Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA) is one of the most important virulence factors of H. pylori (Hp), which is the only toxic protein that is secreted from Hp cell into the culture supernatant. The effects of VacA on eukaryotic systems is the subject of many previous and on going research studies. Intracellular targets for this toxin include: late endosomal and lysosomal compartments, mitochondria, cell-cell junctions and phospholipid bilayers. Its effects on these targets include vacuolation of late endosomal and lysosomal compartments, apoptosis and channel formation, which result in the increase of ion uptake specially anions. The aim of this review is to increase the perception on this toxin and its functions.
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