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Yammine J, Doulgeraki AI, O'Byrne CP, Gharsallaoui A, Chihib NE, Karam L. The impact of different acidic conditions and food substrates on Listeria monocytogenes biofilms development and removal using nanoencapsulated carvacrol. Int J Food Microbiol 2024; 416:110676. [PMID: 38507974 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2024.110676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes biofilms present a significant challenge in the food industry. This study explores the impact of different acidic conditions of culture media and food matrices on the development and removal of biofilms developed on stainless steel surfaces by wild-type (WT) L. monocytogenes strains as well as in two mutant derivatives, ΔsigB and ΔagrA, that have defects in the general stress response and quorum sensing, respectively. Additionally, the study investigates the efficacy of nanoencapsulated carvacrol as an antimicrobial against L. monocytogenes biofilms developed in Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) culture media acidified to different pH conditions (3.5, 4.5, 5.5, 6.5), and in food substrates (apple juice, strained yogurt, vegetable soup, semi-skimmed milk) having the same pH levels. No biofilm formation was observed for all L. monocytogenes strains at pH levels of 3.5 and 4.5 in both culture media and food substrates. However, at pH 5.5 and 6.5, increased biofilm levels were observed in both the culture media and food substrates, with the WT strain showing significantly higher biofilm formation (3.04-6.05 log CFU cm-2) than the mutant strains (2.30-5.48 log CFU cm-2). For both applications, the nanoencapsulated carvacrol demonstrated more potent antimicrobial activity against biofilms developed at pH 5.5 with 2.23 to 3.61 log reductions, compared to 1.58-2.95 log reductions at pH 6.5, with mutants being more vulnerable in acidic environments. In food substrates, nanoencapsulated carvacrol induced lower log reductions (1.58-2.90) than the ones in TSB (2.02-3.61). These findings provide valuable insights into the impact of different acidic conditions on the development of L. monocytogenes biofilms on stainless steel surfaces and the potential application of nanoencapsulated carvacrol as a biofilm control agent in food processing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jina Yammine
- Univ Lille, CNRS, INRAE, Centrale Lille, UMR 8207 - UMET - Unité Matériaux et Transformations, Lille, France
| | - Agapi I Doulgeraki
- Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Hygiene, Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Conor P O'Byrne
- Bacterial Stress Response Group, Microbiology, School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Adem Gharsallaoui
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, LAGEPP UMR 5007, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Nour-Eddine Chihib
- Univ Lille, CNRS, INRAE, Centrale Lille, UMR 8207 - UMET - Unité Matériaux et Transformations, Lille, France
| | - Layal Karam
- Human Nutrition Department, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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2
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Sévellec Y, Ascencio E, Douarre PE, Félix B, Gal L, Garmyn D, Guillier L, Piveteau P, Roussel S. Listeria monocytogenes: Investigation of Fitness in Soil Does Not Support the Relevance of Ecotypes. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:917588. [PMID: 35770178 PMCID: PMC9234652 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.917588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a ubiquitous bacterium that causes the serious foodborne illness listeriosis. Although soil is a primary reservoir and a central habitat for Lm, little information is available on the genetic features underlying the fitness of Lm strains in this complex habitat. The aim of this study was to identify (i) correlations between the strains fitness in soil, their origin and their phylogenetic position (ii) identify genetic markers allowing Lm to survive in the soil. To this end, we assembled a balanced panel of 216 Lm strains isolated from three major ecological compartments (outdoor environment, animal hosts, and food) and from 33 clonal complexes occurring worldwide. The ability of the 216 strains to survive in soil was tested phenotypically. Hierarchical clustering identified three phenotypic groups according to the survival rate (SR): phenotype 1 “poor survivors” (SR < 2%), phenotype 2 “moderate survivors” (2% < SR < 5%) and phenotype 3 “good survivors” (SR > 5%). Survival in soil depended neither on strains’ origin nor on their phylogenetic position. Genome-wide-association studies demonstrated that a greater number of genes specifically associated with a good survival in soil was found in lineage II strains (57 genes) than in lineage I strains (28 genes). Soil fitness was mainly associated with variations in genes (i) coding membrane proteins, transcription regulators, and stress resistance genes in both lineages (ii) coding proteins related to motility and (iii) of the category “phage-related genes.” The cumulative effect of these small genomic variations resulted in significant increase of soil fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Sévellec
- Maisons-Alfort Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Eliette Ascencio
- Agroecologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRAE, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, Dijon, France
| | - Pierre-Emmanuel Douarre
- Maisons-Alfort Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Benjamin Félix
- Maisons-Alfort Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Laurent Gal
- Agroecologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRAE, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, Dijon, France
| | - Dominique Garmyn
- Agroecologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRAE, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, Dijon, France
| | - Laurent Guillier
- Risk Assessment Department, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - Sophie Roussel
- Maisons-Alfort Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France
- *Correspondence: Sophie Roussel,
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3
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In Vitro Evolution of Listeria monocytogenes Reveals Selective Pressure for Loss of SigB and AgrA Function at Different Incubation Temperatures. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0033022. [PMID: 35583325 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00330-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The alternative sigma factor B (σB) contributes to the stress tolerance of the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes by upregulating the general stress response. We previously showed that σB loss-of-function mutations arise frequently in strains of L. monocytogenes and suggested that mild stresses might favor the selection of such mutations. In this study, we performed in vitro evolution experiments (IVEE) where L. monocytogenes was allowed to evolve over 30 days at elevated (42°C) or lower (30°C) incubation temperatures. Isolates purified throughout the IVEE revealed the emergence of sigB operon mutations at 42°C. However, at 30°C, independent alleles in the agr locus arose, resulting in the inactivation of Agr quorum sensing. Colonies of both sigB mutants and agr mutants exhibited a greyer coloration on 7-days-old agar plates than those of the parental strain. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a more complex colony architecture in the wild type than in the mutant strains. sigB mutant strains outcompeted the parental strain at 42°C but not at 30°C, while agr mutant strains showed a small increase in competitive fitness at 30°C. Analysis of 40,080 L. monocytogenes publicly available genome sequences revealed a high occurrence rate of premature stop codons in both the sigB and agrCA loci. An analysis of a local L. monocytogenes strain collection revealed 5 out of 168 strains carrying agrCA alleles. Our results suggest that the loss of σB or Agr confer an increased competitive fitness in some specific conditions and this likely contributes to the emergence of these alleles in strains of L. monocytogenes. IMPORTANCE To withstand environmental aggressions, L. monocytogenes upregulates a large regulon through the action of the alternative sigma factor B (σB). However, σB becomes detrimental for L. monocytogenes growth under mild stresses, which confer a competitive advantage to σB loss-of-function alleles. Temperatures of 42°C, a mild stress, are often employed in mutagenesis protocols of L. monocytogenes and promote the emergence of σB loss-of-function alleles in the sigB operon. In contrast, lower temperatures of 30°C promote the emergence of Agr loss-of-function alleles, a cell-cell communication mechanism in L. monocytogenes. Our findings demonstrate that loss-of-function alleles emerge spontaneously in laboratory-grown strains. These alleles rise in the population as a consequence of the trade-off between growth and survival imposed by the activation of σB in L. monocytogenes. Additionally, our results demonstrate the importance of identifying unwanted hitchhiker mutations in newly constructed mutant strains.
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Lourenco A, Linke K, Wagner M, Stessl B. The Saprophytic Lifestyle of Listeria monocytogenes and Entry Into the Food-Processing Environment. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:789801. [PMID: 35350628 PMCID: PMC8957868 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.789801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is an environmentally adapted saprophyte that can change into a human and animal bacterial pathogen with zoonotic potential through several regulatory systems. In this review, the focus is on the occurrence of Listeria sensu stricto and sensu lato in different ecological niches, the detection methods, and their analytical limitations. It also highlights the occurrence of L. monocytogenes genotypes in the environment (soil, water, and wildlife), reflects on the molecular determinants of L. monocytogenes for the saprophytic lifestyle and the potential for antibiotic resistance. In particular, the strain-specific properties with which some genotypes circulate in wastewater, surface water, soil, wildlife, and agricultural environments are of particular interest for the continuously updating risk analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Lourenco
- Department of Food Biosciences, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Co. Cork, Ireland
- Unit for Food Microbiology, Institute for Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kristina Linke
- Unit for Food Microbiology, Institute for Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Wagner
- Unit for Food Microbiology, Institute for Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Competence Center for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation, Tulln, Austria
| | - Beatrix Stessl
- Unit for Food Microbiology, Institute for Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
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Black Z, Balta I, Black L, Naughton PJ, Dooley JSG, Corcionivoschi N. The Fate of Foodborne Pathogens in Manure Treated Soil. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:781357. [PMID: 34956145 PMCID: PMC8702830 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.781357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this review was to provide an update on the complex relationship between manure application, altered pathogen levels and antibiotic resistance. This is necessary to protect health and improve the sustainability of this major farming practice in agricultural systems based on high levels of manure production. It is important to consider soil health in relation to environment and land management practices in the context of the soil microflora and the introduction of pathogens on the health of the soil microbiome. Viable pathogens in manure spread on agricultural land may be distributed by leaching, surface run-off, water source contamination and contaminated crop removal. Thus it is important to understand how multiple pathogens can persist in manures and on soil at farm-scale and how crops produced under these conditions could be a potential transfer route for zoonotic pathogens. The management of pathogen load within livestock manure is a potential mechanism for the reduction and prevention of outbreaks infection with Escherichia coli, Listeria Salmonella, and Campylobacter. The ability of Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella to combat environmental stress coupled with their survival on food crops and vegetables post-harvest emphasizes the need for further study of these pathogens along with the emerging pathogen Providencia given its link to disease in the immunocompromised and its’ high levels of antibiotic resistance. The management of pathogen load within livestock manure has been widely recognized as a potential mechanism for the reduction and prevention of outbreaks infection but any studies undertaken should be considered as region specific due to the variable nature of the factors influencing pathogen content and survival in manures and soil. Mediocre soils that require nutrients could be one template for research on manure inputs and their influence on soil health and on pathogen survival on grassland and in food crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Black
- Grassland and Plant Sciences Branch, AFBI Crossnacreevy, Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, United Kingdom.,Bacteriology Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, United Kingdom.,Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, United Kingdom
| | - Igori Balta
- Bacteriology Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, United Kingdom.,Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, Banat University of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, King Michael I of Romania, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Lisa Black
- Grassland and Plant Sciences Branch, AFBI Crossnacreevy, Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick J Naughton
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, United Kingdom
| | - James S G Dooley
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolae Corcionivoschi
- Bacteriology Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, United Kingdom.,Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, Banat University of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, King Michael I of Romania, Timisoara, Romania
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6
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Truong H, Garmyn D, Gal L, Fournier C, Sevellec Y, Jeandroz S, Piveteau P. Plants as a realized niche for Listeria monocytogenes. Microbiologyopen 2021; 10:e1255. [PMID: 34964288 PMCID: PMC8710918 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a human pathogen. It is the causative agent of listeriosis, the leading cause of bacterial-linked foodborne mortality in Europe and elsewhere. Outbreaks of listeriosis have been associated with the consumption of fresh produce including vegetables and fruits. In this review we summarize current data providing direct or indirect evidence that plants can serve as habitat for L. monocytogenes, enabling this human pathogen to survive and grow. The current knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the interaction of this bacterium with plants is addressed, and whether this foodborne pathogen elicits an immune response in plants is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoai‐Nam Truong
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAEUniversity Bourgogne Franche‐ComtéDijonFrance
| | - Dominique Garmyn
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAEUniversity Bourgogne Franche‐ComtéDijonFrance
| | - Laurent Gal
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAEUniversity Bourgogne Franche‐ComtéDijonFrance
| | - Carine Fournier
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAEUniversity Bourgogne Franche‐ComtéDijonFrance
| | - Yann Sevellec
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria UnitParis‐Est UniversityMaisons‐AlfortCedexFrance
| | - Sylvain Jeandroz
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAEUniversity Bourgogne Franche‐ComtéDijonFrance
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7
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Holden N, Kredics L, Barak J. Thematic issue on Human Pathogens in the Environment: biology and risk factors. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2021; 367:5831761. [PMID: 32379326 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnaa068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Holden
- Cell & Molecular Sciences, the James Hutton Institute, Dundee, DD2 5DA, UK
| | - László Kredics
- Department of Microbiology, Facuclty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52 H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Jeri Barak
- University of Wisconsin, Department of Plant Pathology, 790 Russell Labs, 1630 Linden Dr, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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8
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Brunhede MZ, Santos PTD, Gal L, Garmyn D, Kallipolitis BH, Piveteau P. LisRK is required for optimal fitness of Listeria monocytogenes in soil. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2020; 367:5986613. [PMID: 33202028 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnaa188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen responsible for the disease listeriosis. It is ubiquitously found in the environment and soil is one of its natural habitats. Listeria monocytogenes is highly capable of coping with various stressful conditions. We hypothesized that stress-responsive two-component systems such as LisRK might contribute to the adaptation of L. monocytogenes to the soil environment. Indeed, investigations of the population dynamics of wild-type and mutant strains suggest an important role of LisRK for optimal fitness of L. monocytogenes in sterile soil. Results from non-sterile soil showed that the parental strain was capable of surviving longer than mutant strains lacking lisRK or genes encoding the LisRK-regulated LhrC small RNAs (sRNAs), suggesting that LisRK as well as the LhrC sRNAs were important for survival. Transcription of five LisRK-regulated genes was assessed after 1 h incubation in sterile soil. We observed that LisRK and the LhrC sRNAs contribute to the upregulation of lmo2522 in the soil environment. Notably, lmo2522 encodes an equivalent of the resuscitation promoting factors, Rpfs, in actinobacteria. Collectively, our study demonstrates that LisRK is important for growth and survival in sterile and non-sterile soil and suggests a role for LisRK-regulation of Lmo2522 in resuscitation from dormancy in the soil environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Z Brunhede
