Im Genom von Listeria monocytogenes konnten zwei Gene identifiziert werden, die mutmaßlich für niedermolekulare Protein-Tyrosin Phosphatasen (LMW-PTPs) kodieren, Lmo0938/Ptp-1 und Lmo2540/Ptp-2, beide ähneln LMW-PTPs von B. subtilis. Einzel- und Doppeldeletionen der ptp-Gene beeinflussten die Transkription zahlreicher Gene, wie anhand von Gesamtgenom-DNA-Microarray-Analysen und quantitativer RT-PCR gezeigt werden konnten. Insbesondere waren die Gene für i) die Internaline A und B, ii) den Osmoprotektanten-Transporter OpuC, iii) MCP, notwendig zur Flagellen-Bewegung und iv) eine Anzahl von den Proteinen, die in die Nährstoffaufnahme sowie den intrazellulären Metabolismus involviert sind, in vitro herunterreguliert. Die PrfA-regulierten Virulenzgene wurden in den Mutanten verstärkt exprimiert. Im Wesentlichen konnte das gleiche Transkriptionsmuster in infizierten Caco-2-Enterocyten beobachtet werden. Die verringerte Invasivität (abhängig von InlA) und die Unbeweglichkeit der Mutanten passt zu den Transkriptionsergebnissen. Jedoch wurden weder die intrazelluläre Replikation innerhalb eukaryontischer Wirtszellen noch die Resistenz gegen Stressbedingungen durch die Deletion beeinträchtigt. Die Proteome des Wildtyps und der ptp-Mutanten wurden durch 2-dimensionale Gelelektrophorese verglichen und es zeigte sich, dass die Transkriptionsergebnisse nicht vollständig im Proteom reflektiert wurden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Ptps in die Regulationsnetzwerke des alternativen Stress-Sigmafaktor SigB und von PrfA eingreifen. Der ähnliche Effekt beider Ptps auf die Transkription oder auf den Proteinlevel deutet eine Interaktion oder Kooperation der beiden Enzyme an. / In the genome of Listeria monocytogenes we identified two genes putatively encoding low molecular weight protein-tyrosine phosphatases (LMW PTPs), Lmo0938/Ptp-1 and Lmo2540/Ptp-2, similar to LMW PTPS of B. subtilis and S. aureus. Single and double deletions of the ptp genes affected transcription of numerous genes, shown by whole-genome DNA-microarray analysis and quantitative RT-PCR. In particular the genes for i) the internalins AB, ii) the osmoprotectant uptake system OpuC, iii) MCP, important for flagellar motion, and iv) a number of proteins involved in nutrient uptake and intracellular metabolism, were down regulated in vitro. The PrfA-regulated virulence genes were up regulated in the mutants. Essentially the same transcription pattern was observed in infected Caco-2 enterocytes. The decreased invasiveness (dependent on InlA) and non-motility of the mutants matches the transcription results. However, neither replication within eukaryotic host cells nor resistance against stress conditions was impaired by the deletions. The proteomes of wild type and Ptp-mutants were compared by 2-D-protein gel electrophoresis, surprisingly showing that the transcription results were not completely reflected in the proteome. The results show that the Ptps interfere with the stress sigma factor SigB and PrfA regulatory networks. The similar effect of both Ptps on transcription or on protein level suggests an interaction or cooperation of the two enzymes.

Thesis advisor: Mary F. Roberts / The phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) from Listeria monocytogenes (a monomer in solution) shows unusual kinetic properties compared to other well-studied phospholipases: (i) increased specific activity with decreasing protein concentration, (ii) activation of the phosphotransferase step by salts, and (iii) activation of both the interfacial phosphotransferase and water-soluble phosphodiesterase steps by zwitterionic and neutral amphiphiles. A variety of biophysical studies (fluorescence, NMR, monolayer, vesicle binding) of enzyme/lipid complexes coupled with kinetics have allowed us to propose a model that accounts for these features. The enzyme binds tightly to anionic surfaces and much more weakly to a zwitterionic interface. The tight binding can be reduced by adding KCl at concentrations that activate the enzyme. In the crystal structure of the enzyme, many basic residues are clustered on the sides and bottom of TIM-barrel far away from the opening to the active site. These cause the enzyme to adopt a non-productive orientation on negatively charged membranes that leads to a reversible clustering of anionic lipids and vesicle aggregation. An increased surface concentration of zwitterionic / neutral amphiphiles along with the salt disperses the anionic substrate, shields charges on the protein, and enhances productive encounters of the protein with substrate molecules. This model has been tested by examining the behavior of enzyme with citraconylated lysines and mutants of neutral surface residues at the rim of the active site. The unusual kinetic behavior of this PI-PLC also appears to contribute to the escape of L. monocytogenes from vacuoles during infection. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2008. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Não consta resumo na publicação. / Abstract not available.

