Helicobacter pylori VacA, a paradigm for toxin multifunctionality

Bacterial protein toxins alter eukaryotic cellular processes and enable bacteria to successfully colonize their hosts. In recent years, there has been increased recognition that many bacterial toxins are multifunctional proteins that can have pleiotropic effects on mammalian cells and tissues. In this review, we examine a multifunctional toxin (VacA) that is produced by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. The actions of H. pylori VacA represent a paradigm for how bacterial secreted toxins contribute to colonization and virulence in multiple ways.