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Fatty Acids Regulate Stress Resistance and Virulence Factor Production for Listeria monocytogenes
- Source :
- Journal of Bacteriology. 194:5274-5284
- Publication Year :
- 2012
- Publisher :
- American Society for Microbiology, 2012.
-
Abstract
- Fatty acids (FAs) are the major structural component of cellular membranes, which provide a physical and chemical barrier that insulates intracellular reactions from environmental fluctuations. The native composition of membrane FAs establishes the topological and chemical parameters for membrane-associated functions and is therefore modulated diligently by microorganisms especially in response to environmental stresses. However, the consequences of altered FA composition during host-pathogen interactions are poorly understood. The food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes contains mostly saturated branched-chain FAs (BCFAs), which support growth at low pH and low temperature. In this study, we show that anteiso-BCFAs enhance bacterial resistance against phagosomal killing in macrophages. Specifically, BCFAs protect against antimicrobial peptides and peptidoglycan hydrolases, two classes of phagosome antimicrobial defense mechanisms. In addition, the production of the critical virulence factor, listeriolysin O, was compromised by FA modulation, suggesting that FAs play a key role in virulence regulation. In summary, our results emphasize the significance of FA metabolism, not only in bacterial virulence regulation but also in membrane barrier function by providing resistance against host antimicrobial stress.
- Subjects :
- Virulence Factors
Antimicrobial peptides
Virulence
Biology
medicine.disease_cause
Microbiology
Virulence factor
Cell Line
Mice
chemistry.chemical_compound
Listeria monocytogenes
Stress, Physiological
medicine
Animals
Molecular Biology
Pathogen
Phagosome
Molecular Structure
Macrophages
Fatty Acids
Articles
Antimicrobial
chemistry
Mutation
Peptidoglycan
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 10985530 and 00219193
- Volume :
- 194
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Bacteriology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....fce67170e1edb6b846d98881c384a229