[Virulence gene of H. pylori]

Nihon Rinsho. 2001 Feb;59(2):227-33.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

H. pylori is a well-recognized pathogen that infects up to 50% of humans in the world. H. pylori lives for decades in the hostile environment of the human stomach. H. pylori is closely associated with histologic gastritis, gastric ulceration, duodenal ulceration, gastric cancer and MALT lymphoma. These various clinical outcomes are considered by 1) different virulence, 2) host response, 3) other environmental factors, and their interactions. Since the whole genome was sequenced in 1997, the virulence genes have been investigated in molecular genetic aspects. The cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI) is a complex of virulence genes, which code approximately 30 proteins. The cagPAI acquired by horizontal transfer and is coding for type 4 secretion machinery system. Via this system, many virulence gene products or other interactive proteins are transferred into the host cells.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adhesins, Bacterial*
  • Antigens, Bacterial*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / physiology
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology
  • Gastric Mucosa / immunology
  • Gastric Mucosa / microbiology
  • Helicobacter pylori / genetics*
  • Helicobacter pylori / immunology
  • Helicobacter pylori / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Lewis Blood Group Antigens
  • Lewis X Antigen
  • Virulence / genetics*

Substances

  • Adhesins, Bacterial
  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • BabA protein, Helicobacter pylori
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Lewis Blood Group Antigens
  • Lewis X Antigen
  • Lewis Y antigen
  • VacA protein, Helicobacter pylori
  • cagA protein, Helicobacter pylori