Bacillus anthracis physiology and genetics

摘要: Bacillus anthracis is a member of the cereus group species (also known as "group 1 bacilli"), collection Gram-positive spore-forming soil bacteria that are non-fastidious facultative anaerobes with very similar growth characteristics and natural genetic exchange systems. Despite their close physiology genetics, B. exhibit certain species-specific phenotypes, some which related to pathogenicity. etiologic agent anthrax. Vegetative cells produce anthrax toxin proteins poly-d-glutamic acid capsule during infection mammalian hosts when cultured in conditions considered mimic host environment. The genes associated synthesis located on plasmids, pXO1 pXO2, respectively. Although plasmid content defining feature species, pXO1- pXO2-like plasmids have been identified strains more closely resemble other members group. developmental nature its pathogenic (mammalian host) environmental (soil) lifestyles make it an interesting model for study niche-specific bacterial gene expression physiology.