View source for Defending against anthrax: Cell membrane channels and drug design

By Dr. Ekaterina Nestorovich, Staff Scientist, National Institutes of Health

'''March 17, 2009'''

[http://sfcomplex.org Santa Fe Complex]

;Abstract
:The bacterium ''Bacillus anthracis'' causes the disease anthrax, the Fifth Plague mentioned in Exodus.  A key step in the pathogenesis of anthrax is secretion of proteins that form channels or openings on the surface of a host target cell.  These channels allow toxins to enter the host cell, which contributes to the symptoms of ''B. anthracis'' infection.  Studies of channel structure and function could soon lead to the development of small-molecule drugs that block the action of anthrax toxins.

Dr. Nestorovich will be introduced by Dr. William S. Hlavacek, Staff Scientist, Los Alamos National Laboratory.

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