Anthrax: Gene Expression Analysis of the Early Stages of Infection

Abstract

Control of anthrax toxin and capsule synthesis, the two major virulence factors of Bacillus anthracis, has been associated with two regulatory genes, atxA and acpA, located on virulence plasmids pXO I and pXO2, respectively. We used DNA microarrays to determine which genes in the B. anthracis genome are controlled by atxA and/or acpA. The regulation of numerous genes present on the virulence plasmids was documented and both positive and negative effects were observed. Certain atxA-regulated genes were affected synergistically in an atxA, acpA double mutants. AcpA appears to be a minor regulator with fewer targets than atxA. The newly discovered atxA-regulated targets include genes predicted to encode secreted proteins and proteins with roles in transcriptional regulation and signaling.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 08, 2004
Accession Number
ADA428329

Entities

People

  • Scott N. Peterson

Organizations

  • J. Craig Venter Institute

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cell Membrane
  • Cells
  • Cellular Structures
  • Dna Microarrays
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes
  • Genetic Phenomena
  • Genetics
  • Genome
  • Infection
  • Proteins
  • Regulations
  • Regulators
  • Technical Information Centers
  • Transcription Factors
  • Virulence
  • Wound Infections

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Microbial Pathology
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics