Open AccessAcid sensitivity of neomycin‐resistant mutants of Oenococcus oeni : a relationship between reduction of ATPase activity and lack of malolactic activity
Author(s) -
TourdotMaréchal Raphaëlle,
Fortier LouisCharles,
Guzzo Jean,
Lee Byong,
Diviès Charles
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1999.tb08694.x
Subject(s) - oenococcus oeni , mutant , malolactic fermentation , neomycin , biochemistry , biology , strain (injury) , chemistry , bacteria , lactic acid , genetics , gene , antibiotics , anatomy
Mutants of Oenococcus oeni were isolated as spontaneous neomycin‐resistant mutants. Three of these mutants harbored a significantly reduced ATPase activity that represented 50% of that of the wild‐type strain. Their growth rates were also impaired at pH 5.3 (46–86% of the wild‐type level). However, the profiles of sugar consumption appeared identical to those of the parental strain. At pH 3.2, all the mutant strains failed to grow and a drastic decrease in viability was observed after an acid shock. Surprisingly, all the isolated mutants were devoid of malolactic activity. These results suggest that the ATPase and malolactic activities of O. oeni are linked to each other and play a crucial role in the mechanism of resistance to an acid stress.