Neste estudo foram realizados inicialmente, experimentos para avaliar a ação sinérgica do peptídeo antimicrobiano P34 com sobrenadantes de culturas de algumas bactérias lácticas selecionadas e isoladas de queijo Minas Frescal. Foi investigada a influência deste peptídeo na expressão de genes em L. monocytogenes e L. seeligeri, sua citotoxicidade em diferentes células eucarióticas e toxicidade “in vivo”. Também foram realizados alguns testes para avaliar a citotoxicidade do peptídeo antimicrobiano P40. A adição do peptídeo P34 no queijo provocou uma diminuição de até 3 ciclos logarítmicos na contagem de células viáveis de L. monocytogenes inoculada artificialmente. Um aumento significativo na expressão dos genes dltA, Imo 1695 e mptA de L. monocytogenes foi observado após 96 h com a presença do peptídeo P34 no queijo. A influência do peptídeo P34 na expressão de genes associados aos componentes do envelope celular de L. monocytogenes e L. seeligeri, promoveu um aumento não significativo nos níveis de transcrição de genes dltA, Imo1695 e mptA observados em L. monocytogenes após inoculação em placas e incubação por 24 h a 37°C ou 240 h a 4°C. Em L. seeligeri uma diminuição significativa na expressão do gene dltA foi observada. Os genes Imo1695 e mptA demonstraram uma diminuição significativa de sua expressão (2000 e 31872 vezes, respectivamente) na presença do peptídeo P34 e incubação por 24 h a 37°C. A inoculação da placa com o peptídeo P34 e incubação por 240 h a 4ºC não promoveu diminuição significativa da expressão do gene mptA. A citotoxicidade dos peptídeos P34 e P40 foi avaliada em células VERO, tratadas com diferentes concentrações (0,02 - 2,5 μg ml-1). Nos ensaios de MTT, NRU e LDH as EC50 para o peptídeo P34 foram 0.60, 1.25, 0.65 μg ml-1 e do peptídeo P40 foram 0,30, 0,51 e 0,57 μg ml-1, respectivamente. A atividade hemolítica em eritrócitos humanos foi de (5,8%) e (19%), respectivamente. Os efeitos sobre a viabilidade, motilidade e exocitose acrossomal de espermatozóides humanos também foram avaliadas para o peptídeo P34. Não houve reações de hipersensibilidade ou aumento significativo de títulos de anticorpos durante os experimentos imunogenicidade ou morte dos animais durante experimentos de toxicidade aguda ou subcrônica. A DL50 foi superior a 332,3 ± 0,76 mg/kg. Não foram observadas alterações significativas nos parâmetros bioquímicos séricos nos animais tratados com o peptídeo P34. Não foram detectados sinais de possível toxicidade nos animais do grupo tratado com 0,825 mg/ kg/dia do peptídeo P34. Neste grupo apenas alterações histológicas no baço com a presença de megacariócitos foram observadas. A partir destes resultados evidencia-se o potencial do peptídeo P34 para ser utilizado como bioconservante em alimentos. / In this study initial experiments were performed to evaluate synergistic action of the antimicrobial peptide P34 and culture supernatants of some selected lactic acid bacteria isolated from Minas Frescal cheese. The influence of this peptide in the expression of genes in L. monocytogenes and L. seeligeri, their cytotoxicity in differents eukaryotic cells and “in vivo” toxicity was investigated. Also, some tests were carried out o evaluate the cytotoxicity of the antimicrobial peptide P40. The peptide P34 caused a decrease of up to 3 log cycles in viable counts of L. monocytogenes artificially inoculated in cheese. A significant increase in expression of genes dltA, Imo1695 mptA of L. monocytogenes was observed after 96 h incubation of the peptide P34 in cheese. The influence of peptide P34 on the expression of genes associated to components of cell envelope of L. monocytogenes and L. seeligeri, promoted a non significant increase in the levels of transcription of genes dltA, Imo1695 and mptA were observed after incubation of L. monocytogenes for 24 hs at 37°C and 240 hs at 4°C in plates. In L. seeligeri a significant decrease was observed in gene expression dltA. The gene Imo1695 showed a significant decrease in its expression (2000-fold) after inoculation with the peptide P34. A significant decrease of expression was also observed for the gene mptA (31872 - times) after inoculation with the