Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6900
pubmed:dateCreated
2002-8-22
pubmed:databankReference
pubmed:abstractText
The dormant and durable spore form of Bacillus anthracis is an ideal biological weapon of mass destruction. Once inhaled, spores are transported by alveolar macrophages to lymph nodes surrounding the lungs, where they germinate; subsequent vegetative expansion causes an overwhelming flood of bacteria and toxins into the blood, killing up to 99% of untreated victims. Natural and genetically engineered antibiotic-resistant bacilli amplify the threat of spores being used as weapons, and heighten the need for improved treatments and spore-detection methods after an intentional release. We exploited the inherent binding specificity and lytic action of bacteriophage enzymes called lysins for the rapid detection and killing of B. anthracis. Here we show that the PlyG lysin, isolated from the gamma phage of B. anthracis, specifically kills B. anthracis isolates and other members of the B. anthracis 'cluster' of bacilli in vitro and in vivo. Both vegetative cells and germinating spores are susceptible. The lytic specificity of PlyG was also exploited as part of a rapid method for the identification of B. anthracis. We conclude that PlyG is a tool for the treatment and detection of B. anthracis.
pubmed:commentsCorrections
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Aug
pubmed:issn
0028-0836
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
22
pubmed:volume
418
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
884-9
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Amino Acid Sequence, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Animals, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Anthrax, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Bacillus anthracis, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Bacteriolysis, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Bacteriophages, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Biological Warfare, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Bioterrorism, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Disease Models, Animal, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Drug Resistance, Bacterial, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Hydrolases, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Mice, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Mice, Inbred BALB C, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Molecular Sequence Data, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Mutation, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-N-Acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine Amidase, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Sensitivity and Specificity, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Sequence Alignment, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Spores, Bacterial, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Substrate Specificity, pubmed-meshheading:12192412-Viral Proteins
pubmed:year
2002
pubmed:articleTitle
A bacteriolytic agent that detects and kills Bacillus anthracis.
pubmed:affiliation
Laboratory of Bacteriql Pathogenesis and Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.