Global Transcriptional Response of Three Highly Acid-Tolerant Field Strains of Listeria monocytogenes to HCl Stress.

ABSTRACT: Tolerance to acid is of dual importance for the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes: acids are used as a preservative, and gastric acid is one of the first defenses within the host. There are considerable differences in the acid tolerance of strains. Here we present the transcriptomic response of acid-tolerant field strains of L. monocytogenes to HCl at pH 3.0. RNAseq revealed significant differential expression of genes involved in phosphotransferase systems, oxidative phosphorylation, cell morphology, motility, and biofilm formation. Genes in the acetoin biosynthesis pathway were upregulated, suggesting that L. monocytogenes shifts to metabolizing pyruvate to acetoin under organic acid stress. We also identified the formation of cell aggregates in microcolonie

SUBMITTER: Horlbog JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6843411 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature