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Applied and Environmental Microbiology, July 2004, p. 4111-4117, Vol. 70, No. 7
0099-2240/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AEM.70.7.4111-4117.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

CO₂- and Anaerobiosis-Induced Changes in Physiology and Gene Expression of Different Listeria monocytogenes Strains

Anne-Marie Jydegaard-Axelsen,¹ Poul Erik Høiby,² Kim Holmstrøm,² Nicholas Russell,³ and Susanne Knøchel^1*

Department of Food Science, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg,¹ Department of Molecular Characterization, Bioneer A/S, Hørsholm, Denmark,² Department of Agricultural Sciences, Imperial College London, Wye Campus, Ashford, Kent, United Kingdom³

Received 11 November 2003/ Accepted 29 March 2004

Although carbon dioxide (CO₂) is known to inhibit growth of most bacteria, very little is known about the cellular response. The food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is characterized by its ability to grow in high CO₂ concentrations at refrigeration temperatures. We examined the listerial responses of different strains to growth in air, 100% N₂, and 100% CO₂. The CO₂-induced changes in membrane lipid fatty acid composition and expression of selected genes were strain dependent. The acid-tolerant L. monocytogenes LO28 responded in the same manner to CO₂ as to other anaerobic, slightly acidic environments (100% N₂, pH 5.7). An increase in the expression of the genes encoding glutamate decarboxylase (essential for survival in strong acid) as well as an increased amount of branched-chain fatty acids in the membrane was observed in both atmospheres. In contrast, the acid-sensitive L. monocytogenes strain EGD responded differently to CO₂ and N₂ at the same pH. In a separate experiment with L. monocytogenes 412, an increased isocitrate dehydrogenase activity level was observed for cells grown in CO₂-containing atmospheres. Together, our findings demonstrate that the CO₂-response is a partly strain-dependent complex mechanism. The possible links between the CO₂-dependent changes in isocitrate dehydrogenase activity, glutamate metabolism and branched fatty acid biosynthesis are discussed.

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* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Food Science, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederiksberg, Denmark. Phone: 45 35 28 32 58. Fax: 45 35 28 32 31. E-mail: address: skn{at}kvl.dk.

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Applied and Environmental Microbiology, July 2004, p. 4111-4117, Vol. 70, No. 7
0099-2240/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AEM.70.7.4111-4117.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

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