The two-component-system histidine kinases LiaS contributes to stress resistance and virulence of zoonotic Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes (LM), a psychrotolerant gram-positive pathogen, poses a grave public health risk because of its capacity to persist in refrigerated food chains and withstand extreme stressors.

Listeria monocytogenes employs two-component systems (TCSs), ubiquitous bacterial signaling modules comprising a histidine kinase (HK) and a response regulator (RR), to navigate environmental challenges.

This study aimed to systematically elucidate the role of LiaS in acid, alkali, osmotic, oxidative stress, heavy metals, and pathogenesis and to further explore the molecular mechanism of LiaS and provide strategies for infectious diseases, the interaction between host and pathogen, and antimicrobial development.

All experimental procedures were conducted in compliance with China’s Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals and were approved by the Zhejiang Provincial Science and Technology Department’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (Permit Number: ZAFUAC2022033).