title: Low molecular weight inhibitors of the protease anthrax lethal factor.
abstract: Anthrax Lethal Factor (LF) is a zinc-dependent metalloprotease that together with the protective antigen constitute the anthrax lethal toxin, the most prominent virulence factor of the disease anthrax. This review summarizes the current knowledge on anthrax toxicity and defense in relation to LF. Particular emphasis is placed on the structural aspects of LF, the properties of its substrates and the achievements in the design of low molecular weight inhibitors of the catalytic activity of the metalloenzyme.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Panepistimioupoli - Rion, GR-26504, Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Dalkas
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papakyriakou
authors.forename: Alexios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vlamis-Gardikas
authors.forename: Georgios A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Spyroulias
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D008970:Molecular Weight; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D002614:Chelating Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; C030325:anthrax toxin; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases