Analysis of expression of GroEL (Hsp60) of Clostridium difficile in response to stress

Our laboratory has previously shown that adherence of Clostridium difficile to tissue culture cells is augmented by various stresses and that GroEL, a heat shock protein, serves an adhesive function in this bacterium. In this communication, RT-PCR, SIDS-PAGE and immunoblotting were used to study the stress response in C. difficile following heat, acid or osmotic shock, iro n deprivation or presence of a subinhibitory concentration of ampicillin in the culture medium. All these stresses increased transcription of groEL an d production of GroEL to various degrees. Furthermore, the protein was foun d in membrane fractions and in the extracellular space after heat stress. ( C) 2001 Academic Press.