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Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Experimental Infection with Listeria monocytogenes as a Model for Studying Host Interferon-γ Responses
Published on: November 16, 2016
Sense and sensor ability: redox-responsive regulators in Listeria monocytogenes
Brittany R Ruhland1, Michelle L Reniere1
1Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Abstract:
Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a Gram-positive bacterium that thrives in nature as a saprophyte and in the mammalian host as an intracellular pathogen. Both environments pose potential danger in the form of redox stress. In addition, endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) are continuously generated as by-products of aerobic metabolism. Redox stress from ROS can damage proteins, lipids, and DNA, making it highly advantageous for bacteria to evolve mechanisms to sense and detoxify ROS. This review focuses on the five redox-responsive regulators in Lm: OhrR (to sense organic hydroperoxides), PerR (peroxides), Rex (NAD+/NADH homeostasis), SpxA1/2 (disulfide stress), and PrfA (redox stress during infection).
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