Abstract
Bacteria and archaea occupy a considerable diversity of niches that vary with respect to the physical conditions. Survival and colonisation requires the capacity to sense, and adapt to, environmental change. In this short review we consider the issues of adaptation to acidic conditions, in particular the mechanisms that might be employed by different bacteria to respond to the specific challenges of their niche. We lay particular emphasis on the protection of the cytoplasm during alterations of the cytoplasmic pH and, in the Gram negative bacteria, on recent work that suggests that protection of the periplasm is critical for survival of exposure to extreme acid. Finally, we discuss potential mechanisms by which pH might be sensed and consider the insights gained from proteins that sense and respond specifically to changes in pH.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 33-42 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Antonie van Leeuwenhoek |
Volume | 81 |
Issue number | 1-4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2002 |
Keywords
- acid adaptation
- amino acid decarboxylases
- enteric bacteria
- Helicobacter pylori
- urease
- ENTERICA SEROVAR TYPHIMURIUM
- CYCLOPROPANE FATTY-ACIDS
- ESCHERICHIA-COLI O157-H7
- SIGMA-FACTOR SIGMA(S)
- HELICOBACTER-PYLORI
- LOW-PH
- TOLERANCE RESPONSE
- SALMONELLA-TYPHIMURIUM
- GENE-EXPRESSION
- UREASE ACTIVITY