Antrax Toxin Animation

[Julian Thomas]

Anthrax toxin refers to three proteins secreted by virulent strains of the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. These three proteins act together in a synergistic way in which they are endocytosed and translocated into the cytoplasm of a macrophage, where it disrupts cellular signaling and induces cell death, allowing the bacteria to evade the immune system.

The disease known as anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a spore-forming bacterium whose pathogenesis is primarily the result of a tripartite toxin. This toxin is composed of three proteins: the protective antigen (PA), the edema factor (EF) and the lethal factor (LF). These proteins work together to enter a cell and disrupt the signaling pathways, eventually leading to apoptosis. The molecular actions of PA, EF, and LF also provide a model biochemical system that demonstrates a variety of structure-function relationships seen in biochemistry.

 

http://www.biosolutions.info/2009/02/antrax-toxin-animation.html

Cheers,
Julian Thomas

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