TitleFurther characterization of Clostridium perfringens small acid soluble protein-4 (Ssp4) properties and expression.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsLi, J, Paredes-Sabja, D, Sarker, MR, McClane, BA
JournalPloS one
Volume4
Issue7
Paginatione6249
Date Published2009
KeywordsBacterial, Spores
Abstract

Clostridium perfringens type A food poisoning (FP) is usually caused by C. perfringens type A strains that carry a chromosomal enterotoxin gene (cpe) and produce spores with exceptional resistance against heat and nitrites. Previous studies showed that the extreme resistance of spores made by most FP strains is mediated, in large part, by a variant of small acid soluble protein 4 (Ssp4) that has Asp at residue 36; in contrast, the sensitive spores made by other C. perfringens type A isolates contain an Ssp4 variant with Gly at residue 36.