peptide P34 and incubation for 24 hours at 37°C. The inoculation of the plate with the P34 peptide and incubated for 240 hrs at 4°C, showed a non-significant decrease of gene expression. The cytotoxicity of the peptide P34 and P40 was assessed in VERO cells treated with different concentrations (0.02 - 2.5 μg ml- 1). In MTT, NRU and LDH assays the EC50 to the peptide P34 were 0.60, 1.25, 0.65 μg ml-1 and the peptide P40 were 0.30, 0.51 and 0.57 μg ml-1, respectively. The hemolytical activity on human erythrocytes was of (5.8%) and (19%), respectively. The effects on viability, motility and acrosomal exocytosis of humam sperm were also evaluated for peptideP34. There were no hypersensitivity reactions or significant increase in antibody titer during the immunogenicity experiment or death of animals during the acute or subchronic toxicity tests. The LD50 was more the 332.3 ± 0.76 mg/kg. No significant changes in the serum biochemical parameters were observed in the animals treated with the peptide P34. Signs of possible toxicity were no detected in animals in the group treated with 0.825 mg/kg day of peptide P34. In this group only histological changes in the spleen with the presence of megakaryocytes were observed. From these results show the potential o peptide P34 to be used in future as biopreservative in foods.

Uma bactéria identificada como Bacillus sp. P34 isolada de intestino de peixe (Leporinus sp.) da Bacia Amazônica foi estudada quanto a sua capacidade de produzir substâncias do tipo-bacteriocina. As condições ótimas para produção da substância antimicrobiana foram determinadas. A produção da atividade antimicrobiana foi observada começando na fase exponencial de crescimento, sendo a atividade máxima observada no início da fase estacionária. Os resultados da Análise de Superfície de Resposta mostraram que a máxima produção da atividade antimicrobiana ocorreu a pH inicial entre 6.0 e 8.0 e temperaturas entre 25 e 37°C. A substância inibiu bactérias patogênicas e deteriorantes importantes em alimentos como Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Aeromonas hydrophila, Erwinia carotovora e Pasteurella haemolytica. O teste de termoestabilidade mostrou a perda de atividade quando a temperatura alcançou 100°C por 15 minutos. Foi sensível à ação das enzimas proteolíticas tripsina, papaína e pronase E. A substância antimicrobiana apresentou efeito bactericida e bacteriolítico sobre L. monocytogenes e B. cereus a 160 UA ml-1. O crescimento de Escherichia coli and Salmonella Enteritidis foi inibido somente quando o agente quelante EDTA foi adicionado juntamente. A atividade esporocida não foi observada. A análise da cultura de L. monocytogenes depois do tratamento com o composto antimicrobiano, usando espectroscopia de infravermelho com transformada de Fourier mostrou alterações no perfil de ácidos graxos e fosfolipídios da membrana celular bacteriana. Há evidências de que seu modo de ação interfira na membrana e na parede celular. A substância foi purificada pelo seguinte protocolo: precipitação com sulfato de amônio, cromatografias de gel filtração e de troca iônica. O peso molecular da substância foi determinado por espectroscopia de massas sendo 1498.68 Da. A substância antimicrobiana purificada apresentou sensibilidade ao tratamento com proteases e manutenção da atividade foi observada após congelamento e à incubação de 70°C por 30 minutos. / A bacterium identified as Bacillus sp. strain P34 isolated from fish intestine (Leporinus sp.) from the Amazon basin was studied in its capacity to produce bacteriocinlike substances. The optimal conditions for producing the antimicrobial activity have been established. The antimicrobial activity was produced starting at the exponencial growth phase, and maximum activity was observed at early stationary phase. Response-surface data showed that maximum antimicrobial activity production was at initial pH between 6.0 and 8.0 and temperature between 25 and 37°C. The antimicrobial substance inhibited pathogenic and spoilage food bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Aeromonas hydrophila, Erwinia carotovora and Pasteurella haemolytica. The thermoestability