CHARACTERISTICS OF ANTHRAX TOXIN COMPONENTS PRODUCED IN VITRO
Abstract
Many of the biological and biophysical characteristics of the partially purified anthrax toxin components were measured. The components do not appear to be simple proteins. As the components are purified the pH range in which they are most stable narrows, centering between pH 7.4 and 7.8. Heat readily destroys the biological activity of the components but not their serological activity. All three components are serologically distinct. The rat lethality test showed that with a constant amount of lethal factor (LF) and an increasing amount of protective antigen (PA) the time to death reached a minimum and then was increased. When an increasing amount of LF was added to a constant amount of PA, the more LF that was added, the shorter the time to death. The biological, immunological, and serological properties of the components varied with storage and extent of purification so that serological activity was not always directly correlated with biological activity. Evidence is presented that the components could exist in different molecular configurations or as aggregates and that this property is influenced by the state of component purity and the environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0811816
Entities
People
- Donald C. Fish
- James P. Dobbs
- Ralph E. Lincoln