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRAE, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Patrícia T Dos Santos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Laurent Gal
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRAE, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Dominique Garmyn
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRAE, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Birgitte H Kallipolitis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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9
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Factors contributing to Listeria monocytogenes transmission and impact on food safety. Curr Opin Food Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cofs.2020.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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10
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Kannan S, Balakrishnan J, Govindasamy A. Listeria monocytogens - Amended understanding of its pathogenesis with a complete picture of its membrane vesicles, quorum sensing, biofilm and invasion. Microb Pathog 2020; 149:104575. [PMID: 33091581 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous, intracellular foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis in animals and humans. Pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes easily adapted to the conditions of human gastrointestinal tract and tolerate the counter changes such as acidity, bile, osmolarity, and antimicrobial peptides. They secrete specialized biologically active extra organ called membrane vesicles which comprises proteins, lipids, and lipopolysaccharides. Listerial vesicles possess functional versatility and play a significant role in pathogenesis by cell-free intercellular communication and toxin packaging. L. monocytogenes can attach promptly and decisively to inert substratum including intestinal mucosa, and forms biofilms and causes detrimental effects. Further, they invade the host cells through quorum sensing (QS) controlled virulence determinants and biofilms. The precise degree to which the bacterium retains the intracellular ambiance of host cells remains unknown. The machinery associated with intracellular survival, and the role of membrane vesicles, quorum sensing, and the Agr system in Listeria monocytogenes largely remains unclear. The current review focused to understand the role of membrane vesicles mediated pathogenesis biofilms, and delivers auxiliary impetus to understanding the potentials of virulence mediated invasion in Listeria monocytogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suganya Kannan
- Central Research Laboratory, Vinayaka Mission's Medical College and Hospital, Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation (Deemed to be University), Karaikal, India.
| | - Jeyakumar Balakrishnan
- Central Research Laboratory, Vinayaka Mission's Medical College and Hospital, Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation (Deemed to be University), Karaikal, India
| | - Ambujam Govindasamy
- Department of General Surgery, Vinayaka Mission's Medical College and Hospital, Vinayaka Mission Research Foundation (Deemed to be University), Karaikal, India
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11
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Guerreiro DN, Arcari T, O'Byrne CP. The σ B-Mediated General Stress Response of Listeria monocytogenes: Life and Death Decision Making in a Pathogen. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1505. [PMID: 32733414 PMCID: PMC7358398 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensing and responding to environmental cues is critical for the adaptability and success of the food-borne bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. A supramolecular multi-protein complex known as the stressosome, which acts as a stress sensing hub, is responsible for orchestrating the activation of a signal transduction pathway resulting in the activation of σB, the sigma factor that controls the general stress response (GSR). When σB is released from the anti-sigma factor RsbW, a rapid up-regulation of the large σB regulon, comprised of ≥ 300 genes, ensures that cells respond appropriately to the new environmental conditions. A diversity of stresses including low pH, high osmolarity, and blue light are known to be sensed by the stressosome, resulting in a generalized increase in stress resistance. Appropriate activation of the stressosome and deployment of σB are critical to fitness as there is a trade-off between growth and stress protection when the GSR is deployed. We review the recent developments in this field and describe an up-to-date model of how this sensory organelle might integrate environmental signals to produce an appropriate activation of the GSR. Some of the outstanding questions and challenges in this fascinating field are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duarte N Guerreiro
- Bacterial Stress Response Group, Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Talia Arcari
- Bacterial Stress Response Group, Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Conor P O'Byrne
- Bacterial Stress Response Group, Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
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