Primary Citation of Related Structures:   1JI5, 1JIG
PubMed Abstract: 
Bacillus anthracis is currently under intense investigation due to its primary importance as a human pathogen. Particularly important is the development of novel anti-anthrax vaccines, devoid of the current side effects. A novel class of immunogenic bacterial proteins consists of dodecamers homologous to the DNA-binding protein of Escherichia coli (Dps) ...
Bacillus anthracis is currently under intense investigation due to its primary importance as a human pathogen. Particularly important is the development of novel anti-anthrax vaccines, devoid of the current side effects. A novel class of immunogenic bacterial proteins consists of dodecamers homologous to the DNA-binding protein of Escherichia coli (Dps). Two Dps homologous genes are present in the B. anthracis genome. The crystal structures of these two proteins (Dlp-1 and Dlp-2) have been determined and are presented here. They are sphere-like proteins with an internal cavity. We also show that they act as ferritins and are thus involved in iron uptake and regulation, a fundamental function during bacterial growth.
Related Citations: 
The Crystal Structure of Dps, a Ferritin Homolog that Binds and Protects DNA Grant, R.A., Filman, D.J., Finkel, S.E., Kolter, R., Hogle, J.M. (1998) Nat Struct Biol 5: 294
The Dodecameric Ferritin from Listeria innocua Contains a Novel Intersubunit Iron-binding Site Ilari, A., Stefanini, S., Chiancone, E., Tsernoglou, D. (2000) Nat Struct Biol 7: 38
Organizational Affiliation: 
Dipartimento di Chimica Organica e Centro CNR Biopolimeri, Università di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy.