The hydA gene encoding the H(2)-evolving hydrogenase of Clostridium perfringens: molecular characterization and expression of the gene.

A putative hydrogenase (hydA) gene of Clostridium perfringens encodes a protein with strong identity to Clostridium pasteurianum hydrogenase I. Disruption of the hydA gene abolished H(2) productivity, confirming its function. A putative butyrate kinase gene (buk) is adjacent to the hydA gene. When cultures were grown in medium with glucose, 1.8-kb hydA and 2.1-kb buk transcripts and a 3. 9-kb transcript hybridized with both hydA and buk-probe were detectable in all the exponential growth phases. In medium without glucose, these transcripts were decreased rapidly after the mid-exponential phase. These results suggest that the transcription of these two genes is probably regulated by a similar mechanism in response to glucose availability.