Campylobacter sialyltransferase gene polymorphism directs clinical features of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Abstract

Progress has been made in Guillain-Barré syndrome, a post-infectious autoimmune neuropathy, especially on identifying Campylobacter jejuni genes responsible for the development and determinant of clinical features. C. jejuni strains carrying a sialyltransferase gene (cst-II), which is essential for the biosynthesis of ganglioside-like lipo-oligosaccharides (LOSs), are associated with the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome. The C. jejuni sialyltransferase (Cst-II) consists of 291 amino acids, and the 51st determines its enzymatic activity. Strains with cst-II (Thr51) expressed GM1-like and GD1a-like LOS, whereas strains with cst-II (Asn51) expressed GT1a-like and GD1c-like LOS. Patients infected with the cst-II (Thr51) strains had anti-GM1 or anti-GD1a IgG antibodies, and showed limb weakness. Patients infected with the cst-II (Asn51) strains had anti-GQ1b IgG antibodies, and showed ophthalmoplegia and ataxia. The cst-II gene is responsible for the development of Guillain-Barré and Fisher syndromes, and the polymorphism (Thr/Asn51) determines which syndrome develops after C. jejuni enteritis.

• Authors: Nobuhiro Yuki
• Journal: Journal of neurochemistry (J Neurochem) Vol. 103 Suppl 1 Pg. 150-8 (Nov 2007) ISSN: 1471-4159 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 17986150 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Bacterial Proteins
• Threonine
• Asparagine
• Sialyltransferases

Topics

• Animals
• Asparagine (genetics)
• Bacterial Proteins (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Campylobacter jejuni (genetics)
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome (genetics, microbiology)
• Humans
• Polymorphism, Genetic
• Sialyltransferases (genetics)
• Threonine (genetics)