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Potent inhibitors of anthrax lethal factor from green tea
Author(s) -
Dell'Aica Isabella,
Donà Massimo,
Tonello Fiorella,
Piris Alejandro,
Mock Michèle,
Montecucco Cesare,
Garbisa Spiridione
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.1038/sj.embor.7400118
Subject(s) - catechin , mapk/erk pathway , polyphenol , epigallocatechin gallate , cytotoxic t cell , kinase , green tea , chemistry , bacillus anthracis , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , pharmacology , virology , biochemistry , bacteria , antioxidant , in vitro , food science , genetics
The anthrax lethal factor (LF) has a major role in the development of anthrax. LF is delivered by the protective antigen (PA) inside the cell, where it exerts its metalloprotease activity on the N‐terminus of MAPK‐kinases. PA+LF are cytotoxic to macrophages in culture and kill the Fischer 344 rat when injected intravenously. We describe here the properties of some polyphenols contained in green tea as powerful inhibitors of LF metalloproteolytic activity, and how the main catechin of green tea, (−)epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate, prevents the LF‐induced death of macrophages and Fischer 344 rats.