University of Texas System

The University of Chicago

Boston Biomedical Research Institute

Wei-Jen Tang

Andrew Bohm

Alfred G Gilman

The structures of Edema Factor alone and Edema Factor bound to calmodulin without substrate has been crystallized and its structure determined by x-ray crystallography. Based upon these crystal structures, a method assaying for inhibitors of infection by a bacteria is presented which comprises obtaining a potential inhibitor, obtaining a calmodulin activated adenylyl cyclase exotoxin, obtaining calmodulin, admixing the potential inhibitor, the exotoxin, and the calmodulin, and assaying to determine whether or not the potential inhibitor inhibits production of cAMP by exotoxin.

Methods and compositions relating to anthrax pathogenesis

A soluble form of adenylyl cyclase and methods of its use in screening for stimulators and inhibitors of adenylyl cyclase activity are disclosed. In one embodiment, a chimera of type I and type II adenylyl cyclases is provided. This chimera lacks transmembrane domains characteristic of adenylyl cyclases, rendering the recombinant product soluble, while retaining adenylyl cyclase function.

Growing community of inventors

Chicago, IL, United States of America

Wei-Jen Tang