Compatible solutes: The key to Listeria's success as a versatile gastrointestinal pathogen?

Abstract

Recently we reported a role for compatible solute uptake in mediating bile tolerance and increased gastrointestinal persistence in the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes 1. Herein, we review the evolution in our understanding of how these low molecular weight molecules contribute to growth and survival of the pathogen both inside and outside the body, and how this stress survival mechanism may ultimately be used to target and kill the pathogen. © 2010 Sleator and Hill; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.