Scientists from the Rockefeller University report of having descovered a new protein that may be used for treatment and large-scale decontaminant against anthrax. A lysin protein called PlyPH was isolated from a bacteriophage and has been shown to have the following important properties:

• functions over an extrmely wide pH range (pH 4-8), allowing it to work under various environmental conditions
• bacteria-specific, therefore eliminates the problem of cross-resistance development

Fischetti hopes to combine PlyPH with a non-toxic aqueous substance developed by a group in California that will germinate any anthrax spores it comes in contact with. As the spores germinate, the PlyPH protein will kill them, usually in a matter of minutes. The combined solution could be used in buildings, on transportation equipment, on clothing, even on skin, providing a safe, easy way to fight the spread of anthrax in the event of a mass release.

The study is described in an article published in the Journal of Bacteriology: PlyPH, a Bacteriolytic Enzyme with a Broad pH Range of Activity and Lytic Action against Bacillus anthracis.

[Photo: A bacillus bacterium, a close relative of anthrax, begins to explode after being treated with PlyPH, from Rockefeller]