The betA/B genes as a key factor in Cronobacter sakazakii survival under desiccation stress
ABSTRACT: Cronobacter is capable of long-term survival in dry environments such as powdered milk, which poses a health hazard to infants. To study the relationship between pathways and phenotypes from complex metabolic networks, this study used metabolomics and transcriptomics to analyze the differe...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Dairy Science |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030225003753 |
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| author | Y. Yang W. Wang X. Meng B. Niu J. Yang Q. Chen |
| author_facet | Y. Yang W. Wang X. Meng B. Niu J. Yang Q. Chen |
| author_sort | Y. Yang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT: Cronobacter is capable of long-term survival in dry environments such as powdered milk, which poses a health hazard to infants. To study the relationship between pathways and phenotypes from complex metabolic networks, this study used metabolomics and transcriptomics to analyze the different metabolites and genes of the strong desiccation resistance Cronobacter sakazakii CS 34 before and after drying treatment. It was found that betaine levels and genes related to its synthesis and transport were significantly upregulated posttreatment. This suggests that the betA gene may help Cronobacter resist dry environments by controlling betaine synthesis. To further explore this, betA/B gene knockout and complementation strains were constructed, and their growth and desiccation tolerance were assessed. Among them, the survival rate of betA, betB, and betAB knockout strains under dry conditions was significantly reduced. Observation using fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed that the cells of the knockout strain were damaged after drying and obvious holes appeared, and severe leakage of contents increased. Additionally, the knockout strains exhibited significantly higher levels of choline and lower levels of betaine compared with the wild-type strain. This indicated that choline is used for betaine synthesis, which ultimately aids C. sakazakii CS 34 in surviving in dry environments. In summary, this study elucidates the role of the betA, betB, and betAB genes in Cronobacter's desiccation resistance, providing valuable insights for reducing contamination of Cronobacter in powdered milk and reducing the probability of infection with Cronobacter in infants. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6ca773dd636147d8a8efab39f3965dcd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0022-0302 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Dairy Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-6ca773dd636147d8a8efab39f3965dcd2025-08-20T03:32:23ZengElsevierJournal of Dairy Science0022-03022025-08-0110888205822110.3168/jds.2024-26183The betA/B genes as a key factor in Cronobacter sakazakii survival under desiccation stressY. Yang0W. Wang1X. Meng2B. Niu3J. Yang4Q. Chen5School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, ChinaChina National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing 100000, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Corresponding authorsTechnical Centre for Animal, Plant and Food Inspection and Quarantine of Shanghai Customs, Shanghai 200135, China; Corresponding authorsSchool of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Corresponding authorsABSTRACT: Cronobacter is capable of long-term survival in dry environments such as powdered milk, which poses a health hazard to infants. To study the relationship between pathways and phenotypes from complex metabolic networks, this study used metabolomics and transcriptomics to analyze the different metabolites and genes of the strong desiccation resistance Cronobacter sakazakii CS 34 before and after drying treatment. It was found that betaine levels and genes related to its synthesis and transport were significantly upregulated posttreatment. This suggests that the betA gene may help Cronobacter resist dry environments by controlling betaine synthesis. To further explore this, betA/B gene knockout and complementation strains were constructed, and their growth and desiccation tolerance were assessed. Among them, the survival rate of betA, betB, and betAB knockout strains under dry conditions was significantly reduced. Observation using fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed that the cells of the knockout strain were damaged after drying and obvious holes appeared, and severe leakage of contents increased. Additionally, the knockout strains exhibited significantly higher levels of choline and lower levels of betaine compared with the wild-type strain. This indicated that choline is used for betaine synthesis, which ultimately aids C. sakazakii CS 34 in surviving in dry environments. In summary, this study elucidates the role of the betA, betB, and betAB genes in Cronobacter's desiccation resistance, providing valuable insights for reducing contamination of Cronobacter in powdered milk and reducing the probability of infection with Cronobacter in infants.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030225003753metabolomicstranscriptomicbetainebetA genebetB gene |
| spellingShingle | Y. Yang W. Wang X. Meng B. Niu J. Yang Q. Chen The betA/B genes as a key factor in Cronobacter sakazakii survival under desiccation stress Journal of Dairy Science metabolomics transcriptomic betaine betA gene betB gene |
| title | The betA/B genes as a key factor in Cronobacter sakazakii survival under desiccation stress |
| title_full | The betA/B genes as a key factor in Cronobacter sakazakii survival under desiccation stress |
| title_fullStr | The betA/B genes as a key factor in Cronobacter sakazakii survival under desiccation stress |
| title_full_unstemmed | The betA/B genes as a key factor in Cronobacter sakazakii survival under desiccation stress |
| title_short | The betA/B genes as a key factor in Cronobacter sakazakii survival under desiccation stress |
| title_sort | beta b genes as a key factor in cronobacter sakazakii survival under desiccation stress |
| topic | metabolomics transcriptomic betaine betA gene betB gene |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030225003753 |
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