anthrax toxin


an·thrax tox·in

a culture filtrate of Bacillus anthracis containing an exotoxin with at least three different antigenically distinct components: edema factor, lethal factor, and protective antigen. Synonym(s): Bacillus anthracis toxin

anthrax toxin

The three proteins made by the infectious bacterium Bacillus anthracis responsible for the deadly effects of anthrax. Anthrax toxin includes protective antigen, which helps lethal and edema factors enter and kill cells by disrupting the cell membrane's normal biochemical functions. See also: toxin