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Full-Text Articles in Molecular Biology
Membrane Biophysics Of Listeria Monocytogenes: Analysis Of An Alternate Pathway Of Branched-Chain Fatty Acid Biosynthesis And Elasticity Of Fatty Acid Utilization, Laura E. Kuczek
Theses and Dissertations
The membrane homeostasis of the psychrotolerant foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes involves maintaining fluidity in a range of different conditions by incorporation of specific branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs). BCFAs are synthesized through a well-characterized pathway from branched-chain amino acids into short branched-chain acyl-CoAs followed by elongation by the FAS II system. Branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase (Bkd) is a major player in this pathway. MOR401 is a transposon insertion mutant deficient in Bkd and has decreased membrane BFCAs. Low levels of BCFAs in L. monocytogenes are linked to diminished growth, less resistance to antimicrobials, and a severe reduction in virulence. Rescued growth …
Alternative Pathway For Provision Of Acyl Coa Precursors For Fatty Acid Biosynthesis: Purification And Kinetic Characterization Of Phosphotransbutyrylase And Butyrate Kinase From Listeria Monocytogenes, Sirisha Sirobhushanam
Alternative Pathway For Provision Of Acyl Coa Precursors For Fatty Acid Biosynthesis: Purification And Kinetic Characterization Of Phosphotransbutyrylase And Butyrate Kinase From Listeria Monocytogenes, Sirisha Sirobhushanam
Theses and Dissertations
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis, a disease characterized by gastroenteritis, meningitis, spontaneous miscarriages and high mortality rate among infected individuals. L. monocytogenes is a major concern in the food industry, due to its ability to grow at refrigeration temperatures and the zero tolerance policy of the FDA, resulting in expensive food recalls. Growth at low temperatures is aided in part by the high membrane content of branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) which imparts greater fluidity to the membrane. Mutants of L. monocytogenes impaired in BCFA biosynthesis display diminished growth at normal and low temperatures, exhibit lower tolerance …