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This Article Free via Open Access: OA OA Free Full Text Full Text (PDF) OA All Versions of this Article: jmm.0.014092-0v1 58/12/1533    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Google Scholar Articles by Merritt, M. E. Articles by Donaldson, J. R. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Merritt, M. E. Articles by Donaldson, J. R. Agricola Articles by Merritt, M. E. Articles by Donaldson, J. R.

Effect of bile salts on the DNA and membrane integrity of enteric bacteria

Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Box GY, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA

Correspondence
Janet R. Donaldson
donaldson{at}biology.msstate.edu

Enteric bacteria are able to resist the high concentrations of bile encountered throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Here we review the current mechanisms identified in the enteric bacteria Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus and Listeria monocytogenes to resist the dangerous effects of bile. We describe the role of membrane transport systems, and their connection with DNA repair pathways, in conferring bile resistance to these enterics. We discuss the findings from recent investigations that indicate bile tolerance is dependent upon being able to resist the detergent properties of bile at both the membrane and DNA level.