Poly-gamma-Glutamate Capsule-Degrading Enzyme Treatment Enhances Phagocytosis and Killing of Encapsulated Bacillus Anthracis

Abstract

The poly gamma-D-glutamic acid capsule confers antiphagocytic properties on Bacillus anthracis and is essential for virulence. In this study, we showed that two recombinant glutamylases: CapD, a gamma-polyglutamic acid depolymerase encoded on the B. anthracis capsule plasmid, and PghP, a gamma-polyglutamic acid hydrolase encoded by bacteriophage Phi, NIT1, degraded purified capsule and removed the capsule from the surface of anthrax bacilli. Treatment with CapD or PghP induced macrophage phagocytosis of encapsulated B. anthracis. Additionally, enzyme treatment enabled human neutrophils to kill encapsulated organisms. The levels of both phagocytosis and killing corresponded to the degree of capsule degradation; CapD was more effective than PghP.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 14, 2006
Accession Number
ADA460058

Entities

People

  • Angelo Scorpio
  • Arthur Friedlander
  • David K. O’brien
  • Donald J. Chabot
  • Mansour Mohamadzadeh
  • Nicholas J. Vietri
  • William A. Day
  • Yoshifumi Itoh

Organizations

  • United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Bacteria
  • Bacterial Infections
  • Bacteriophages
  • Cells
  • Cellular Structures
  • Chemotherapy
  • Fungi
  • Glutamates
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Infection
  • Macrophages
  • Microbiology
  • Peptides
  • Phagocytes
  • Vaccines

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Microbial Pathology
  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry