Campylobacter jejuni cytolethal distending toxin promotes DNA repair responses in normal human cells

Duane C. Hassane, Robert B. Lee, Carol L. Pickett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

91 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) is a multisubunit protein found in various gram-negative bacterial pathogens of humans which is thought to cause cell death by direct DNA damage of host cells. We sought to determine if a cellular response to DNA damage could be detected by exogenous addition of the holotoxin. Exogenous addition of the Campylobacter jejuni 81-176 CDT to primary human fibroblasts resulted in formation of Rad50 foci, which are formed around double-stranded-DNA breaks. Moreover, such foci are formed in both proliferating and nonproliferating cells that are treated with C. jejuni CDT. Fibroblasts that were intoxicated and later stimulated to proliferate failed to divide and remained arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)541-545
Number of pages5
JournalInfection and Immunity
Volume71
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

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