Analysis of the role of the Cronobacter sakazakii ProP homologues in osmotolerance
Abstract
Bacteria respond to elevated osmolality by the accumulation of a range of low molecular weight molecules, known as compatible solutes (owing to their compatibility with the cells' normal physiology at high internal concentrations). The neonatal pathogen Cronobacter sakazakii is uniquely osmotolerant, surviving in powdered infant formula (PIF) which typically has a water activity (aw) of 0.2 - inhospitable to most micro-organisms. Mortality rates of up to 80% in infected infants have been recorded making C. sakazakii a serious cause for concern. In silico analysis of the C. sakazakii BAA-894 genome revealed seven copies of the osmolyte uptake system ProP. Herein, we test the physiological role of each of these homologues following heterologous expression against an osmosensitive Escherichia coli host. © 2014 Feeney et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Disciplines
Biology
DOI
10.1186/1757-4749-6-15
Full Publication Date
May 2014
Publisher
BMC Springer Nature
Resource Type
journal article
Access Rights
open access
License Condition
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Feeney, Audrey; Johnston, Christopher D.; Govender, Rodney; O'Mahony, Jim; Coffey, Aidan; and Sleator, Roy D., "Analysis of the role of the Cronobacter sakazakii ProP homologues in osmotolerance" (2014). Department of Biological Sciences Publications [online].
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/1757-4749-6-15
Publication Details
Gut Pathogens