Plasmid encoded neurotoxin genes in Clostridium botulinum serotype A subtypes.
Clostridium botulinum, an important pathogen of humans and animals, produces botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), the most poisonous toxin known. We have determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and Southern hybridizations that the genes encoding BoNTs in strains Loch Maree (subtype A3) and 657Ba (type B and subtype A4) are located on large (approximately 280 kb) plasmids. This is the first demonstration of plasmid-borne neurotoxin genes in Clostridium botulinum serotypes A and B. The finding of BoNT type A and B genes on extrachromosomal elements has important implications for the evolution of neurotoxigenicity in clostridia including the origin, expression, and lateral transfer of botulinum neurotoxin genes.
Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, 1925 Willow Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Kristin M
KM
Marshall
Marite
M
Bradshaw
Sabine
S
Pellett
Eric A
EA
Johnson
D015139:Blotting, Southern; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000235:genetics*; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000235:genetics*; D047013:Clostridium botulinum type A / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics*
C096323:rimabotulinumtoxinB; D001905:Botulinum Toxins; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A