Bacillus anthracis, a spore-forming bacterium, is the causative agent of anthrax. Virulent strains are encapsulated and secrete two toxins composed of three proteins: the protective antigen 83 (PA83; 83 kDa), the lethal factor (LF; 85 kDa), and the edema factor (EF; 89 kDa). Intravenous injection of the lethal toxin (Letx; PA83 plus LF) into animals causes sudden death. PA83 binds via domain 4 to a ubiquitous proteinaceous cell receptor which has been identified as the anthrax toxin receptor). PA83 is then cleaved at a site in domain 1 by furin-like proteases into PA63 and PA20 (a 20-kDa amino-terminal fragment). This processing leads to the heptamerization of PA63 (24) and the subsequent binding of EF or LF. PA83 is therefore a key protein, promoting both the binding of the toxins to the cell surface and the translocation of their enzymatic moieties into the cytoplasm of the host cell.

The antibody is stable for at least 1 year from the date of receipt when stored at -20°C to -70°C. Reconstituted antibody can also be aliquotted and stored at 4°C for 1 month or at -20°C to -70°C in a manual defrost freezer for many months without detectable loss activity. Please avoid freeze-thaw cycles.

This antibody specifically binds to Bacillus anthracis PA83.