difficile surface layer protein (SLP) has been Selleck MDV3100 shown to contain antigenic epitopes and play role in colonization of the bacterium to gastrointestinal tissues [8, 10]. Complete genome sequences for three of its widely studied strains; C. perfringens strain 13, C. perfringens ATCC 13124T (a gas gangrene isolate and the species type strain), and C. perfringens SM101 (enterotoxin-producing food poisoning strain) have been recently determined

and compared [12, 13]. Several striking findings have emerged from the complete genome sequencing data of this clostridial pathogen. Comparisons of the three genomes have revealed considerable genomic diversity with >300 unique “”genomic islands”" identified and using PCR based analysis it was also demonstrated that the large genomic islands were widely variable across a large collection of C. perfringens strains [12]. Proteome maps of

sequenced organism are important research tools for the authentication of hypothetical proteins, the identification of components of different cellular proteome fractions and for yielding information concerning the occurrence and abundance of proteins. Such proteome maps in the public domain have been generated for many pathogens GSK1120212 mouse and are of great value in identifying new virulence factors and the antigens of potential diagnostic and/or curative value against infections with pathogens. Despite a sudden spurt of activity towards proteomic characterization of bacterial

pathogens, for reasons unknown, clostridia have largely been ignored. Clostridium difficile is the only clostridial species for which analysis of proteome has been carried out to some extent [8, 10, 14]. To invade, multiply and colonize tissues of the host, a pathogen must be able to evade the host immune system, and obtain nutrients essential for growth. The factors involved in these complex processes are largely unknown and of crucial importance to understanding microbial pathogenesis. Growth of microorganisms FER in vitro, under conditions which mimic certain aspects of the host environment, such as temperature [15], pH [16], nutrient conditions, and interaction with host derived cells [17], can provide valuable information on microbial pathogenesis. Proteome analysis is one of the best tools for understanding the basic biology of microorganisms including pathogenesis, physiology, and mechanisms of avoiding host immune system. In this study we report identification of major surface and cell envelope proteins from Clostridium perfringens ATCC13124 and those differentially expressed in cells grown on cooked meat medium (CMM) in comparison with cells grown in reference state TPYG (tryptose-yeast extract-glucose) medium. Cooked meat medium [18] provides substrate in the form of muscle tissue, for the myonecrotic cells of C. perfringens which produces phospholipase C as one of its major virulence factor.