Polyamine catabolism contributes to enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis -induced colon tumorigenesis

It is estimated that the etiology of 20-30% of epithelial cancers is directly associated with inflammation, although the direct molecular events linking inflammation and carcinogenesis are poorly defined. In the context of gastrointestinal disease, the bacterium enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) is a significant source of chronic inflammation and has been implicated as a risk factor for colorectal cancer. Spermine oxidase (SMO) is a polyamine catabolic enzyme that is highly inducible by inflammatory stimuli resulting in increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damage. We now demonstrate that purified B. fragilis toxin (BFT) up-regulates SMO in HT29/c1 and T84 colonic epithelial cells,…

• SW
  Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation
• JH
  Johns Hopkins University
• NI
  National Institutes of Health
• DO
  Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University