A Shift to Human Body Temperature (37°C) Rapidly Reprograms Multiple Adaptive Responses in Escherichia coli That Would Facilitate Niche Survival and Colonization

Abstract

As one of the first cues sensed by the microbe upon entry into a human host, understanding how bacteria like E. coli modulate gene expression in response to temperature improves our understanding of how bacteria immediately initiate responses beneficial for survival and colonization. For pathogens, understanding the various pathways of thermal regulation could yield valuable targets for anti-infective chemotherapeutic drugs or disinfection measures.