Genetic and Physiological Control of Protective Antigen Synthesis by Bacillus Anthracis
Abstract
The primary objective of the research is to gain information and to develop genetic systems that will contribute to the development of an improved vaccine for anthrax. Genetic and physiological factors controlling the synthesis and accumulation of protective antigen as well as the two other components of anthrax toxin are being investigated. Attention was concentrated on the following areas of research during the past year: (1) Genetic exchange systems for B. anthracis; (2) The influence of the B. anthracis plasmid, pBAl, on the physiology and genetics of the organism; and (3) Mutant isolation and chromosomal mapping. We have been successful in developing a mating system in B. anthracis by introducing one or more fertility plasmids from B. thuringiensis into the Weybridge strain. The B. anthracis transcipients that received appropriate plasmids from B. thuringiensis were, in turn, able to transfer plasmids to B. cereus or to other cells of B. anthracis. In addition to the loss of ability to produce protective antigen, a number of other phenotypic changes are associated with the loss of plasmid pBAl by B. anthracis cells. It now seem probable that the change in regulation of sporulation is a primary altered characteristic and changes in colonial morphology, sensitivity to certain bacteriophages, and growth characteristics in synthetic media are direct or indirect consequences of the change in sporulation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA157333
Entities
People
- Curtis B. Thorne
Organizations
- University of Massachusetts Amherst