Abstract
Anthrax not a common disease for humans is caused by large bacterium, Bacillus anthracis, producing a deadly anthrax toxin. The toxin comprises three proteins, called protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF).
These three toxic proteins are critical for the deadly effect of the anthrax bacterium, B. anthracis. One of these toxins (PA) allows the other anthrax toxin components to enter cells.
The second protein (LF) destroys immune system cells that normally defend the body. This process releases inflammatory molecules that can cause sepsis-related shock and death.
The third protein (EF) causes potentially lethal swelling and fluid buildup in the body. By itself, edema factor can be deadly.
It also makes lethal factor 10 to 100 times more potent. All these proteins create deadly triumvirate, miniature molecular machine which pierce into cells and kill them.
