A systems analysis of E. coli short and long-term transcriptomic response to biocides.

A systems analysis of E. coli short and long-term transcriptomic response to biocides. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2020 May 08;: Authors: Merchel Piovesan Pereira B, Wang X, Tagkopoulos I Abstract The mechanisms of bacterial response to biocides are poorly understood, despite their broad application. To identify the genetic basis and pathways implicated in the biocide stress response, we exposed Escherichia coli populations to ten ubiquitous biocides. By comparing the transcriptional responses between short (30min) and long-term (8 to 12h) exposure to biocide stress, we established the common gene and pathways clusters that are implicated in general and biocide-specific stress response. Our analysis revealed a temporal choreography, starting from the upregulation of chaperones to the subsequent repression of motility and chemotaxis pathways, induction of an anaerobic pool of enzymes, and biofilm regulators. A systematic analysis of the transcriptional data identified a zur-regulated gene cluster to be highly active in the stress response against sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid, presenting a link between biocide stress response and zinc homeostasis. Susceptibility assays of knockout mutants further validated our findings and provide clear targets for downstream investigation of the implicated mechanisms of action.Importance Antiseptics and disinfectant products are of great importance to control and eliminate pathogens, especially ...
Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: Appl Environ Microbiol Source Type: research