ARS | Publication request: Selection and Characterization of Cellulose Deficient Derivatives of Shiga Toxin Producing Escherichia coli

Submitted to: Journal of Food Protection
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 20, 2010
Publication Date: June 15, 2010
Citation: Yoo, B., Stewart, T.E., Guard, J.Y., Musgrove, M.T., Gast, R.K., Chen, J. 2010. Selection and Characterization of Cellulose Deficient Mutants of Shiga Toxin Producing Escherichia coli. 2010. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 73:1038-1046.

Interpretive Summary: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is known to have several defense mechanisms, one of which is the production of protective extracellular substances (including cellulose). The goal of this study was to prepare pairs of STEC cultures useful for future studies designed to address the role of cellulose in protecting the cells of STEC against stress. Spontaneous cellulose deficient mutants, 19D and 49D, were isolated and the isolated mutants and their respective parents (19B and 49B) were characterized using serotyping, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The growth characteristics of the STEC strains were studied using phenotypic microarray. The cellulose deficient mutants and their respective parents shared the same serotypes and PFGE profiles. However, profound morphological differences were found between the two types of cells. The results suggest that the two members of each STEC pair share similar growth characteristics except under extreme stress. These strains could be useful for investigating the role of cellulose in protecting the cells of STEC against adverse environmental conditions.

Technical Abstract: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is known to have several defense mechanisms, one of which is the production of protective extracellular substances (including cellulose). The goal of this study was to prepare pairs of STEC cultures useful for future studies designed to address the role of cellulose in protecting the cells of STEC against stress. Spontaneous cellulose deficient mutants, 19D and 49D, were isolated and the isolated mutants and their respective parents (19B and 49B) were characterized using serotyping, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The growth characteristics of the STEC strains were studied using phenotypic microarray. The cellulose deficient mutants and their respective parents shared the same serotypes and PFGE profiles. However, profound morphological differences were found between the two types of cells. The results suggest that the two members of each STEC pair share similar growth characteristics except under extreme stress. These strains could be useful for investigating the role of cellulose in protecting the cells of STEC against adverse environmental conditions.