Bacillus anthracis, the cause of anthrax, has been developed into a weapon of mass destruction by foreign governments and terrorist groups. The recent release of B. anthracis in the United States, with severe consequences, exposed the need for a more effective response to this threat. B. anthracis is used as a weapon largely because it forms highly resistant spores that can be incorporated into explosive weapons and terrorist devices. Spores enter the body through skin abrasions and by ingestion or inhalation and then germinate and grow as vegetative cells. When growth occurs in internal tissues, the host usually dies within several days. Natural strains of B. anthracis are sensitive to common antibiotics; however, large-scale use of these antibiotics to protect against anthrax is logistically difficult and medically dangerous. In addition, antibioticresistant strains may be used in the future. Furthermore, the current vaccine for anthrax has proven problematic. Thus, new strategies are needed to respond to the anthrax threat, and these are likely to require detailed knowledge of the interactions between the mammalian immune system and the outermost surface of the B. anthracis spore - the exosporium. The exosporium serves as the primary interactive site with host defenses, as the source of surface antigens, and as a semi-permeable barrier that excludes antibodies and destructive enzymes. The exosporium consists of a paracrystalline basal layer and an external hair-like nap. Approximately 50% of the mass of the exosporium appears to be proteins, roughly 20 unique species including glycoproteins. Preliminary studies indicate that exosporium proteins play a role in spore virulence. The goal of this project is to determine the content, structure, and function of the external surface of the exosporium. Of primary importance will be the role in virulence of surface-exposed proteins and glycoproteins. Specifically, we will (1) identify these proteins, make mutations that alter them, and examine the effects of the mutations on host-cell interactions and virulence using a mouse model. (2) We will map epitopes on key exosporium proteins, such as the collagen-like protein (BclA) of the hair-like nap, and examine the effects of antibody binding to these epitopes. Of special interest are antibodies that bind exosporium proteins and inhibit spore germination. (3) We will determine the structure of Bc1A and its domains. (4) We will examine the structure and assembly of the basal layer of the exosporium, including the attachment of the hair-like nap. The entire program project is designed to provide sufficient understanding of spore-host interactions to enable the development of new treatments for anthrax.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
5P01AI057699-05
Application #
7655513
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAI1)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2008-07-01
Budget End
2009-04-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$364,202
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Alabama Birmingham
Department
Type
DUNS #
063690705
City
Birmingham
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
35294
Tan, Li; Li, Mei; Turnbough Jr, Charles L (2011) An unusual mechanism of isopeptide bond formation attaches the collagenlike glycoprotein BclA to the exosporium of Bacillus anthracis. MBio 2:e00084-11
McPherson, Sylvia A; Li, Mei; Kearney, John F et al. (2010) ExsB, an unusually highly phosphorylated protein required for the stable attachment of the exosporium of Bacillus anthracis. Mol Microbiol 76:1527-38
Tan, Li; Turnbough Jr, Charles L (2010) Sequence motifs and proteolytic cleavage of the collagen-like glycoprotein BclA required for its attachment to the exosporium of Bacillus anthracis. J Bacteriol 192:1259-68
Dong, Shengli; McPherson, Sylvia A; Wang, Yun et al. (2010) Characterization of the enzymes encoded by the anthrose biosynthetic operon of Bacillus anthracis. J Bacteriol 192:5053-62
Yu, Cuiling; Ehrhardt, Götz R A; Alder, Matthew N et al. (2009) Inhibitory signaling potential of a TCR-like molecule in lamprey. Eur J Immunol 39:571-9
Oliva, Claudia; Turnbough Jr, Charles L; Kearney, John F (2009) CD14-Mac-1 interactions in Bacillus anthracis spore internalization by macrophages. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106:13957-62
Chesnokova, Olga N; McPherson, Sylvia A; Steichen, Christopher T et al. (2009) The spore-specific alanine racemase of Bacillus anthracis and its role in suppressing germination during spore development. J Bacteriol 191:1303-10
Dong, Shengli; Chesnokova, Olga N; Turnbough Jr, Charles L et al. (2009) Identification of the UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 4-epimerase involved in exosporium protein glycosylation in Bacillus anthracis. J Bacteriol 191:7094-101
Lisanby, Mark W; Swiecki, Melissa K; Dizon, Brian L P et al. (2008) Cathelicidin administration protects mice from Bacillus anthracis spore challenge. J Immunol 181:4989-5000
Dong, Shengli; McPherson, Sylvia A; Tan, Li et al. (2008) Anthrose biosynthetic operon of Bacillus anthracis. J Bacteriol 190:2350-9

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