title: Effects of carbon dioxide on neurotoxin gene expression in nonproteolytic Clostridium botulinum Type E.
abstract: Carbon dioxide is an antimicrobial gas commonly used in modified atmosphere packaging. In the present study, the effects of carbon dioxide on the growth of and neurotoxin production by nonproteolytic Clostridium botulinum type E were studied during the growth cycle. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to quantify expression of the type E botulinum neurotoxin gene (cntE) and the formation of type E neurotoxin. The expression levels of cntE were similar in two strains, with relative expression peaking in the transition between exponential phase and stationary phase. In stationary phase, cntE mRNA expression declined rapidly. The cntE mRNA half-life was calculated to be approximately 9 minutes. Neurotoxin formation occurred in late exponential phase and stationary phase. High carbon dioxide concentrations delayed growth by increasing the lag time and decreasing the maximum growth rate. The effects of carbon dioxide concentration on relative neurotoxin gene expression and neurotoxin formation were significant. Expression of cntE mRNA and the formation of extracellular neurotoxin were twofold higher with a headspace carbon dioxide concentration of 70% (vol/vol) compared to 10% (vol/vol). This finding sheds a new, cautionary light on the potential risks of botulism associated with the use of modified atmosphere packaging.
authors.affiliation: Applied Microbiology, Lund Institute of Technology, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Artin
authors.forename: Andrew T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Elisabet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holst
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lövenklev
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Peck
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rådström
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D047970:Clostridium botulinum type E / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009498:Neurotoxins; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002245:Carbon Dioxide