Effect of L-arabinose on internal and external pH of PHL628 Escherichia coli
Location
CELA & Mary Church Terrell Library, First Floor
Document Type
Poster - Open Access
Start Date
4-25-2025 12:00 PM
End Date
4-25-2025 2:00 PM
Abstract
Understanding how environmental sugars influence intracellular pH (pHi) is crucial, as pHi homeostasis can be impacted through biofilm formation in Escherichia coli. Biofilms—structured communities of bacteria attached to surfaces—protect the cells from environmental stressors, including desiccation and exposure to antibiotics. Altered pHi regulation within biofilms may be able to affect bacterial metabolism, stress response pathways, and even the efficacy of antibiotics. In this project, we examined whether the presence of L-arabinose, a common pentose, affects the pHi of E. coli. Our previous transcriptomic data for PHL628 biofilm and planktonic cells in the presence of arabinose showed the activation of pH-responsive stress pathways and efflux pumps, among other changes to metabolic pathways. This protocol enables us to compare intracellular acidification in arabinose-treated and untreated cells. It provides insights into the role of araE, an arabinose symporter, in pH regulation and the metabolic response to L-arabinose. Our findings shed light on how E. coli adjusts its pHi under varying environmental conditions, with implications for biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance.
Keywords:
Bacteria, Biofilm, pH
Recommended Citation
Neighmond, Audrey, "Effect of L-arabinose on internal and external pH of PHL628 Escherichia coli" (2025). Research Symposium. 14.
https://digitalcommons.oberlin.edu/researchsymp/2025/posters/14
Major
Biology
Psychology
Project Mentor(s)
Lisa Ryno, Chemistry and Biochemistry
2025
Effect of L-arabinose on internal and external pH of PHL628 Escherichia coli
CELA & Mary Church Terrell Library, First Floor
Understanding how environmental sugars influence intracellular pH (pHi) is crucial, as pHi homeostasis can be impacted through biofilm formation in Escherichia coli. Biofilms—structured communities of bacteria attached to surfaces—protect the cells from environmental stressors, including desiccation and exposure to antibiotics. Altered pHi regulation within biofilms may be able to affect bacterial metabolism, stress response pathways, and even the efficacy of antibiotics. In this project, we examined whether the presence of L-arabinose, a common pentose, affects the pHi of E. coli. Our previous transcriptomic data for PHL628 biofilm and planktonic cells in the presence of arabinose showed the activation of pH-responsive stress pathways and efflux pumps, among other changes to metabolic pathways. This protocol enables us to compare intracellular acidification in arabinose-treated and untreated cells. It provides insights into the role of araE, an arabinose symporter, in pH regulation and the metabolic response to L-arabinose. Our findings shed light on how E. coli adjusts its pHi under varying environmental conditions, with implications for biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance.
Notes
Presenter: Audrey Neighmond