B. anthracis: pathogenesis Virulence factors i capsule(poly-y-D-glutamic acid polypeptide) 11)exotoxins encoded on plasmids, three proteins; to be active, the lf and ef need to combine with pa protective antigen(PA)(82. 7 kDa) 2. lethal factor (LF)(90.2 kDa) 3. edema factor(EF)(88.9 kDa) Either lf or ef has to combine with pa to be effectivel• Virulence factors – i) capsule (poly-y-D-glutamic acid polypeptide) – ii) exotoxins – encoded on plasmids, three proteins; to be active, the LF and EF need to combine with PA. 1. protective antigen (PA) (82. 7 kDa) 2. lethal factor (LF) (90.2 kDa) 3. edema factor (EF) (88.9 kDa) Either LF or EF has to combine with PA to be effective! B. anthracis: pathogenesis