Regulation of catalase activity in Listeria monocytogenes by various environmental factors

Regulation of catalase activity in Listeria monocytogenes by various environmental factors

Presenter(s)

Madison Gillon

Comments

Presentation: 9:00-10:15, Kennedy Union Ballroom

Description

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterial foodborne pathogen that can lead to serious and potentially deadly gastrointestinal infections specifically in immunocompromised populations. In fact, Listeria infection is the third leading cause of death from food poisoning in the United States. During transmission, Listeria produces catalase to detoxify reactive oxygen species that can form as a byproduct of metabolism and immune defense in infected hosts. Furthermore, catalase production is critical to Listeria fitness and survival. In this study, I investigated how catalase production was regulated by propionate and oxygen. Propionate is a short chain fatty acid commonly found in the human gut microbiome and in food as an additive. Propionate exposure, whether in food matrices or in the intestinal lumen, typically takes place under anaerobic conditions. To measure catalase activity, hydrogen peroxide and Triton X-100 were added to anaerobic and aerobic cultures of Listeria with and without propionate. The catalase produced by Listeria breaks down the hydrogen peroxide releasing oxygen bubbles, which are then trapped in the Triton X-100 detergent. The height of the bubbles can then be measured to visually display and compare the catalase production under each experimental condition. These results will help us understand how Listeria regulates its catalase production.

Publication Date

4-17-2024

Project Designation

Independent Research

Primary Advisor

Yvonne Y. Sun

Primary Advisor's Department

Biology

Keywords

Stander Symposium, College of Arts and Sciences

Institutional Learning Goals

Scholarship

Regulation of catalase activity in Listeria monocytogenes by various environmental factors

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