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Pinpointing anthrax-toxin inhibitors

Nature Biotechnology volume 20, pages 118–119 (2002)Cite this article

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Anthrax toxin consists of three components: protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF), and edema factor (EF). Individually, they are nontoxic. Cell internalization requires that the PA first undergo proteolytic activation; it is then able to form the heptameric complex that binds to the EF/LF factors. It is this complete toxin that is lethal to cells1. In the October issue, Mourez et al. (Nat. Biotechnol. 19, 958–961, 2001) described a non-natural peptide bound to a flexible polymeric backbone. It inhibits the binding of the PA heptamer to the EF/LF factors, thereby preventing the formation of the toxin's lethal form. Indeed, this molecule protected rats against a lethal dose of anthrax toxin.

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Figure 1: The tetrapeptide-binding site of anthrax toxin.

References

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  1. Department of Chemistry, Central Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QH, UK

    Meir Glick, Guy H. Grant & W. Graham Richards

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  1. Meir Glick
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  2. Guy H. Grant
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  3. W. Graham Richards
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Glick, M., Grant, G. & Richards, W. Pinpointing anthrax-toxin inhibitors. Nat Biotechnol 20, 118–119 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0202-118

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