title: Bacillus anthracis pXO1 plasmid encodes a putative membrane-bound bacteriocin.
abstract: Evolutionary advantages over cousin cells in bacterial pathogens may decide about the success of a specific cell in its environment. Bacteria use a plethora of methods to defend against other cells and many devices to attack their opponents when competing for resources. Bacteriocins are antibacterial proteins that are used to eliminate competition. We report the discovery of a putative membrane-bound bacteriocin encoded by the Bacillus anthracis pathogenic pXO1 plasmid. We analyze the genomic structure of the bacteriocin operon. The proposed mechanisms of action predestine this operon as a potent competitive advantage over cohabitants of the same niche.
authors.affiliation: Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw , Banacha, Warsaw , Poland.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perlińska
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS , Pawińskiego, Warsaw , Poland.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grynberg
keywords: BXA0140; Bacillus anthracis; Bacteriocin; Cell adherence; Cell attachment; Hemolysin II; pXO1