test showed the loss of activity when the temperature reached 100°C for 15 min. It was sensitive to the proteolytic action of trypsin, papain and pronase E. The antimicrobial substance was bactericidal and bacteriolytic to L. monocytogenes and B. cereus at 160 AU ml-1. Growth of Escherichia coli and Salmonella Enteritidis was inhibited, but only when the chelating agent EDTA was co-added. Sporocidal activity was not observed. The analysis of the culture of L. monocytogenes after being treated with antimicrobial compound, using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, established a change in the profile that corresponding assignments of fatty acid and phospholipids. There was evidence that its mode of action to interfere with cell membrane and the cell wall. The substance was purified by the following protocol: precipitation with ammonium sulphate, gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. The molecular weight was determined by mass spectroscopy as 1498.68 Da. Purified antimicrobial substance has shown sensitivity to protease treatment and maintained activity after freezing and incubation at 70°C for 30 min.

A partir de los años ochenta, el aumento de casos de listeriosis humana y su posible relación con alimentos contaminados, ha venido preocupando a las autoridades sanitarias de todo el mundo. Aunque en el Perú no hay reportes de una asociación entre listeriosis y alimentos contaminados, se ha informado sobre estudios que han identificado esta bacteria en productos hidrobiológicos frescos y procesados, leche cruda y sus derivados. El Objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar la incidencia de Listeria monocytogenes en pollos y verduras obtenidos de diversos mercados y centros de abastecimiento de Lima. En total, se analizaron 100 muestras, de las cuales 50 fueron muestras de carne de pollo fresco y las otras 50 muestras fueron diversas verduras frescas (espárrago, col, apio, espinaca y lechuga). El análisis microbiológico se realizó de acuerdo a la metodología recomendada en el Bacteriological Analytical Manual de la FDA y la NF ISO 11290- 1. Se logró aislar Listeria monocytogenes de una muestra de pollo (2%) y de una muestra de verdura (2%), correspondiendo esta última a espárragos. Las cepas fueron aisladas empleando agar Oxford y agar Palcam como medios selectivos e identificadas mediante pruebas bioquímicas. Palabras clave: Listeria monocytogenes, pollos frescos, verduras frescas, mercados, Lima. / From the 80’s, the increase of cases of human listeriosis and their possible relationship with contaminated foods, has come worrying to the worldwide sanitary authorities. Although in our country there are not reports of an association between listeriosis and contaminated foods, but, studies have been reported that have identified this bacterium in fresh and processed marine products, raw milk and their derived. The objective of the present research was to determine the incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in chickens and vegetables, obtained of diverse centers of supply and markets of Metropolitan Lima. In total, it was analyzed 100 samples, of which 50 were of fresh chicken meat and the other 50 ones of fresh vegetables (asparagus, cabbage, celery, spinach and lettuce). The microbiological analysis was carried out according to the methodology recommended in the Bacteriological Analytical Manual of the FDA and NF ISO 11290- 1. It was achieved to isolate Listeria monocytogenes from a chicken sample (2%) and from a sample of vegetable (2%), corresponding this last one to asparaguses. The strains were isolated using Oxford agar and Palcam agar like selective mediums and identified by means of biochemical tests. Key words: Listeria monocytogenes, fresh chicken, fresh vegetables, city of Lima, markets. / Tesis

