Identification of Listeria monocytogenes genes involved in salt and alkaline-pH tolerance

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2003 Jun;69(6):3137-43. doi: 10.1128/AEM.69.6.3137-3143.2003.

Abstract

The capacity of Listeria monocytogenes to tolerate salt and alkaline stresses is of particular importance, as this pathogen is often exposed to such environments during food processing and food preservation. We screened a library of Tn917-lacZ insertional mutants in order to identify genes involved in salt and/or alkaline tolerance. We isolated six mutants sensitive to salt stress and 12 mutants sensitive to salt and alkaline stresses. The position of the insertion of the transposon was located in 15 of these mutants. In six mutants the transposon was inserted in intergenic regions, and in nine mutants it was inserted in genes. Most of the genes have unknown functions, but sequence comparisons indicated that they encode putative transporters.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / genetics*
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism*
  • Heat-Shock Response
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Listeria monocytogenes / genetics
  • Listeria monocytogenes / growth & development
  • Listeria monocytogenes / physiology*
  • Mutagenesis, Insertional
  • Sodium Chloride / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Sodium Chloride