Better immune defense against anthrax
Scientists discover a gene in anthrax-causing bacteria may help defend against this form of bio-warfare. Spread of the deadly disease anthrax by spores of the bacterium Bacillus anthracis is a known terrorism risk and protection includes finding ways to treat the disease, according to an academic paper reviewed by Faculty of 1000.
Scientists from the University of California (San Diego) have identified a gene in B. anthracis that not only contributes to the severity of the anthrax disease but also makes it more difficult for a patient's immune system to fight the infection.
Mattias Collin, of Lund University, and Marc A. Williams, of the University of Rochester, praised the study as "a true tour de force" on the Faculty of 1000 Biology website and noted that this might provide a new way to treat anthrax poisoning. If the gene, known as ClpX, is inactivated in the anthrax-causing bacteria, the body's natural defence mechanism can better fight the disease.
"This study has indeed identified a potential treasure trove in ClpX", Colin and Williams wrote. While there is much left to learn about the exact mechanism the bacteria use ClpX to attack their hosts, the Faculty of 1000 members added the study will "unveil novel targets for therapeutic intervention in treating anthrax in human subjects.
Source: Faculty of 1000: Biology and Medicine
Related
- New technique used to profile anthrax genomeFri, 20 Mar 2009, 9:44:03 EDT
- Good bacteria can be EZ Pass for oral vaccine against anthraxMon, 16 Feb 2009, 17:29:41 EST
- Anthrax bacteria conspire with viruses to stay aliveTue, 11 Aug 2009, 20:42:52 EDT
- Single host gene may hold key to treating both ebola and anthrax infectionsThu, 20 Aug 2009, 16:21:48 EDT
- New explanation for nature's hardiest life formThu, 12 Nov 2009, 9:52:55 EST
Other sources
- A new anthrax vaccine is under developmentfrom UPIWed, 9 Sep 2009, 14:08:50 EDT
- Better immune defense against anthraxfrom Science BlogTue, 8 Sep 2009, 13:42:27 EDT
- Better immune defense against anthraxfrom Science BlogTue, 8 Sep 2009, 12:35:14 EDT
- Better immune defense against anthraxfrom PhysorgTue, 8 Sep 2009, 11:42:14 EDT
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