Re: Bacterial Protein Mimics Its Host to Disable a Key Enzyme

[Guest guest]

Fascinating Mara, thanks.

PJ

>

> This is interesting - and gives a sense of why this particular

> bacteria is hard to eradicate and how it evolved to confuse the body on

purpose.

>

> Also, how it triggers side effects like obesity, etc. Likely, it's

descriptive of more

> bacteria than just helicobacter pylori (the bacteria that causes ulcers). And

why

> they are such a problem to eradicate in the gut and elsewhere.

>

>

> http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091231152128.htm

> Bacterial Protein Mimics Its Host to Disable a Key Enzyme

>

> ScienceDaily (Jan. 2, 2010) — Helicobacter pyloriinfects up to 90 percent of

people in the developing world and causes gastric ulcers and cancers of the gut.

Now scientists have revealed a subterfuge used by the bacterium to trick stomach

cells into playing along. By injecting a protein into the stomach lining that

mimics a native protein but has its opposite effect, the bacterium shuts down a

process that helps properly structure stomach tissue, scientists say.

>