Escherichia coli acid resistance: tales of an amateur acidophile

Nat Rev Microbiol. 2004 Nov;2(11):898-907. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro1021.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal pathogens are faced with an extremely acidic environment. Within moments, a pathogen such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 can move from the nurturing pH 7 environment of a hamburger to the harsh pH 2 milieu of the stomach. Surprisingly, certain microorganisms that grow at neutral pH have elegantly regulated systems that enable survival during excursions into acidic environments. The best-characterized acid-resistance system is found in E. coli.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acids / pharmacology*
  • Adaptation, Physiological*
  • Antiporters / genetics
  • Antiporters / physiology
  • Arginine / metabolism
  • Chlorides / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Ion Transport
  • Membrane Potentials / physiology
  • Proton-Motive Force / physiology

Substances

  • Acids
  • Antiporters
  • Chlorides
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Arginine