Loss of a Cardiolipin Synthase in Helicobacter pylori G27 Blocks Flagellum Assembly

Abstract

H. pylori colonizes the epithelial layer of the human stomach, where it can cause a variety of diseases, including chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer. To colonize the stomach, H. pylori must penetrate the viscous mucous layer lining the stomach, which it accomplishes using its flagella. The significance of our research is identifying factors that affect the biosynthesis and assembly of the H. pylori flagellum, which will contribute to our understanding of motility in H. pylori , as well as other bacterial pathogens that use their flagella for host colonization.