Disruption of the gene (spo0A) encoding sporulation transcription factor blocks endospore formation and enterotoxin production in enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens type A.

This study identified a functional spo0A ORF in enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens type A. To evaluate the function of spo0A, an isogenic spo0A knock-out mutant was constructed. The spo0A mutant was unable to form endospores and produce enterotoxin, however, these defects could be restored by complementing the mutant with a recombinant plasmid carrying the wild-type spo0A gene. These results provide evidence that spo0A expression is essential for sporulation and enterotoxin production in C. perfringens.