Genetic and Physiological Control of Protective Antigen Synthesis by Bacillus Anthracis.
Abstract
The primary objective of the research is to improve the yields of protective antigen in culture filtrates of Bacillus anthracis. Genetic and physiological factors controlling the synthesis and accumulation of protective antigen as well as the two other components of toxin are being investigated. The following areas are being pursued: (1) Isolation of mutants altered with respect to amounts of protective antigen and toxin produced; (2) Determining whether toxin-producing strains carry plasmids and/or prophages that might be related to toxin synthesis; (3) Mapping of chromosomal genes; and (4) Assessment of physiological and metabolic factors affecting protective antigen and toxin synthesis and accumulation. Results of experiments to determine whether plasmid DNA is present in lysates of the Weybridge strain are ambiguous. It seems possible that a high molecular weight plasmid may be present. Experiments on induction of the Weybridge strain with ultraviolet light and mitomycin C suggest that the strain is a defective lysogen. Several new phages active on the Weybridge strain have been isolated and they are being tested for transducing activity. The Weybridge strain undergoes spontaneous variation (dissociation) at frequencies apparently much higher than one would expect for ordinary point mutations. Variants have been found that produce less protective antigen than the majority type but thus far none has been found that consistently produces more.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA105201
Entities
People
- Curtis B. Thorne
Organizations
- University of Massachusetts Amherst