CagA Pylori
Escherichia Coli.
Greater than 95% pure as determined by 12% PAGE (Coomassie staining).
Description
CagA Pylori recombinant antigen is produced in E. coli expressing the H. pylori Cytotoxin-Associated Gene A having the Mw of 34 kDa. ADK is fused to a His-tag at C-terminus & purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Product Specs
Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that can infect the stomach. It is a gram-negative bacterium, meaning it has a specific structure to its cell wall. H. pylori infection is common, affecting roughly half of the global population. When present, it can cause inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), potentially leading to more severe conditions like peptic ulcers and even gastric cancer. Due to its association with cancer, the World Health Organization classifies H. pylori as a Group 1 carcinogen.
One of the ways H. pylori causes damage is through a virulence factor called Cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA). This gene is part of a larger set of genes known as the cag pathogenicity island (PAI). The Cag PAI allows H. pylori to inject the CagA protein directly into the cells lining the stomach.
Once inside these cells, CagA disrupts normal cell functions. This interference can lead to several issues, including:
- Uncontrolled cell growth (hyperproliferation)
- Programmed cell death (apoptosis)
- Changes in the cell's internal structure (cytoskeleton), affecting its shape and function
Additionally, CagA's presence triggers the stomach lining cells to release signaling molecules called cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukins (IL) 1, 6, and 8. These cytokines amplify the inflammatory response, attracting immune cells to the site. One specific cytokine, IL-8, is known to contribute to the production of harmful molecules called free radicals. These free radicals can damage the DNA of surrounding cells, increasing the risk of mutations that might lead to cancer.
CagA Pylori recombinant antigen is a laboratory-produced version of the CagA protein from H. pylori. It is generated using E. coli bacteria as a production factory. The protein has a molecular weight of 34 kDa. For purification and research purposes, a His-tag is attached to the C-terminus of the protein. The purification process involves specialized chromatographic techniques to isolate the CagA protein.
CagA Pylori recombinant protein is supplied in a solution of 1xPBS with a pH of 7.4.
For short-term storage (up to one week), CagA Pylori can be kept at refrigerated temperature (4°C). However, for long-term preservation, it is crucial to store it in a frozen state at -18°C or below. Repeated freezing and thawing cycles can degrade the protein and should be avoided.
Analysis using a technique called PAGE (polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) with Coomassie staining reveals that the purity of the CagA Pylori recombinant protein is greater than 95%. This method separates proteins based on size, allowing for the assessment of sample purity.
Escherichia Coli.
Purified by proprietary chromatographic technique.
Product Science Overview
CagA is a protein encoded by the cagA gene, which is part of the cag pathogenicity island (cag PAI). This island consists of approximately 40 kb of chromosomal DNA and includes up to 32 open reading frames (ORFs) that encode the effector protein CagA and components of the bacterial type IV secretion system (T4SS) . The T4SS forms a syringe-like structure that delivers CagA into gastric epithelial cells .
Once inside the host cells, CagA undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation and activates a series of intracellular signal transduction reactions. This leads to severe tissue inflammation and damage . CagA has been shown to play a critical role in gastric inflammation and the development of gastric cancer . It negatively regulates autophagy by downregulating BECN1, a key protein in the autophagy pathway . This inhibition of autophagy promotes the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, contributing to the pathogenicity of H. pylori .
Recombinant CagA refers to the CagA protein that has been produced using recombinant DNA technology. This involves cloning the cagA gene into an expression vector, which is then introduced into a host organism (such as E. coli) to produce the protein. Recombinant CagA is used in research to study its structure, function, and role in H. pylori pathogenicity.
Infection with CagA-positive H. pylori strains is associated with a higher risk of developing severe gastric diseases compared to CagA-negative strains . Nearly 70% of all H. pylori strains isolated worldwide possess the cag PAI, with higher prevalence in East Asian isolates . Understanding the role of CagA in H. pylori infection can help in developing targeted therapies and preventive measures for gastric diseases.
