Anthrax-toxin component deciphered. (Science News This Week).Images depict the molecular structure of edema edema (ĭdē`mə), abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body tissues or in the body cavities causing swelling or distention of the affected parts. factor, a component of the anthrax anthrax (ăn`thrăks), acute infectious disease of animals that can be secondarily transmitted to humans. It is caused by a bacterium (Bacillus anthracis toxin. The X-ray diffraction models show the molecule before it enters a cell (top left) and once inside (top right). The two bottom images show the opposite side of the molecule in each form. The twisted form inside cells interacts with a substance called calmodulin calmodulin /cal·mod·u·lin/ (kal-mod´u-lin) a calcium-binding protein present in all nucleated cells; it mediates a variety of cellular reponses to calcium. cal·mod·u·lin n. (not shown). Thus activated, edema factor spurs fluid overproduction o·ver·pro·duce tr.v. o·ver·pro·duced, o·ver·pro·duc·ing, o·ver·pro·duc·es To produce in excess of need or demand. o , or edema, says researcher Andrew Bohm of the Boston Biomedical Research Institute in Watertown, Mass. Knowing the structure, described in the Jan. 24 Nature, may help scientists neutralize edema factor. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] |
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