title: [Effect of transferrin on the expression of virulence factors in Listeria monocytogenes strains].
abstract: Iron is an essential element for the great majority of microorganisms, which developed transport systems for iron acquisition, because during the colonization and invasion processes the microorganisms encounter iron-limiting conditions. The bacterial genes implicated in the iron transport and those codifying for other virulence factors are simultaneously depressed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of transferrin on the virulence factors expression in food isolated Listeria monocytogenes strains. Our results showed that transferrin stimulates the bacterial growth rates, as well as the adherence and invasion capacity (27 x 10(4) CFU/ml vs 13 x 10(4) CFU/ml) to cellular substrate and inert one (as shown by slime test). Transferrin also induced the secretion of haemolysins, amylases and lecithinases, demonstrating the role of iron ions in the virulence genes derepression and the simulation of bacterial growth rate.
authors.affiliation: Universitatea Bucureşti, Facultatea de Biologie.
authors.forename: Grigore
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mihăescu
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Manolescu
authors.forename: Lia Mara
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Petrache
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Balotescu
authors.forename: Anca Michaela
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Israil
mesh_terms: D000681:Amylases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D010740:Phospholipases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D014168:Transferrin; D007501:Iron; D010740:Phospholipases; D000681:Amylases