Mechanistic dissection unmasks colibactin as a prevalent mutagenic driver of cancer.

Authors:
Hilmar Berger, Thomas F Meyer
Year of publication:
2021
Volume:
39
Issue:
11
Issn:
1535-6108
Journal title abbreviated:
Cancer Cell
Journal title long:
Cancer cell
Impact factor:
38.585
Abstract:
Gut colonization by colibactin-producing bacteria is associated with colorectal cancer. A mutational signature of this genotoxin in human cancer indicates causality but only partially accounts for cell transformation. Instead, the failure of adequately resolving DNA damage causes genomic aberrations and chromosomal instability, constituting the main starting point for colibactin-driven cancer.