Molecular and genetic characterization of anaerobes: Oral presentations - Genetic regulation of virulence in Clostridium perfringens

Clostridium perfringens produces many extracellular toxins and enzymes, including alpha-toxin, theta-toxin and kappa-toxin, all of which have been implicated in gas gangrene. The production of these toxins is regulated by a two-component signal transduction system consisting of the viuR/virS operon. The sensor histidine kinase VirS activates the response regulator VirR which then activates transcription of the genes involved in toxin production.