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

J Neurochem. 2007 Nov:103 Suppl 1:150-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.04707.x.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

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

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Threonine
  • Asparagine
  • Sialyltransferases