MudPIT profiling reveals a link between anaerobic metabolism and the alkaline adaptive response of Listeria monocytogenes EGD-e.
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne human pathogen capable of causing life-threatening disease in susceptible populations. Previous proteomic analysis we performed demonstrated that different strains of L. monocytogenes initiate a stringent response when subjected to alkaline growth conditions. Here, using multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT), we show that in L. monocytogenes EGD-e this response involves an energy shift to anaerobic pathways in response to the extracellular pH environment. Importantly we show that this supports a reduction in relative lag time following an abrupt transition to low oxygen tension culture conditions. This has important implications for the packaging of fresh and ready-to-eat foods under reduced oxygen conditions in environments where potential exists for alkaline adaptation.
Food Safety Centre, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, School of Agricultural Science, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. nilssonr@utas.edu.au
Rolf E
RE
Nilsson
Tom
T
Ross
John P
JP
Bowman
Margaret L
ML
Britz
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000378:metabolism*; D010085:Oxidative Phosphorylation; D040901:Proteomics