Increased thermal and osmotic stress resistance in Listeria monocytogenes 568 grown in the presence of trehalose due to inactivation of the phosphotrehalase-encoding gene treA.

ABSTRACT: The food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is a problem for food processors and consumers alike, as the organism is resistant to harsh environmental conditions and inimical barriers implemented to prevent the survival and/or growth of harmful bacteria. One mechanism by which listeriae mediate survival is through the accumulation of compatible solutes, such as proline, betaine and carnitine. In other bacteria, including Escherichia coli, the synthesis and accumulation of another compatible solute, trehalose, are known to aid in the survival of stressed cells. The objective of this research was to investigate trehalose metabolism in L. monocytogenes, where the sugar is thought to be transferred across the cytoplasmic membrane via a specific phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system a

SUBMITTER: Ells TC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3187093 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature