T. Mizote et al., UREASE-INDEPENDENT CHEMOTACTIC RESPONSES OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI TO UREA, UREASE INHIBITORS, AND SODIUM-BICARBONATE, Infection and immunity, 65(4), 1997, pp. 1519-1521
Helicobacter pylori CPY3401 and an isogenic urease-negative mutant, HP
T73, showed chemotactic responses to urea, flurofamide (a potent ureas
e inhibitor), and sodium bicarbonate. Since urea and sodium bicarbonat
e are secreted through the gastric epithelial surface and hydrolysis o
f urea by urease on the bacterial surface is essential for colonizatio
n, the chemotactic response of H. pylori may be crucial for its coloni
zation and persistence in the stomach.