Transcriptional responses of Listeria monocytogenes to low-temperature stress reveal distinct adaptive mechanisms in the absence of BKD and PrfA activation.

ABSTRACT: Listeria monocytogenes, a foodborne pathogen capable of growth at refrigeration temperatures, represents a significant public health challenge. Its ability to grow at low temperatures is mediated by incorporation of high levels of branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) into its membrane. This adaptation is crucial for maintaining optimal membrane fluidity and function under harsh conditions. L. monocytogenes synthesizes BCFAs through a pathway that is linked to branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) degradation, a process critically dependent on the branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase (BKD) enzyme, which catalyzes a key step in converting BCAAs into precursors for BCFA synthesis. While BKD contributes to membrane integrity and supports virulence, the master regulator of virulence factors in L

SUBMITTER: Chowdhury M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12751926 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature