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Ji X, Shi A, Wang J, Zhang B, Hu Y, Lv H, Wu J, Sun Y, Liu JM, Zhang Y, Wang S. EnvZ/OmpR Controls Protein Expression and Modifications in Cronobacter sakazakii for Virulence and Environmental Resilience. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:18697-18707. [PMID: 39165163 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c04627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Cronobacter sakazakii is a notorious foodborne opportunistic pathogen, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as premature infants, and poses significant public health challenges. This study aimed to elucidate the role of the envZ/ompR genes in environmental tolerance, pathogenicity, and protein regulation of C. sakazakii. An envZ/ompR knockout mutant was constructed and assessed for its impact on bacterial growth, virulence, environmental tolerance, and protein regulation. Results demonstrate that deletion of envZ/ompR genes leads to reduced growth rate and attenuated virulence in animal models. Additionally, the knockout strain exhibited compromised environmental tolerance, particularly in desiccation and oxidative stress conditions, along with impaired adhesion and invasion abilities in epithelial cells. Proteomic analysis revealed significant alterations in protein expression and phosphorylation patterns, highlighting potential compensatory mechanisms triggered by gene deletion. Furthermore, investigation into protein deamidation and glucose metabolism uncovered a link between envZ/ompR deletion and energy metabolism dysregulation. Interestingly, the downregulation of MalK and GrxC proteins was identified as contributing factors to altered desiccation tolerance and disrupted redox homeostasis, respectively, providing mechanistic insights into the phenotypic changes observed. Overall, this study enhances understanding of the multifaceted roles of envZ/ompR in C. sakazakii physiology and pathogenesis, shedding light on potential targets for therapeutic intervention and food safety strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemeng Ji
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Aiying Shi
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Bowei Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yaozhong Hu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Huan Lv
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yi Sun
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jing-Min Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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Cechin CDF, Carvalho GG, Bastos CP, Kabuki DY. Cronobacter spp. in foods of plant origin: occurrence, contamination routes, and pathogenic potential. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2023; 63:12398-12412. [PMID: 35866516 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2101426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Cronobacter is an emerging bacterial pathogen associated with infections such as necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, and meningitis in neonates and infants, related to the consumption of powdered infant formula. In addition, this bacterium can also cause infections in adults by the ingestion of other foods. Thus, this review article aims to report the occurrence and prevalence of Cronobacter spp. in foods of plant origin, as well as the possible sources and routes of contamination in these products, and the presence of pathogenic strains in these foods. Cronobacter was present in a wide variety of cereal-based foods, vegetables, herbs, spices, ready-to-eat foods, and foods from other categories. This pathogen was also found in cultivation environments, such as soils, compost, animal feces, rice and vegetable crops, as well as food processing industries, and domestic environments, thus demonstrating possible contamination routes. Furthermore, sequence types (ST) involved in clinical cases and isolates resistant to antibiotics were found in Cronobacter strains isolated from food of plant origin. The identification of Cronobacter spp. in plant-based foods is of great importance to better elucidate the vehicles and routes of contamination in the primary production chain and processing facility, until the final consumption of the food, to prevent infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carine da Fonseca Cechin
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Food Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Guimarães Carvalho
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Food Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Caroline Peixoto Bastos
- Center of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Dirce Yorika Kabuki
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Food Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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