Anthrax protective antigen

Anthrax protective antigen (PA) is the cell-binding part of the Bacillus anthracis anthrax toxin. The anthrax toxin is composed of the PA, lethal factor and edema factor. The PA translocates the lethal and edema factors into the cell. The 83kD form of PA (PA83) binds to the anthrax toxin receptor. A 20kD fragment is cleaved off the PA83 and the remaining PA63 assembles into ring-shaped oligomer which becomes a membrane pre-channel.
PA contains 4 domains:

• Domain 1 is the N terminal.
  
• Domain 2 is the heptamerization domain.
  
• Domain 3 has unknown function.
  
• Domain 4 is important for receptor recognition and pore formation.
  

The PA pre-channel binds the lethal and edema factors allowing them to penetrate the membrane via pH gradient. For more details see Molecular Playground/Protective Antigen.

3D structures of anthrax protective antigen3D structures of anthrax protective antigen

Updated on 17-November-2014

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• PA83
  • 1acc, 3tew, 3q8a, 3q8b, 4h2a – PA
    
  • 3tex, 3tey, 3tez, 3q8c, 3q8e, 4ee2, 4nam – PA (mutant)
    
  • 3mhz, 3q8f – PA with fluoro-histidine
    
  • 1t6b – PA + anthrax toxin receptor A/I domain
• PA63
  • 3hvd – PA63 (mutant)
    
  • 1tzo – PA63
    
  • 1tzn – PA63 + anthrax toxin receptor VWA domain
    
  • 3kwv – PA63 (mutant) + lethal factor
• PA domain 4
  • 3ino – PA domain 4
    
  • 3etb – PA domain 4 + antibody (mutant)