Variations in expression and release of botulinum neurotoxin in Clostridium botulinum type A strains.
In this study, we characterized the production and release of botulinum neurotoxin during growth of two Clostridium botulinum strains, Hall A and NCTC2916, of distinct gene organizations. The intra- and extracellular fractions of the bacterial cells harvested at various stages of growth were analyzed for the neurotoxin. Both strains exhibited a temporal neurotoxin gene expression; however, these two strains differ in their patterns of growth, toxin production, toxin release, and post-translational nicking. Comparing to the NCTC2916 strain, the Hall A strain showed an extended stationary phase, delayed autolysis, and earlier expression and release of neurotoxin. Understanding the differences between these two toxin-producing strains may provide insights into the toxinogenesis of C. botulinum.
Rao
Sphoorthy
S
Biological Sciences Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California 91768, USA.
Starr
Renate L
RL
Morris
Melissa G
MG
Lin
Wei-Jen
WJ
D001433:Bacteriolysis; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D001906:Botulism / Q000382:microbiology*; D047013:Clostridium botulinum type A / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005516:Food Microbiology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013045:Species Specificity
D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A