GSE129553
RNA-seq of desiccated Cronobacter sakazakii ATCCTM29544 on stainless steel coupons
Cronobacter sakazakii is well-known for its desiccation tolerance in the powdered infant formula (PIF) food production environment and the bacterium has been linked with high fatality rates in neonates who consume contaminated product. In this study, using deep-level RNA-sequencing, differentially expressed genes were studied in C. sakazakii ATCCTM29544 grown in simulated low-moisture environment designed to mimic the PIF production environment. Desiccation of bacteria was carried out on stainless steel coupons from which total RNA was subsequently recovered and sequenced. During 4 h of desiccation from the early stationary phase (ESP) grown culture, an approximately 3 log10 reduction was recorded for C. sakazakii viable cell count, with the largest change in viable cells occurring between desiccation hour 1 and 2 during which the culture medium was completely dried. Transcriptomic data obtained after 4 h of desiccation highlighted several highly-up regulated osmotolerance-related genes which were associated with the secondary response mechanism. These actively expressed genes mainly modulate pathways that synthetize glycine betaine and trehalose as well as the transport of these two and other compatible solutes. Understanding the activities of these genes and pathways will assist the development of technologies that mitigate the survival of C. sakazakii in the PIF production process. Overall design: RNA-seq was carried out for C. sakazakii ATCCTM29544 at 7 different growth/desiccation/rehydration stages, duplicate samples were sequenced for each stage Developmental stages used in this study: EEP (early exponential phase) MEP (medium exponential phase) LEP (late exponential phase) ESP (early stationary phase) DP (desiccation phase) RP (rehydration phase) LSP (late stationary phase)