Characterisation of a Listeria monocytogenes mutant deficient in D-arabitol fermentation.
We selected and analysed a Tn917-lac Listeria monocytogenes mutant deficient in D-arabitol fermentation. Comparison of the 310-aa-long translated partial sequence of the disrupted gene with known proteins showed similarity with the phosphotransferase system galactitol-specific enzyme IIC component of the alkaliphilic Bacillus halodurans (50% identity) and of Escherichia coli (36% identity). Fermentation of 18 other carbohydrates was unimpaired, suggesting the specificity of this transmembrane permease IIC for the pentitol D-arabitol. The deficiency in D-arabitol fermentation did not alter L. monocytogenes virulence in the BALB/c mouse model after intravenous and intragastric inoculations. This fully virulent mutant is a valuable tool to study L. monocytogenes oral infection, since the antibiotic resistance marker present on the Tn917-lac transposon will efficiently select L. monocytogenes against the intestinal microflora.
Saklani-Jusforgues
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Unité d'immunophysiologie et parasitisme intracellulaire, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
Fontan
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Goossens
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D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D005260:Female; D005285:Fermentation; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000382:microbiology; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009154:Mutation; D010731:Phosphoenolpyruvate Sugar Phosphotransferase System / Q000378:metabolism; D013154:Spleen / Q000382:microbiology; D013402:Sugar Alcohols / Q000378:metabolism*; D014774:Virulence
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D013402:Sugar Alcohols; D010731:Phosphoenolpyruvate Sugar Phosphotransferase System; C014999:arabitol