Requirement for Phosphate for Elaboration of Protective Antigen of Bacillus Anthracis and Its Partial Replacement by Charcoal,

Abstract

Retention of protective antigen of Bacillus anthracis on columns of diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose was inhibited by the 0.01 M phosphate salts in the standard growth medium. Reduction in the concentration of phosphate to 0.001 M allowed satisfactory retention of antigen on DEAE cellulose, but decreased significantly the elaboration of antigen during growth of the cultures. Growth remained normal at phosphate concentrations as low as 0.0001 M. Inhibition of antigen elaboration in media containing reduced concentrations of phosphate was overcome by addition of 0.006% (w/v) charcoal. It is suggested that antigen elaboration, like encapsulation of virulent strains, is stimulated in the presence of an adsorbent. However, a nonencapsulated strain derived from an F mutant exhibited the same requirement for adsorbent as those derived from the parent strain. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1970
Accession Number
AD0872457

Entities

People

  • Beatrice M. Swanson
  • George G. Wright
  • Lorell H. Angelety

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Adsorbents
  • Cellulose
  • Coatings
  • Encapsulation
  • Inhibition
  • Microcapsules
  • Standards

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Immunology
  • Microbial Pathology