The 130-kDa Vacuolating Cytotoxin-Associated Protein Is a Component of Cytotoxic Helicobacter pylori Organisms

Helicobacter pylori (HP) is the agent of type B gastritis and a cofactor in the development of peptic ulcer and probably also of gastric cancer. Certain HP strains produce a toxin which induces intracellular vacuolization on mammalian cells in vitro. Proteins associated with vacuolating activity (VA) have molecular weights of 130, 95, and 80 kDa and can be detected broth and in concentrated broth culture filtrates (CBCF) of cytotoxic strains [1].