Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes is capable of withstanding low pH after initial exposure to sublethal acidic conditions, a phenomenon termed the acid tolerance response (B. O'Driscoll, C. G. M. Gahan, and C. Hill, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62:1693-1698, 1996). Treatment of L. monocytogenes LO28 with chloramphenicol during acid adaptation abrogated the protective effect, suggesting that de novo protein synthesis is required for the acid tolerance response. Analysis of protein expression during acid adaptation by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed changes in the levels of 53 proteins. Significant protein differences were also evident between nonadapted L. monocytogenes LO28 and a constitutively acid-tolerant mutant, ATM56. In addition, the analysis[S_TABC] revealed differences in protein expression between cells induced with a weak acid (lactic acid) and those induced with a strong acid (HCl). Comparison of both acid-adapted LO28 and ATM56 revealed that both are capable of maintaining their internal pH (pH(infi)) at higher levels than nonadapted control cells during severe acid stress. Collectively, the data demonstrate the profound alterations in protein synthesis which take place during acid adaptation in L. monocytogenes and ultimately lead to an increased ability to survive severe stress conditions.