What role do special small RNA molecules play in the process of Helicobacter pylori infection in humans?

  More than half of the human body in the world brings Helicobacter pylori to the gastric mucosa. This usually does not cause health problems in a person's life, but Helicobacter pylori can cause inflammation of the body and even stomach cancer. Helicobacter pylori can use toxic factors to survive in the stomach of carriers and induce diseases. A few days ago, in a research report published in the International Journal of Molecular Cells, scientists from the University of Würzburg and other institutions discovered that Helicobacter pylori strongly regulates many of the toxicities of bacteria through a small RNA molecule called NikS factor. I can do it. by

  The target genes controlled by

  ikS are two genes encoding important virulence factors for Helicobacter pylori and outer membrane proteins. In particular, the researchers found that NikS can regulate the expression of the bacterial oncoprotein CagA protein. In addition to playing an important role in the development of Helicobacter pylori-induced cancer, proteins with unknown functions secreted by Helicobacter pylori are also released into the environment and controlled by NikS. Cynthia Sharma applies the findings of this article to medical research and infection to understand the various functions of this small RNA molecule and its related bacterial signaling pathways, as well as the molecular mechanisms mediated during infection. He explained that this is very important for disease research. Researchers may be able to find new targets for the development of new antibacterial therapies.

  In fact, Helicobacter pylori can survive in the host's stomach in a hostile environment, and can also benefit from special genetic strategies. Like other pathogens, Helicobacter pylori uses so-called phase mutations. Strategies to adapt to environmental changes as much as possible. Phase transition refers to the continuous change of gene expression by bacteria through gene mutation. This shows that when certain genes become important, bacteria in the population are always ready to express these important genes. "Gambling" strategy.

  In this study, researchers discovered for the first time that the expression of small RNA molecules (not just proteins) such as NikS is also affected by phase transitions. According to the different conditions of the host's stomach, different levels of NikS molecules may be helpful, and the level of small RNA molecules can adapt to this situation through phase change, which is a pathogenic factor. Will bring different adjustments. Researcher Sharma said that this mechanism can promote Helicobacter pylori to adapt to the changing gastric environment and play an important role in the long-term colonization of the host body. Experiments have found that NikS can affect bacteria captured in host cells. In addition, small RNA molecules enable Helicobacter pylori to overcome the epithelial barrier of the host's stomach tissue and finally enter the deep stomach tissue to obtain the nutrients needed by the bacteria to survive. In subsequent studies, the researchers found that this small RNA molecule promotes the colonization and growth of Helicobacter pylori in various habitats of the stomach, and that small RNA molecules such as NikS regulate bacterial diseases. Continue to conduct detailed studies to determine whether they can participate in the expression characteristics of other genes.