Availability of glutamate and arginine during acid challenge determines cell density-dependent survival phenotype of Escherichia coli strains.

The cell density-dependent acid sensitivity phenotypes of Escherichia coli strains K-12 and O157:H7 were examined with reference to three possible mechanisms of acid resistance. There was no evidence of any diffusible substance released from dead cells which could influence the cell density-dependent acid survival phenotype. Instead, cell density-dependent acid survival phenotype was associated with induction of glutamate- and arginine-decarboxylase acid survival pathways and concomitant availability of glutamate and arginine during acid challenge.