Evidence of autoinduction heterogeneity via expression of the agr system of listeria monocytogenes at the single-cell level
ABSTRACT To investigate if the primary function of the Agr system of Listeria monocytogenes is to monitor cell density, we followed Agr expression in batch cultures, in which the autoinducer concentration was uniform, and in biofilms. Expression was heterogeneous, suggesting that the primary function of Agr is not to monitor population density.
Single cell analysis evidence Heterogeneous expression of the Agr communication system of Listeria monocytogenes
http://prodinra.inra.fr/record/271694EAMERSCT3 EJ3; Communication, often referred as Quorum Sensing, is involved in the adaptation of most bacteria to their environment. In the genus Listeria, the agr communication system affects the biology of Listeria monocytogenes during saprophytic life (biofilm formation) and during infection. In the present study, we investigated in situ agr expression of six isolates of L. monocytogenes by combining gfp reporters, flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy during plantonic growth and dynamic flow cell biofilm set ups. Unexpectedly, during growth in TSB homogenised liquid cultures incubated at 25°C, while auto-inducer concentration was uniform, statist…
Exploring the diversity of listeria monocytogenes biofilm architecture by high-throughput confocal laser scanning microscopy and the predominance of the honeycomb-like morphotype
ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes is involved in food-borne illness with a high mortality rate. The persistence of the pathogen along the food chain can be associated with its ability to form biofilms on inert surfaces. While most of the phenotypes associated with biofilms are related to their spatial organization, most published data comparing biofilm formation by L. monocytogenes isolates are based on the quantitative crystal violet assay, which does not give access to structural information. Using a high-throughput confocal-imaging approach, the aim of this work was to decipher the structural diversity of biofilms formed by 96 L. monocytogenes strains isolated from various environments. Pr…
Biofilms structural diversity of 100 strains of the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes
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