Identification and inactivation of genetic loci involved with Lactobacillus acidophilus acid tolerance.

ABSTRACT: Amino acid decarboxylation-antiporter reactions are one of the most important systems for maintaining intracellular pH between physiological limits under acid stress. We analyzed the Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM complete genome sequence and selected four open reading frames with similarities to genes involved with decarboxylation reactions involved in acid tolerance in several microorganisms. Putative genes encoding an ornithine decarboxylase, an amino acid permease, a glutamate gamma-aminobutyrate antiporter, and a transcriptional regulator were disrupted by insertional inactivation. The ability of L. acidophilus to survive low-pH conditions, such as those encountered in the stomach or fermented dairy foods, was investigated and compared to the abilities of early- and late-stationary-ph

SUBMITTER: Azcarate-Peril MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC520879 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature