AEM
Home Help [Feedback] [For Subscribers] [Archive] [Search] [Contents]
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Other Versions of this Article:
AEM.02587-07v1
74/8/2391    most recent
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Copyright Information
Right arrow Books from ASM Press
Right arrow MicrobeWorld
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Artin, I.
Right arrow Articles by Rådström, P.
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Artin, I.
Right arrow Articles by Rådström, P.
Agricola
Right arrow Articles by Artin, I.
Right arrow Articles by Rådström, P.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, April 2008, p. 2391-2397, Vol. 74, No. 8
0099-2240/08/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/AEM.02587-07
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Effects of Carbon Dioxide on Neurotoxin Gene Expression in Nonproteolytic Clostridium botulinum Type E{triangledown}

Ingrid Artin,1,2,3 Andrew T. Carter,2 Elisabet Holst,3 Maria Lövenklev,1,{dagger} David R. Mason,2 Michael W. Peck,2 and Peter Rådström1*

Applied Microbiology, Lund Institute of Technology, Lund University, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden,1 Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UA, United Kingdom,2 Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden3

Received 16 November 2007/ Accepted 14 February 2008

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.


* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Applied Microbiology, Lund Institute of Technology, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden. Phone: 46 46-222 3412. Fax: 46 46-222 42 03. E-mail: Peter.Radstrom{at}tmb.lth.se

{triangledown} Published ahead of print on 29 February 2008.

{dagger} Present address: SIK—The Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology, SE-402 29 Gothenburg, Sweden.


Applied and Environmental Microbiology, April 2008, p. 2391-2397, Vol. 74, No. 8
0099-2240/08/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/AEM.02587-07
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.







Home Help [Feedback] [For Subscribers] [Archive] [Search] [Contents]
J. Bacteriol. Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. Eukaryot. Cell All ASM Journals

Copyright © 2008 by the American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.