Media Ion Composition Controls Regulatory and Virulence Response of Salmonella in Spaceflight

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003923
• Publication Date: 2008-12-12T00:19:06Z
• Authors: James W. Wilson; C. Mark Ott; Laura Quick; Richard Davis; Kerstin Höner zu ...; Aurélie Crabbé; Emily Richter; Shameema Sarker; Jennifer Barrila; Steffen Porwollik; Pui Cheng; Michael McClelland; George Tsaprailis; Timothy Radabaugh; Andrea Hunt; Miti Shah; Mayra Nelman-Gonz...; Steve Hing; Macarena Parra; Paula Dumars; Kelly Norwood; Ramona Bober; Jennifer Devich; Ashleigh Ruggles; Autumn CdeBaca; Satro Narayan; Joseph Benjamin; Carla Goulart; Mark Rupert; Luke Catella; Michael J. Schurr; Kent Buchanan; Lisa Morici; James McCracken; Marc D. Porter; Duane L. Pierson; Scott M. Smith; Max Mergeay; Natalie Leys; Heidemarie M. Ste...; Dominic Gorie; Cheryl A. Nickerson
• Keywords: Spaceflight

The spaceflight environment is relevant to conditions encountered by pathogens during the course of infection and induces novel changes in microbial pathogenesis not observed using conventional methods. It unclear how cells sense spaceflight-associated their growth orchestrate corresponding molecular physiological phenotypes process. Here we report that spaceflight-induced increases Salmonella virulence are regulated media ion composition, phosphate sufficient alter related responses a analogue model. Using whole genome microarray proteomic analyses from two independent Space Shuttle missions, identified evolutionarily conserved pathways respond under all compositions tested. Identification regulatory paradigms opens new avenues control process holds promise provide an improved understanding human health disease on Earth.