Fusobacterium adhesin A (FadA)

Fusobacterium adhesin A (FadA) is a critical virulence factor and adhesin produced by the Gram-negative anaerobe Fusobacterium nucleatum, which is significantly enriched in the tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer (CRC) and active in periodontal disease. FadA exists in a complex (FadAc) consisting of an intact pre-FadA and a mature secreted form (mFadA), which are required for the bacterium to adhere to and invade host cells. It primarily functions by binding to E-cadherin on epithelial cells or vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin on endothelial cells, triggering the activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway. This molecular interaction leads to the upregulation of transcription factors, oncogenes such as Myc and Cyclin D1, and pro-inflammatory markers that drive tumor cell proliferation and tissue inflammation. Because of its unique role in promoting bacterial-mediated carcinogenesis and dissemination, FadA is a major therapeutic target for colorectal cancer and systemic infections, with current research focused on blocking the FadA-E-cadherin interface using inhibitory peptides and monoclonal antibodies.

Other names

FadA adhesinFadAcAdhesion protein FadAmFadA

Inhibition of FadA binding to host E-cadherin or VE-cadherin to block the activation of oncogenic Wnt/beta-catenin signaling and prevent bacterial-induced inflammation and invasion.