Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin

Alpha-toxin is a protein of 42.5 kDa (370 amino acids) secreted by the Gram-positive anaerobe Clostridium perfringens. Alpha-toxin is a zinc-dependent phospholipase C [EC3.1.4.3] (Saint-Joanis et al, 1989; Tso and Siebel, 1989; Leslie et al, 1989; Okabe et al, 1989; Titball et al, 1991) that hydrolyzes phosphatidylcholine, lecithin, sphingomyelin in eukaryotic cell membranes (Rood, 1998). Calcium ions have been shown to be required for the specific binding of toxin to membranes prior to phospholipid cleavage (Naylor et al, 1999).

The toxin is essential for the virulence of Clostridium perfringens type A and one of the most toxic extracellular proteins produced by this organism (Awad et al, 2000; Ellemor et al, 1999; Stevens et al, 1988).

The secreted toxin has the ability to lyse erythrocytes from various ... ... ... ...
 
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Entry last modified: January 2003