Comparative Review of the Responses of <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> to Low pH Stress
Acidity is one of the principal physicochemical factors that influence the behavior of microorganisms in any environment, and their response to it often determines their ability to grow and survive. Preventing the growth and survival of pathogenic bacteria or, conversely, promoting the growth of bac...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-11-01
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| Series: | Genes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/11/11/1330 |
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| author | Talia Arcari Marie-Lucie Feger Duarte N. Guerreiro Jialun Wu Conor P. O’Byrne |
| author_facet | Talia Arcari Marie-Lucie Feger Duarte N. Guerreiro Jialun Wu Conor P. O’Byrne |
| author_sort | Talia Arcari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Acidity is one of the principal physicochemical factors that influence the behavior of microorganisms in any environment, and their response to it often determines their ability to grow and survive. Preventing the growth and survival of pathogenic bacteria or, conversely, promoting the growth of bacteria that are useful (in biotechnology and food production, for example), might be improved considerably by a deeper understanding of the protective responses that these microorganisms deploy in the face of acid stress. In this review, we survey the molecular mechanisms used by two unrelated bacterial species in their response to low pH stress. We chose to focus on two well-studied bacteria, <i>Escherichia coli</i> (phylum Proteobacteria) and <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> (phylum Firmicutes), that have both evolved to be able to survive in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. We review the mechanisms that these species use to maintain a functional intracellular pH as well as the protective mechanisms that they deploy to prevent acid damage to macromolecules in the cells. We discuss the mechanisms used to sense acid in the environment and the regulatory processes that are activated when acid is encountered. We also highlight the specific challenges presented by organic acids. Common themes emerge from this comparison as well as unique strategies that each species uses to cope with acid stress. We highlight some of the important research questions that still need to be addressed in this fascinating field. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:55:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-012bed8599e244f7a50dcfb29e32fe16 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4425 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:55:29Z |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Genes |
| spelling | doaj.art-012bed8599e244f7a50dcfb29e32fe162023-11-20T20:34:12ZengMDPI AGGenes2073-44252020-11-011111133010.3390/genes11111330Comparative Review of the Responses of <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> to Low pH StressTalia Arcari0Marie-Lucie Feger1Duarte N. Guerreiro2Jialun Wu3Conor P. O’Byrne4Bacterial Stress Response Group, Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, IrelandBacterial Stress Response Group, Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, IrelandBacterial Stress Response Group, Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, IrelandBacterial Stress Response Group, Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, IrelandBacterial Stress Response Group, Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, IrelandAcidity is one of the principal physicochemical factors that influence the behavior of microorganisms in any environment, and their response to it often determines their ability to grow and survive. Preventing the growth and survival of pathogenic bacteria or, conversely, promoting the growth of bacteria that are useful (in biotechnology and food production, for example), might be improved considerably by a deeper understanding of the protective responses that these microorganisms deploy in the face of acid stress. In this review, we survey the molecular mechanisms used by two unrelated bacterial species in their response to low pH stress. We chose to focus on two well-studied bacteria, <i>Escherichia coli</i> (phylum Proteobacteria) and <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> (phylum Firmicutes), that have both evolved to be able to survive in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. We review the mechanisms that these species use to maintain a functional intracellular pH as well as the protective mechanisms that they deploy to prevent acid damage to macromolecules in the cells. We discuss the mechanisms used to sense acid in the environment and the regulatory processes that are activated when acid is encountered. We also highlight the specific challenges presented by organic acids. Common themes emerge from this comparison as well as unique strategies that each species uses to cope with acid stress. We highlight some of the important research questions that still need to be addressed in this fascinating field.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/11/11/1330<i>Listeria monocytogenes</i><i>Escherichia coli</i>pH homeostasisacid stressacid sensingorganic acids |
| spellingShingle | Talia Arcari Marie-Lucie Feger Duarte N. Guerreiro Jialun Wu Conor P. O’Byrne Comparative Review of the Responses of <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> to Low pH Stress Genes <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> <i>Escherichia coli</i> pH homeostasis acid stress acid sensing organic acids |
| title | Comparative Review of the Responses of <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> to Low pH Stress |
| title_full | Comparative Review of the Responses of <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> to Low pH Stress |
| title_fullStr | Comparative Review of the Responses of <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> to Low pH Stress |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative Review of the Responses of <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> to Low pH Stress |
| title_short | Comparative Review of the Responses of <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> to Low pH Stress |
| title_sort | comparative review of the responses of i listeria monocytogenes i and i escherichia coli i to low ph stress |
| topic | <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> <i>Escherichia coli</i> pH homeostasis acid stress acid sensing organic acids |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/11/11/1330 |
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