Listeria monocytogenes leads to severe health problems and is the third leading cause of death among the major 5 pathogens. A synthesized novel sugar ester, lactose monolaurate (LML), has antimicrobial properties against Listeria monocytogenes. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of LML is less than 5 mg/mL (9.5 mM) in growth media. To determine which moiety of LML dominates in its bacteriostatic activities, the antibacterial effect of lactose, lauric acid and Tween 20 were tested. Lactose has no inhibition effect on Listeria. Lauric acid and Tween 20 had some antimicrobial effect (3.48 and 1.59 log reduction respectively), but did not have a bactericidal effect as LML did. To determine the antibacterial effect of LML on L. monocytogenes a 5-strain cocktail of L. monocytogenes with an initial concentration of approximately 5 log CFU/mL was incubated in milk, yogurt and cottage cheese. The effects were determined via plate counts after 24-hour incubation at 37°C. LML had at least a 4 log reduction and killed all the bacteria at 5 mg/mL in fat-free milk, fat-free drinkable yogurt, 1% fat drinkable yogurt, and fat-free cottage cheese. LML also showed bacteriostatic effect in low-fat milk, whole milk, 1.5% fat drinkable yogurt, and 2% fat cottage cheese with a log reduction varying from 3.54 to 4.35. These tests showed that the antibacterial effect of LML was related to the fat content of the dairy products as well as temperature. LML only inhibited Listeria at room temperature (37°C) and showed no inhibitive effects at refrigeration temperature (4°C). LML can inhibit the viable but nonculturable state of Listeria monocytogenes for up to 6 weeks at room temperature.

Unter den sechs Arten der Gattung Listeria finden sich nur zwei pathogene Spezies. L. monocytogenes ist pathogen für Mensch und Tier, L. ivanovii nur tierpathogen. Beide Arten besitzen ein Virulenzgencluster, das auch als Pathogenitätsinsel LIPI-1 bezeichnet wird. Pathogenitätsinseln (PAIs) sind bei gram-negativen Bakterien weit verbreitet, wurden bei gram-positiven Pathogenen bisher jedoch nur selten beschrieben. In L. ivanovii wurde nun ein weiterer Virulenz-assoziierter, instabiler Chromosomenabschnitt entdeckt, der in einem Teilbereich Eigenschaften einer Pathogenitätsinsel besitzt. Ausgehend von einem spontanen, aber reproduzierbaren Deletionsereignis eines großen Genomabschnitts, der einige schon bekannte Virulenz-assoziierte Gene umfasst (i-inlE, i-inlF, smcL), wurden in Zusammenarbeit mit den Kooperationspartnern an der "Universidad Complutense de Madrid", insbesondere mit G. Domínguez-Bernal die komplette deletierte Region sowie flankierende Genombereiche genauer analysiert. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit konnten rechts von dem bereits charakterisierten Gen smcL 13 neue Open Reading Frames (ORFs) bzw. Gene (ydeI, rnaH, norA) von L. ivanovii identifiziert werden, die größtenteils in der Deletionsmutante L. ivanovii GD-3 deletiert waren. Für die meisten Open Reading Frames konnten Homologien zu ORFs in den Genomsequenzen von L. monocytogenes und der apathogenen Art L. innocua gefunden werden. Eigene experimentelle Analysen zeigten zudem, dass diese ORFs in ähnlicher Anordnung auch in den apathogenen Arten L. seeligeri und L. welshimeri vorhanden sind, was wahrscheinlich macht, dass sie nicht an der Virulenz von Listerien beteiligt sind. G. Domínguez-Bernal fand im links von smcL liegenden Bereich eine Reihe neuer Internalingene, die alle spezifisch für L. ivanovii sind. Für die Gene i-inlE, i-inlF und smcL ist bereits bekannt, dass diese Virulenz-assoziiert sind. Dies führte zur Definition einer neuen, LIPI-2 genannten Pathogenitätsinsel in L. ivanovii, die außer smcL und i-inlFE alle neu gefundenen Internalingene umfasst. In dieser Arbeit durchgeführte Untersuchungen der LIPI-2 flankierenden Bereiche zeigten, dass diese in L. monocytogenes und auch den apathogenen Arten L. innocua, L. seeligeri und L. welshimeri bemerkenswert konserviert sind. Durch Transkriptionsuntersuchungen mittels RT-PCR wurde die Expression der neu identifizierten Gene analysiert. Hierbei wurden verschiedene Kulturbedingungen untersucht sowie die Transkription nach Infektion mehrerer Zelllinien bestimmt. Bei der Sequenzanalyse wurde für fast alle Internalingene eine PrfA-Box identifiziert und es bestätigte sich in dieser Arbeit, dass die meisten der Internalingene PrfA-abhängig exprimiert werden. Allerdings wiesen die einzelnen Gene kein einheitliches Transkriptionsprofil unter verschiedenen