Abstract

We have investigated a potential link between small heat shock proteins (sHsps) and membranes in Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1. The sHsp family is the best characterized protein subset among the L. plantarum Hsps, and it represents the principal heat shock regulon of Gram-positive bacteria in this bacterium. Exposure to benzylic alcohol (BA) (60 mM) alone was found to cause membrane fluidization in the absence of any other stress and to induce transcription of the heat shock genes (shs) to the same extent as a lethal heat shock. Using a fluorescence anisotropy-based method, we detected a reduction in the maximal fluidification level in two L. plantarum strains that singly over-produce Hsp18.5 and Hsp19.3. Overall, these results indicate that, under the stress conditions analysed, these two members of the sHsps family of L. plantarum WCFS1 have a membraneactivating effect. The findings also form a basis for proposing membrane fluidity as a new target for prestress treatments to enhance probiotic, food starter and bioproduction applications of L. plantarum.

Autore Pugliese

• Fiocco Daniela

Tutti gli autori

• V. Capozzi , D. Fiocco , S. Weidmann , J. Guzzo , G. Spano.

Titolo volume/Rivista

ANNALS OF MICROBIOLOGY

Anno di pubblicazione

2012

ISSN

1590-4261

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Numero di citazioni Scopus

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Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Settori ERC

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Codici ASJC

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