MILAN (ITALPRESS) – The pks+ chromosomal sequence, present in the Escherichia Coli (E.Coli) bacterium, appears to contribute to the development of colon cancer. In particular, there would be a link between the mutations associated with its presence and the alterations in some distinctive genes of this type of tumor. This discovery could provide innovative opportunities for preventive strategies and personalized therapies, especially considering the increase in colon cancers, especially among young adults.
This is the result of the study entitled “Contribution of pks+ E.coli mutations to colorectal carcinogenesis”, just published in the journal Nature Communications, carried out thanks to the collaboration between the Institute of Cancer Research (London), Human Technopole and the University of of Milan-Bicocca. The research team was led by Bingjie Chen (London), Daniele Ramazzotti (Milan-Bicocca), Trevor A. Graham (London) and Andrea Sottoriva (Human Technopole).
The research focused on the formation of colorectal tumors, analyzing the role of the bacterium Escherichia coli (E.coli) in the onset of the tumor. In fact, some strains of Escherichia coli may contain an enzyme called polyketide synthetase (E. coli pks+), which codes for the colibactin molecule, a compound toxic to DNA. In particular, the study revealed that the mutations associated with the presence of E. coli pks+ are correlated with specific alterations in some key colorectal cancer genes.
Furthermore, genome analyzes of healthy mucosa in cancer patients revealed distinctive mutational signatures, consistent with the genotoxic action of the bacterium. This phenomenon, so far little explored in the normal mucosa of cancer patients, emerges as a potential initiator of mutations that contribute to the development of colorectal tumors.
«These results show how E.coli pks+ could represent a key element in colon carcinogenesis. – underlines Daniele Ramazzotti, one of the main authors of the research – This not only offers a new perspective on the complexity of the onset of colorectal cancer, but could also pave the way for the development of new risk biomarkers for this pathology. In fact, deepening the connection between the intestinal microbiota and the formation of tumors could offer innovative opportunities for personalized preventive and therapeutic strategies, especially considering the increase in colon tumors, especially among young adults.”
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(ITALPRESS).