in vitro-Bedingungen auf. Eine Analyse der Genexpression nach Infektion verschiedener Zelllinien zeigte schließlich, dass die Internalingene während einer Infektion differentiell transkribiert werden und möglicherweise am Infektionsgeschehen beteiligt sind. Das Expressionsmuster der zu LIPI-2 benachbarten Open Reading Frames bestätigte, dass diese Gene PrfA-unabhängig und unter verschiedenen Bedingungen konstitutiv exprimiert werden. Das Expressionsmuster dieser Gene läßt den Schluss zu, dass sie vermutlich nicht zur Virulenz von L. ivanovii beitragen. Die Untersuchung der Virulenzclustergene in LIPI-1 schließlich zeigte eine deutliche PrfA-Abhängigkeit der Genexpression. Es konnte bestätigt werden, dass deren Transkription unter PrfA-induzierenden Bedingungen verstärkt wird. Zudem fand sich auch nach Infektion eine deutliche Expression dieser Gene. / Among the six species of Listeria only two are pathogenic. Whereas L. monocytogenes is pathogenic for men and animals, L. ivanovii only causes Listeriosis in animals. Both pathogenic species possess a virulence gene cluster, which is also designated as pathogenicity island LIPI-1. Pathogenicity islands (PAIs) are widespread among gram-negative bacteria, but so far have rarely been described for gram-positive pathogens. In L. ivanovii, an additional virulence-associated unstable part of the chromosome has recently been discovered, parts of which have some characteristics of a pathogenicity island. Starting from a spontaneous but reproducible deletion event of a big part of the genome which carries some known virulence associated genes (i-inlE, i-inlF, smcL), the complete deleted area plus flanking regions were analyzed in co-operation with G. Domínguez-Bernal from the "Universidad Complutense de Madrid". Within this work 13 new open reading frames (ORFs) resp. genes (ydeI, rnaH, norA) on the right side of the smcL gene could be identified in L. ivanovii. Most of them were deleted in the deletion mutant L ivanovii GD-3. Most of the open reading frames show homologies to ORFs also found in the genome sequences of L. monocytogenes and the apathogenic species L. innocua. Own experimental analyses showed, that the genes identified in this work are also present in the apathogenic species L. seeligeri and L. welshimeri. From this it can be concluded that they presumably are not involved in L. ivanovii virulence. G. Domínguez-Bernal discovered several new internalin genes on the left side of the smcL gene. All these genes are specific for L. ivanovii. For i-inlE, i-inlF and smcL it has already been shown that they are virulence associated. This lead to the definition of a new pathogenicity island (LIPI-2) in L. ivanovii, which, in addition to smcL and i-inlFE, comprises all newly found internalin genes. Study of the regions flanking LIPI-2 showed that these are considerably conserved in L. monocytogenes as well as in the apathogenic species L. innocua, L. seeligeri and L. welshimeri. By means of RT-PCR the expression of the new identified genes was analyzed. For this, different culture conditions and transcription after infection of several cell lines were examined. By sequence analysis, a PrfA-box has been identified in front of almost all internalin genes. This work confirmed, that the expression of most internalin genes is PrfA-dependent. However, the transcription pattern was not uniform under different in vitro conditions. Finally, the analysis of gene expression after infection of several cell lines showed, that the internalin genes are transcribed differentially during infection. From this it can be concluded that they may have a role in the infection process. The expression pattern of the open reading frames flanking LIPI-2 confirmed, that these genes are transcribed PrfA independently and constitutively in vitro. This suggests that they do not contribute to virulence of L. ivanovii. Examination of the virulence cluster genes finally showed, that there is a strong PrfA dependency in gene expression. It could be confirmed, that the transcription of these genes is increased under PrfA inducing conditions. In addition, after infection also a strong expression could be detected.

Listeria monocytogenes is the etiological agent of a life-threatening, opportunistic infection caused by the ingestion of contaminated foods. Although L. monocytogenes is divided into 13 serotypes, 98% of human illness is caused by serotype 1/2a, 1/2b and 4b strains, with serotype 4b accounting for almost all the major outbreaks of human listeriosis. The principle objective of this work was to develop surface-binding monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) highly specific for serotype 4b, as well as characterize their antigen targets to aid in the detection and isolation of serotype 4b strains using an antibody based procedure. To create such antibodies, mice were immunized with formalin killed whole cells of L. monocytogenes serotype 4b strain LI0521. A total of 15 MAbs reactive to serotype 4b isolates were shown to recognize a ~77 kDa surface antigen subsequently identified by mass spectrometry as surface associated autolysin, IspC. Epitope mapping experiments further revealed that each of the 15 MAbs bound to the cell wall binding GW domain of IspC and can be essentially divided into 4 major groups based on epitope localization. ELISA analysis of the reactivity of each of the MAbs with various L. monocytogenes serotypes indicated that several MAbs were 100% specific for serotype 4b isolates. Surface plasmon resonance experiments showed that the affinity constants for each of these MAbs fell within the range of 1.0 x 10-7 to 6.4 x 10-9 M. To determine whether IspC, shown to be well conserved among various serotype 4b strains, is a useful diagnostic marker with antibody-based methods, the expression of IspC was assessed in L. monocytogenes cultured under normal and stress conditions. A functional promoter directing the transcription of ispC gene was identified immediately upstream of the ispC open reading frame by constructing the promoterless lacZ gene fusion with the putative ispC promoter region and by 5'RACE analysis. Data obtained with the lacZ reporter gene system and immunofluorescent microscopy revealed that IspC is expressed on the cell surface under all growth conditions tested (temperature, osmotic stress, pH, ethanol, oxidative stress, anaerobic conditions, carbon source and enrichment media) that allow for cellular division, although the level of ispC gene expression varies. In addition, a significant effort were put into elucidating the hydrolytic bond specificity of IspC by HPLC and mass spectrometry analysis of muropeptides released from IspC-mediated hydrolysis of L. monocytogenes peptidoglycan (PG). The results demonstrated that IspC functions as an N-acetylglucosaminidase capable of cleaving the β-1,4-glycosidic bond of the PG glycan strand. Furthermore, IspC was more efficient at hydrolysing fully Nacetylated PG from a PG deacetylase gene (pgdA) deletion mutant of L. monocytogenes than partially de-N-acetylated wild-type PG, indicating that modification of PG by de-Nacetylation of GlcNAc residues renders PG resistant to IspC hydrolysis. In conclusion, the surface autolysin IspC with the N-acetylglucosaminidase activity is a novel diagnostic marker for the 4b serotype strains, which can be explored , in conjunction with specific MAbs developed here, for detection and isolation of L. monocytogenes serotype 4b strains directly from food, environmental and clinical samples with the need for minimal or no culture enrichment.

El consumo de jamón curado de pavo en lonchas es elevado en los países de cultura anglosajona. Las industrias que elaboran este producto se encuentran con la situación de que en la Unión Europea no existe una legislación sobre las tolerancias microbiológicas para los productos curados derivados de las carnes de las aves de corral. Esta falta de legislación específica provoca que los países consumidores apliquen sus propias exigencias sanitarias, que pueden ser diferentes según el cliente. Esto comporta un problema para los industriales homologados, ya que algunos clientes exigen que este producto sea conservado a temperaturas de refrigeración durante su vida comercial, ya que lo consideran como carne fresca.Los objetivos que se plantearon para el estudio fueron los siguientes: Conocer la incidencia, el comportamiento y la supervivencia de Salmonella choleraesuis y de Listeria innocua en las pechugas de pavo frescas; durante el proceso de elaboración de pechugas de pavo curadas; durante la vida comercial del producto mantenido a distintas temperaturas de conservación (4º y 20ºC) y con diferentes tratamientos tecnológicos (vacío y altas presiones); así como la influencia de la flora acompañante sobre la supervivencia de estos microorganismos.Para el estudio se elaboraron tres partidas según la fórmula tradicional utilizada por la industria, a las cuales se les inoculó S. choleraesuis y L. innocua. Cada partida fue dividida en cuatro lotes sometidos, cada uno de ellos, a condiciones distintas. Los lotes 1 y 2, tratados al vacío y con altas presiones, respectivamente, fueron conservados a 4ºC. Los lotes 3 y 4, igualmente tratados al vacío y con altas presiones, se conservaron a 20ºC.Una vez finalizado el estudio de las tres partidas anteriores, se elaboró una cuarta partida para comprobar los resultados obtenidos y para conocer y estudiar el efecto de la flora acompañante sobre la supervivencia de L. innocua. Esta partida se elaboró a partir de jamón curado de pavo en lonchas, envasado al vacío en envase comercial, al que se le había inoculado L. innocua. Posteriormente, se dividió la partida en cuatro lotes con las mismas características de conservación y tratamiento tecnológico que las descritas anteriormente.En las muestras de pechugas de pavo frescas pertenecientes a las tres primeras partidas no se detectó la presencia de Listeria ni de Salmonella. Durante la maduración y curado de las pechugas de pavo, la población de L. innocua disminuyó 6 unidades logarítmicas, mientras que S. choleraesuis no fue detectada al final del proceso de maduración.Los recuentos de L. innocua se mantuvieron constantes durante la vida comercial del jamón curado de pavo mantenido a 4ºC, mientras que disminuyeron cuando se conservaron a 20ºC (al séptimo mes el microorganismo no se detectó). El tratamiento con altas presiones (400 MPa / 10 min / 12ºC) no afectó al comportamiento y supervivencia de L. innocua durante la vida comercial del producto.La flora acompañante del jamón de pavo curado influyó en el comportamiento de L. innocua. A 4ºC, la flora acompañante no influyó en L. innocua. Sin embargo, a 20ºC la competencia por los nutrientes y la producción de metabolitos bacterianos afectaron a la supervivencia de L. innocua. / Consumption of sliced cured turkey ham is high in Anglo-Saxon countries. Industries involved in the elaboration of this product found that the European Union legislation does not include microbiological levels for poultry cured. For that reason, the consumer countries apply their own safety measures which can be different from one to another. That fact is a problem for the industries. Some clients demand that this product be storaged at refrigeration temperatures during its commercial life, because they consider it as raw meat.The aim of this study was to know the incidence, the behaviour and the survival of Salmonella choleraesuis and Listeria innocua in raw poultry breasts; along the elaboration procedure of cured turkey breasts; along the shelf life of the product storaged at different temperatures (4º or 20ºC) and with different technological treatments (vacuum or high pressure); and, the influence of another flora also present in the product on the survival of these microorganisms.According to the industry elaboration process, three sets of raw turkey breasts were made and inoculated with S. choleraesuis and L. innocua. Each set was divided in four bactches and storaged at different conditions: Batch 1 (4ºC, vacuum), 2 (4ºC, high pressure), 3 (20ºC, vacuum), and 4 (20ºC, high pressure).When the study of that three sets was finished, a fourth set was elaborated in order to probe the obtained results and, moreover, to know the effect of another flora on the survival of L. innocua. This set was elaborated with sliced cured turkey ham, vacuum packaged in commercial film wrapping, and inoculated with L. innocua. Afterwards, this set was divided in four batches as it has been previously described.Listeria or Salmonella were not detected in raw turkey breast samples. Population of L. innocua decreased 6 logarithmic cycles during the cured period. However, S. choleraesuis was not detected at the end of that period.Counts of L. innocua were constant during the commercial shelf life of the cured turkey ham storaged at 4ºC. However, that counts decreased when the product was storaged at 20ºC (the microorganism was not detected on seventh month). The processing treatment with high pressure (400 MPa / 10 min / 12ºC) did not affect the behaviour and survival of L. innocua along the commercial shelf life of the product.Flora also present in the cured turkey ham showed some influence on the behaviour of L. innocua. At 4ºC, that flora did not affect L. innocua. However, the competence for nutrients and the production of bacterial metabolites affected the survival of L. innocua.