# Association of the PhoQ/PhoP Stress Response System with the Internalization of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Romaine Lettuce

## TL;DR

This study explores how E. coli O157:H7 internalizes in romaine lettuce and identifies genetic factors linked to this process.

## Contribution

The study identifies ORF-4296 and the PhoQ/PhoP operon as potential genetic markers for E. coli O157 internalization in lettuce.

## Key findings

- E. coli O157 strains showed varied internalization abilities in romaine lettuce.
- ORF-4296 is present in internalizing strains but absent in non-internalizing strain 505B.
- PhoQ/PhoP operon is identical in internalizing strains but differs in 505B.

## Abstract

Foodborne illness associated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157) and romaine lettuce is a serious and persistent food safety issue. This study investigated the ability and associated genetic traits of five E. coli O157 strains—namely 86-24, 93-111, C7927, MF1847, and 505B—to internalize in romaine lettuce grown in soil and hydroponic systems. The results showed significant variations in the strains’ ability to internalize, with soil cultivation being more susceptible to E. coli O157 internalization relative to hydroponics. Whole-genome comparisons and an analysis of the five E. coli O157 strains revealed insights into the potential genetic traits associated with internalization capacity. A single unique gene, ORF-4296, was found to be present in all four internalizing strains (86-24, 93-111, C7927, and MF1847), but absent in the non-internalizing strain 505B. Immediately downstream of OFR-4296 is the PhoQ/PhoP operon, which regulates the important stress responses of E. coli O157. Our data showed that this operon was identical in the four internalizing strains but different in strain 505B. Specifically, the C-terminal of PhoQ in strain 505B had a distinct amino acid sequence. The inability of 505B to internalize may be linked to its lack of ORF-4296 and its distinctive C-terminal sequence of PhoQ.