The Role of Toxins in Pathogenesis of the Anthrax-Like Bacillus Cereus Strain G9241
Abstract
Bacillus cereus G9241 was the etiologic agent of a severe pulmonary infection in which the disease presentation resembled that of inhalational anthrax, an illness that is usually caused by B. anthracis. Like B. anthracis, G9241 carries two large virulence plasmids, designated pBCXO1 and pBC210. The pBCXO1 plasmid is nearly identical to the pXO1 virulence plasmid of B. anthracis and carries genes for production of the anthrax toxin components. These genes, pagA (pagA1), lef, and cya encode protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF), respectively. The pBC210 plasmid carries a homolog of PA, called PA2 (pagA2) and a gene (cer) for a novel ADP-ribosyltransferase toxin, Certhrax. Recent studies showed that Certhrax post-translationally modifies human vinculin in HeLa cells and, similar to LF and EF, requires PA for entry into cells. Here, experiments were carried out to determine the role that the anthrax toxins play in pathogenesis of G9241 and whether PA2 and Certhrax contribute to virulence as well.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 02, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1128333
Entities
People
- Yuliya Seldina
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences