Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 10, 2025

Bioluminescent Bacterial Imaging In Vivo
Published on: November 4, 2012
Gut Microbiota and Colon Cancer: A Role for Bacterial Protein Toxins?
Carla Fiorentini1, Francesca Carlini2, Elena Angela Pia Germinario2
1Association for Research on Integrative Oncology Therapies (ARTOI), Via Ludovico Micara, 73, 00165 Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
Accumulating evidence indicates that the human intestinal microbiota can contribute to the etiology of colorectal cancer. Triggering factors, including inflammation and bacterial infections, may favor the shift of the gut microbiota from a mutualistic to a pro-carcinogenic configuration. In this context, certain bacterial pathogens can exert a pro-tumoral activity by producing enzymatically-active protein toxins that either directly induce host cell DNA damage or interfere with essential host cell signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation. This review is focused on those toxins that, by mimicking carcinogens and cancer promoters, could represent a paradigm for bacterially induced carcinogenesis.
More Related Videos
07:23Measuring the Effects of Bacteria and Chemicals on the Intestinal Permeability of Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: December 3, 2019
09:26Identification of Antibacterial Immunity Proteins in Escherichia coli using MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS/MS and Top-Down Proteomic Analysis
Published on: May 23, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Bacterial Translocation and Protein Secretion
Antimicrobial Proteins
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics