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Bacterial cyclomodulins: types and roles in carcinogenesis
Radwa N Morgan1, Sarra E Saleh2, Hala A Farrag1
1Drug radiation research Department, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Cairo, Egypt.
Critical Reviews in Microbiology
|July 15, 2021
Summary
Bacterial toxins called cyclomodulins disrupt cell cycles and promote cancer. This review explores their mechanisms and links to human carcinomas like colorectal and gastric cancers.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Oncology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Bacterial infections contribute to cancer by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and releasing toxins.
- These bacterial toxins, known as cyclomodulins, disrupt cell cycle regulation and promote inflammation, mimicking carcinogens.
- Cyclomodulins are bacterial toxins that modulate cell cycles, increasing the carcinogenic potential of the bacteria that produce them.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the different types of bacterial cyclomodulins.
- To highlight the mode of action of these toxins.
- To discuss the possible role of cyclomodulins in carcinogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on bacterial toxins and cancer.
- Analysis of the mechanisms of cyclomodulin action on cellular processes.
- Examination of epidemiological data linking cyclomodulin-producing bacteria to human carcinomas.
Main Results:
- Cyclomodulins can either promote cellular proliferation or induce cell cycle arrest.
- Specific examples include colibactin from *Escherichia coli* in colorectal cancer, CagA in gastric cancer, and CdtB from *Salmonella* in hepatobiliary cancer.
- These toxins have been shown to stimulate carcinoma overgrowth and induce hyperplasia in animal models.
Conclusions:
- Cyclomodulin-producing bacteria are linked to various human carcinomas.
- The toxins' ability to disrupt cell cycle regulation and induce genotoxicity suggests a significant role in cancer development.
- Further research into cyclomodulins is crucial for understanding and potentially targeting bacterial contributions to carcinogenesis.
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