RpoE mediates environmental stress tolerance and biofilm formation in foodborne Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus(S. aureus)is a serious foodborne pathogen that is frequently found in food processing facilities like dairy farms. Despite its well-established function in dangerous microbes such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, the functional mechanisms of the σ factor encoded by rpoE in S. aureus remain poorly understood. S. aureus RMSA49 was used as the experimental strain in this investigation. This work examined the function of rpoE in foodborne S. aureus antibiotic susceptibility, biofilm formation, and environmental stress tolerance. Deletion of rpoE impaired tolerance to environmental stresses (acid, heat, desiccation, osmotic stress, H₂O₂). While tolerance to H₂O₂ has dropped by around 99%, resistance to acids, heat, and desiccation has decreased by about 50-60%. Additionally, it inhibits biofilm formation and increases antibiotic susceptibility (Biofilm reduction was approximately 65%). Using transcriptome analysis to determine the gene regulation mechanisms of rpoE in S. aureus. This work shows that rpoE plays a crucial role in antibiotic tolerance and environmental stress responses, offering a new possible target for the prevention and management of foodborne S. aureus. It provides a theoretical foundation for lowering the incidence of illnesses like food poisoning and mastitis brought on by the bacteria.