Inhibitory effects of the κ-casein macropeptide isolated from milk protein on the biofilm formation and virulence of Listeria monocytogenes

Abstract

We demonstrate the inhibitory effects of κ-casein macropeptide (CMP) on the biofilm formation and virulence of Listeria monocytogenes Scott A. The inhibition of biofilm formation by CMP was initially investigated by using the protocol applied for the 96-well microtiter plate assay. Low concentrations of CMP (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 mg/mL) that were tested resulted in a profound inhibitory effect on biofilm formation at a concentration of 0.4 mg/mL. CMP also significantly repressed the transcription of inlA (encoding internalin A) that was responsible for the initial adhesion and invasion event, and prolonged the survival of Caenorhabditis elegans infected by L. monocytogenes. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed that newly identified proteins in the presence of CMP were involved in the stress response and metabolic processes that have important roles in developing listerial biofilms. Our results suggest that CMP from milk protein would be capable of eliminating biofilm formation and virulence by L. monocytogenes in the food industry.

Key words:

• biofilm formation
• Caenorhabditis elegans
• κ-casein macropeptide
• Listeria monocytogenes
• two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Dr Joseph F. Frank (University of Georgia) for providing us with L. monocytogenes Scott A.

Funding

This work was supported by the Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science & Technology Development [project number PJ009769] of the Rural Development Administration in Republic of Korea (Y.K.).