Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 5, 2026
Extraction and Visualization of Protein Aggregates after Treatment of Escherichia coli with a Proteotoxic Stressor
Published on: June 29, 2021
Transcriptome analysis of Enterococcus faecalis in response to alkaline stress
Shujun Ran1, Bin Liu1, Wei Jiang1
1Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Endodontics and Operative Dentistry, School of Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai, China.
Enterococcus faecalis survives alkaline stress by altering gene expression. This bacterium reduces carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism while increasing nucleotide synthesis to adapt to high pH environments, offering potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Enterococcus faecalis is a common cause of endodontic failure.
- Its persistence is linked to resistance to high pH stress in root canals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the Enterococcus faecalis transcriptome under alkaline stress.
- To identify genes involved in alkaline stress response and resistance.
Main Methods:
- Illumina HiSeq 2000 sequencing was used to analyze the transcriptome.
- Enterococcus faecalis was cultured in pH 10 medium.
Main Results:
- Alkaline stress significantly impacted gene transcription, with 613 differentially expressed genes (DEGs).
- 211 genes were upregulated (nucleotide metabolism) and 402 were downregulated (energy, carbohydrate, amino acid metabolism).
- Enterococcus faecalis formed biofilms in pH 10 conditions.
Conclusions:
- Enterococcus faecalis adapts to alkaline stress by shifting metabolic pathways.
- Regulated genes present potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies against E. faecalis infections.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Stringent Response in E. coli
01:30Other Stress Responses in Bacteria