Talk:The Role of Clostridium perfringens Toxins in Gas Gangrene

Marysol,

I like the molecular biology applications you draw upon in your page. I think it is intriguing. Maybe you could include more about the pathology of Clostridium perfringens toxins and how they affect humans?

-Matt

Ew but nice page!

A very well-structured, easy-to-follow paper about the role of Clostridium perfringens strain A and its production of PLC and PFO toxins in gas gangrene disease. The Introduction section was especially effective at introducing the significance of this microbe in the medical and microbiology research fields. I was intrigued to learn that C. perfringens does not have TCA cycle enzymes for respiration, and lacks enzymes involved in and required for amino acid biosynthesis, and that the bacteria obtain most of what they need for survival from host tissue and cells. At some points while describing the processes of toxin-to-membrane insertion and attachment, however, the text of the paper seemed to lose its flow and rhythm and to the reader the ambiguity of some of the terminology used makes it difficult to process. In example, the statement “Zinc is highly important for the alpha toxin because it is essential for the toxin’s activity in vivo and has also been found to enhance alpha toxin production in vitro. Amino acid residues participate in zinc coordination and prove necessary for the toxin’s enzymatic activities,” I would have liked more clarification as to what exactly about zinc was “highly important,” “essential” and “necessary” to enhance alpha toxin activity and production. The paper would also benefit from a general streamlining of the last few sentences regarding the systems of N- and C-domains in alpha toxin toxicity. I enjoyed learning about the synergy of the toxins in the toxicity and spread of gas gangrene and the relevant studies that provided evidence of this process. Concluding with gas gangrene methods of treatment and its applications to animals as well was a well-rounded way to wrap up the investigation of the role of C. perfringens in gas gangrene. Good job! - Katie K.