. This Rho GTPases-activating toxin induces dysfunctions in transformed epithelial cells, such as apoptosis counteraction, pro-inflammatory cytokines' release, COX2 expression, NF-kB activation and boosted cellular motility. As cancer may arise when the same regulatory pathways are affected, it is conceivable to hypothesize that CNF1-producing E. coli infections can contribute to cancer development. This review focuses on those aspects of CNF1 related to transformation, with the aim of contributing to the identification of a new possible carcinogenic agent from the microbial world.
Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Superior Health Institute, viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Alessia
A
Fabbri
Sara
S
Travaglione
Giulia
G
Ballan
Stefano
S
Loizzo
Carla
C
Fiorentini
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors; D015398:Signal Transduction; D037521:Virulence Factors; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D016207:Cytokines; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D016328:NF-kappa B; D037521:Virulence Factors; C060296:cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins