Department of Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics, Arrhenius Laboratories for Natural Sciences, Stockholm University, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
Cellular Biotechnology, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Baldiri Reixac 15-21, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
Biol Chem. 2010 Feb-Mar;391(2-3):229-234. doi: 10.1515/bc.2010.017.
Bacillus anthracis is a severe mammalian pathogen. The deoxyribonucleotides necessary for DNA replication and repair are provided via the ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) enzyme. RNR is also important for spore germination and cell proliferation upon infection. We show that the expression of B. anthracis class Ib RNR responds to the environment that the pathogen encounters upon infection. We also show that several anti-proliferative agents (radical scavengers) specifically inhibit the B. anthracis RNR. Owing to the importance of RNR in the pathogenic infection process, our results highlight a promising potential to inhibit the growth of B. anthracis early during infection.
炭疽芽孢杆菌是一种严重的哺乳动物病原体。用于 DNA 复制和修复的脱氧核苷酸是通过核糖核苷酸还原酶 (RNR) 提供的。RNR 对孢子萌发和感染后细胞增殖也很重要。我们表明，炭疽杆菌 Ib 类 RNR 的表达会响应病原体在感染过程中遇到的环境。我们还表明，几种抗增殖剂（自由基清除剂）特异性抑制炭疽杆菌 RNR。由于 RNR 在致病感染过程中的重要性，我们的结果突出了在感染早期抑制炭疽杆菌生长的有希望的潜力。
