Helicobacter pylori infection generates genetic instability in gastric cells

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Machado, AMD (Author) Other; Figueiredo C (Author) FMUP; Seruca, R (Author) FMUP; Rasmussen, LJ (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Reviews on Cancer

Vol. 1806

Pages: 58-65

ISSN: 0304-419X

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 65 Citations

Scopus - 68 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-44K

DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2010.01.007

Abstract (EN): The discovery that Helicobacter pylori is associated with gastric cancer has led to numerous studies that investigate the mechanisms by which H. pylori induces carcinogenesis. Gastric cancer shows genetic instability both in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, besides impairment of important DNA repair pathways. As such, this review highlights the consequences of H. pylori infection on the integrity of DNA in the host cells. By down-regulating major DNA repair pathways, H. pylori infection has the potential to generate mutations. In addition, H. pylori infection can induce direct changes on the DNA of the host, such as oxidative damage, methylation, chromosomal instability, microsatellite instability, and mutations. Interestingly, H. pylori infection generates genetic instability in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. Based on the reviewed literature we conclude that H. pylori infection promotes gastric carcinogenesis by at least three different mechanisms: (1) a combination of increased endogenous DNA damage and decreased repair activities, (2) induction of mutations in the mitochondrial DNA, and (3) generation of a transient mutator phenotype that induces mutations in the nuclear genome.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8