Open AccessIdentification of a novel locus that regulates expression of toxin genes in Clostridium perfringens
Author(s) -
Ohtani Kaori,
Bhowmik Sushanta K,
Hayashi Hideo,
Shimizu Tohru
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2002.tb11118.x
Subject(s) - clostridium perfringens , mutant , gene , biology , toxin , locus (genetics) , regulator gene , mutagenesis , clostridium , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , bacteria
A novel gene that regulates the α‐toxin ( plc ), κ‐toxin ( colA ), and θ‐toxin ( pfoA ) genes was identified using toxin‐negative mutant strains of Clostridium perfringens . The cloned 3.2‐kb fragment contained the virX gene encoding a 51‐amino acid polypeptide of unknown function that seemed to be responsible for the activation of toxin genes. The virX knock out mutant of wild‐type strain 13 showed a reduced expression of the plc , colA , and pfoA genes, which was complemented by the transformation of the intact virX gene. Deletion and site‐directed mutagenesis studies suggested that the virX gene acts as a regulatory RNA rather than as a peptide regulator. The virX locus found in this study might play a part in the signal transduction to regulate toxin production in C. perfringens .