Echoes of a Distant Past: The cag Pathogenicity Island of Helicobacter pylori

  1. Antonello Covacci1
  1. 1Systems Biology Unit, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, 53100 Siena, Italy
  2. 2Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Oxford Branch, Oxford, United Kingdom
  1. Correspondence: antonello.covacci{at}novartis.com

Abstract

This review discusses the multiple roles of the CagA protein encoded by the cag pathogenicity island of Helicobacter pylori and highlights the CagA degradation activities on p53. By subverting the p53 tumor suppressor pathway CagA induces a strong antiapoptotic effect. Helicobacter pylori infection has been always associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. The pro-oncogenic functions of CagA also target the tumor suppressor ASPP2. In the absence of tumor suppressor genes, cells survive and proliferate at times and in places where their survival and proliferation are inappropriate.

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