PAthogeny
Anthrax lethal toxin lyses macrophages derived from certain inbred mice but not others, forming the basis of a bioassay widely used in the development of antibodies and drugs to treat anthrax.
Two genes essential for this lysis have been identified, revealing potential links between toxin-induced proteolysis and cellular killing.
References
Boyden ED, Dietrich WF. Nalp1b controls mouse macrophage susceptibility to anthrax lethal toxin. Nat Genet. 2006 Feb;38(2):240-4. PMID: #16429160#
Bugge TH, Leppla SH. Anthrax target in macrophages unveiled. Nat Genet. 2006 Feb;38(2):137-138. PMID: #16444249#
Chensue SW. Exposing a killer: pathologists angle for anthrax. Am J Pathol. 2003 Nov;163(5):1699-702. PMID: #14578167#