B. anthracis lethal factor (LF)

Introduction

A zinc metalloproteinase, an exotoxin of Bacillus anthracis, encoded on the virulence plasmid pXO1. It complexes with another B anthracis exotoxin protective antigen. The complex (lethal toxin) facilitates entry of the toxin into host cells. Intracellularly, the zinc metalloproteinase activity inactivates MAP kinase kinase.

More general terms

• zinc metalloprotease
• exotoxin

Additional terms

• B. anthracis lethal toxin
• Bacillus anthracis
• mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (MAP2K), MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK)