The Helicobacter pylori Cag Type IV Secretion System

Trends Microbiol. 2020 Aug;28(8):682-695. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.02.004. Epub 2020 Mar 26.

Abstract

Colonization of the human stomach with Helicobacter pylori strains containing the cag pathogenicity island is a risk factor for development of gastric cancer. The cag pathogenicity island contains genes encoding a secreted effector protein (CagA) and components of a type IV secretion system (Cag T4SS). The molecular architecture of the H. pylori Cag T4SS is substantially more complex than that of prototype T4SSs in other bacterial species. In this review, we discuss recent discoveries pertaining to the structure and function of the Cag T4SS and its role in gastric cancer pathogenesis.

Keywords: bacterial nanomachines; bacterial protein secretion; cryo-electron microscopy; cryo-electron tomography; gastric adenocarcinoma; gastric cancer; macromolecular structures; peptic ulcer disease; type IV secretion system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Bacterial / genetics
  • Antigens, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Genomic Islands / genetics*
  • Helicobacter Infections / pathology*
  • Helicobacter pylori / growth & development
  • Helicobacter pylori / metabolism*
  • Helicobacter pylori / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Protein Conformation
  • Stomach / microbiology
  • Stomach / pathology
  • Stomach Neoplasms / microbiology
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology
  • Type IV Secretion Systems / physiology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Type IV Secretion Systems
  • cagA protein, Helicobacter pylori