Pentapeptide sharing between Corynebacterium diphtheria toxin and the human neural protein network.

We describe the pentapeptides shared between the Corynebacterium diphtheria toxin and the human proteins associated with fundamental neural functions. We report that diphtheria toxin pentapeptides are spread among human antigens such as tuberous sclerosis proteins 1 and 2, reelin, contactin-4, neuroligins, semaphorin-5A, sodium channel protein type 1 subunit α, Williams-Beuren syndrome chromosomal region 1 protein, Williams-Beuren syndrome chromosomal region 20A protein. Williams-Beuren syndrome chromosomal region 8 protein, Bardet-Biedl syndrome 9 protein, Bardet-Biedl syndrome 10 protein, oligodendrocyte-myelin glycoprotein, neurofibromin-2, and periaxin. The data are discussed in relation to the bacterial immune escape phenomenon, and in the context of potential cross-reactions in diagnostic tests and immune therapies.