title: Sensitive detection of Bacillus anthracis using a binding protein originating from gamma-phage.
abstract: Detection of biological weapons is a primary concern in force protection, treaty verification, and safeguarding civilian populations against domestic terrorism. One great concern is the detection of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop novel methods for rapid, simple, and precise detection of B. anthracis. Here, we report that the C-terminal region of gamma-phage lysin protein (PlyG) binds specifically to the cell wall of B. anthracis and the recombinant protein corresponding to this region (positions, 156-233), PlyGB, is available as a bioprobe for detection of B. anthracis. Our detection method, based on a membrane direct blot assay using recombinant PlyGB, was more rapid and sensitive than the gamma-phage test and was simpler and more inexpensive than genetic methods such as PCR, or immunological methods using specific antibodies. Furthermore, its specificity was comparable to the gamma-phage test. PlyGB is applicable in conventional methods instead of antibodies and could be a potent tool for detection of B. anthracis.
authors.affiliation: Department of First Forensic Science, National Research Institute of Police Science, Kashiva, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujinami
authors.forename: Yoshikazu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hirai
authors.forename: Ikuko
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Mineo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshino
authors.forename: Jiro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yasuda
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000881:Anthrax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017103:Bacillus Phages / Q000235:genetics; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016667:Bacterial Capsules / Q000502:physiology; D001694:Biological Warfare; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D015151:Immunoblotting; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009238:N-Acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine Amidase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011485:Protein Binding; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins; D004247:DNA; C465450:PlyG lysin, gamma phage; D009238:N-Acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine Amidase