CLOSTRIDIUM-PERFRINGENS TYPE-A ENTEROTOXIN (CPE) - MORE THAN JUST EXPLOSIVE DIARRHEA

The bacterial pathogen Clostridium perfringens is the most prolific to xin-producing species within the clostridial group. The toxins are res ponsible for a wide variety of human and veterinary diseases, many of which are lethal. C. perfringens type A strains are also associated wi th one of the most common forms of food-borne illness (FBI). The toxic osis results from the production and gastrointestinal absorption of a protein-enterotoxin known as CPE. The regulation, expression, and mech anism of action of CPE has been of considerable interest as the protei n is unique. CPE expression is sporulation associated, although the me chanism of cpe-gene regulation is not fully elucidated. Cloning studie s suggest the involvement of global regulators, but these have not bee n identified. Although very few type A strains are naturally enterotox igenic, the cpe gene appears highly conserved. in FBI strains, cpe is chromosomally encoded; whereas in Veterinary strains, cpe may be plasm id-encoded. Variation in cpe location suggests the involvement of tran sposable genetic element(s). CPE-like proteins are produced by some C. perfringens types C and D; and silent remnants of the cpe gene can be found in C. perfringens type E strains associated with the iota toxin gene. CPE has received attention for its biomedical importance. The t oxin has been implicated in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) becaus e of its superantigenic nature. CPE can destroy a wide variety of cell types both in vitro and in vive, suggesting that it could have potent ial in the construction of immunotoxins to neoplastic cells. It is obv ious that CPE is an interesting protein that deserves continued attent ion.