Abstract 2221 Mechanisms of Thermotolerance and Magnesium Transport Regulation in Salmonella enterica

The Csonka laboratory focuses on investigating the regulation of thermotolerance in Salmonella enterica and the cellular response to low magnesium levels. Through genetic mapping and physiological studies, they identified mutations in Salmonella that enhance thermotolerance independently of osmotic stress by upregulating genes related to Mgˆ2+ uptake. These mutations also alter membrane fatty acid composition, leading to improved membrane integrity under high-temperature stress. Our future research aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of increased Mgˆ2+ transport gene expression on membrane composition and to explore the transcriptional control of Mgˆ2+ transport genes in wild-type Salmonella.