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University of Wyoming
 

REGULATION OF CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN THE FOODBORNE PATHOGEN, LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES, BY A NOVEL GROUP OF CRP-FNR-TYPE REGULATORY PROTEINS

(WYO-403-06)

Foodborne illness is a major public health concern in the USA. It is estimated that about 75 million cases of foodborne disease resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations, 5,000 deaths, and $5 to 6 billion in costs occur each year. One of the most important causative agents of foodborne illness in the USA is the pathogenic bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes. This bacterium is responsible for ~2,500 cases of the severe disease known as listeriosis and 500 deaths each year. Research has shown that growth of L. monocytogenes in foods can be controlled by antimicrobial peptides known as class IIa bacteriocins produced by beneficial lactic acid bacterial species used in food production. However, the susceptibility of L. monocytogenes to bacteriocins may be influenced by the type of sugar present in the food. The proposed research will investigate the mechanism by which different sugars regulate class IIa bacteriocin susceptibility. It therefore will lead to better methods for prevention of food contamination and disease.