Transcriptomic study on persistence and survival of Listeria monocytogenes following lethal treatment with nisin

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine gene expression associated with the persistence of a Listeria monocytogenes stationary-phase population when facing lethal nisin treatment. Methods: RNA-Seq analysis was used for gene expression profiling of persister cells in nutrient-rich medium (persister TN) compared with untreated cells (non-persister). The results were confirmed using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Results: Functional genes associated with the persister population were identified in multiple systems, such as heat-shock-related stress response, cell wall synthesis, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transport system, phosphotransferase system (PTS) and SOS/DNA repair. Conclusions: This study pointed to genetic regulation of persister cells exposed to lethal nisin concentrations and provides some insight into possible mechanisms of impeding bacterial persistence. (C) 2018 International Society for Chemotherapy of Infection and Cancer. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.