TitleAntisense-RNA-mediated decreased synthesis of small, acid-soluble spore proteins leads to decreased resistance of clostridium perfringens spores to moist heat and UV radiation.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2007
AuthorsRaju, D, Setlow, P, Sarker, MR
JournalApplied and environmental microbiology
Volume73
Issue7
Pagination2048-53
Date Published2007 Apr
KeywordsUltraviolet Rays
Abstract

Previous work has suggested that a group of alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins (SASP) is involved in the resistance of Clostridium perfringens spores to moist heat. However, this suggestion is based on the analysis of C. perfringens spores lacking only one of the three genes encoding alpha/beta-type SASP in this organism. We have now used antisense RNA to decrease levels of alpha/beta-type SASP in C. perfringens spores by approximately 90%. These spores had significantly reduced resistance to both moist heat and UV radiation but not to dry heat. These results clearly demonstrate the important role of alpha/beta-type SASP in the resistance of C. perfringens spores.