Inhibition of TNFα-interacting protein α (Tipα)-associated gastric carcinogenesis by BTG2 /TIS21 via downregulating cytoplasmic nucleolin expression

A gastric cancer-inducing protein secreted by gut bacteria could be blocked by enhancing expression of a key gene. Helicobacter pylori infection appears to increase the chances of developing cancer in the top part of the stomach. Now, In Kyoung Lim at Ajou University, Suwon, Korea, and co-workers have demonstrated cancer-inhibiting mechanisms triggered by a gene called B cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2). BTG2 is expressed in various organs in healthy individuals, and is highly expressed in people infected with H. pylori. However, expression of the gene diminishes rapidly in patients with gastric cancer. Lim's team showed that BTG2 expression inhibits a key cancer-inducing protein expressed by H. pylori, and found that cancer patients with higher BTG2 expression levels had better overall survival rates. Treatments involving BTG2 may help protect against cancer development after H. pylori infection.