Transcriptomic analysis reveals differential infection of Listeria monocytogenes on fresh-cut cucumber and fresh-cut...

Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is a common foodborne pathogen that can contaminate various foods. In this study, we found that the growth of L. monocytogenes in fresh-cut pork was significantly higher than that in fresh-cut cucumber. Transcriptome analysis revealed that L. monocytogenes adhesion in both food matrices through flagellar assembly pathways, but the ways of regulation were different. In fresh-cut cucumber, it mainly tended to initiate de novo synthesis of flagella. In fresh-cut pork, it was achieved by activating pre-existing flagellar apparatus. In addition, to cope with nutritional stress in fresh-cut cucumber, L. monocytogenes activated the phosphotransferase system, fructose and mannan metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, amino acid, and nucleotide metabolism pathways. In contrast, in fresh-cut pork, it mainly activated the two-component system, ribosome, and glycolysis/ gluconeogenesis pathways, thereby promoting its rapid proliferation. RNA-Seq results were confirmed by RT-PCR. These results provide a theoretical basis for the future development of related prevention and control technologies.