The presence of SigB in Listeria monocytogenes leads to hypersensitivity to hydrogen peroxide under aerobic conditions

Background: SigB is the main stress gene regulator in L. monocytogenes affecting the expression of more than 150 genes and thus contributing in multiple stress resistance. Despite its clear role in most stresses, there is a disambiguation regarding its role against oxidative stress with results ranging from hyperresistance to hypersensitivity that accompanies the loss of sigB. This discrepancy has previously been attributed to strain variability 1 .