Open AccessRole of outer membrane lipopolysaccharides in the protection of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium from desiccation damage
Author(s) -
Garmiri Penelope,
Coles Karen E.,
Humphrey Tom J.,
Cogan Tristan A.
Publication year - 2008
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.1574-6968.2008.01093.x
Subject(s) - salmonella enterica , desiccation , lipopolysaccharide , bacterial outer membrane , microbiology and biotechnology , salmonella , bacteria , polysaccharide , osmotic concentration , biology , chemistry , sodium dodecyl sulfate , serotype , escherichia coli , biochemistry , botany , genetics , gene , endocrinology
The ability to survive desiccation between hosts is often essential to the success of pathogenic bacteria. The bacterial outer membrane is both the cellular interface with hostile environments and the focus of much of the drying‐induced damage. This study examined the contribution of outer membrane‐associated polysaccharides to the survival of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in air‐dried blood droplets following growth in high and low osmolarity medium and under conditions known to induce expression of these polysaccharides. Strains lacking the O polysaccharide (OPS) element of the outer membrane lipopolysaccharide were more sensitive to desiccation. Lipopolysaccharide core mutation further to OPS loss did not result in increased susceptibility to drying. Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed lipopolysaccharide profiles that supported the hypothesis that OPS expression is required for optimal drying resistance in S . Typhimurium. The role of O antigen in Salmonella spp. in maintaining a hydrated layer around the dried cell or in slowing the rate of dehydration and rehydration is discussed.