A bacterial toxin that causes DNA damage to modulate cellular responses.

Abstract

Campylobacter jejuni constitutes the leading cause of bacterial diarrhea in the U.S. and all around the world. This common bacterium produces a toxin known as cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) which causes intoxicated cells to enlarge and to stop dividing with a double DNA content characteristic of G2/M arrest. The effect of the toxin on the cell is so striking that it captivated scientists for a long time. However, its mechanism of action had remained elusive.