Plasmid detection in a bacteriocinogenic strain of Clostridium perfringens.

Bacteriocinogenic Clostridium perfringens, strain 28, harboured plasmid DNA detectable by dye-bouyant density-gradient centrifugation. This plasmid DNA was absent from an ultraviolet light cured variant which had simultaneously lost its immunity and ability to produce bacteriocin. Agarose gel electrophoresis of the plasmid DNA revealed at least six bands but denaturation experiments suggested three plasmids occurring in more than one conformation. Electron microscopy revealed three major size distributions of circular DNA of molecular weights 1,5,6, and 7.1 megadaltons. Some evidence suggests that the 5.6 megadalton plasmid may control bacteriocin 28 production.