ATP-dependent Clp protease ATP-binding subunit ClpX (ClpX) (ClpX)

ATP-dependent Clp protease ATP-binding subunit ClpX (ClpX) is a vital molecular chaperone and ATPase belonging to the AAA+ family in Helicobacter pylori (UniProt: P56001). It functions as the regulatory component of the ClpXP proteolytic complex, where it identifies, unfolds, and translocates substrate proteins into the ClpP degradation chamber (PubMed: 21613457). In H. pylori, ClpX is essential for maintaining protein quality control and is specifically involved in regulating key virulence factors, including flagellar-mediated motility and urease activity (PubMed: 15937173). These factors are critical for the bacterium's survival and colonization in the acidic stomach environment. Because of its central role in bacterial physiology and pathogenesis, ClpX is an attractive target for novel antimicrobial strategies aimed at treating chronic H. pylori infections (PubMed: 30254014). While no drugs targeting ClpX are currently FDA-approved, research into small-molecule inhibitors that disrupt its ATPase activity or its interaction with ClpP is ongoing (PubMed: 25605321). Such inhibitors could potentially overcome the challenges of antibiotic resistance in H. pylori treatment.

Other names

ATP-dependent Clp protease subunit ClpXClpX chaperoneAAA+ ATPase ClpXH. pylori ClpX

Inhibition of ATPase activity or disruption of the ClpX-ClpP complex formation, leading to impaired protein degradation and bacterial cell death or reduced virulence (PubMed: 30254014).