Environmental conditions steer phenotypic switching in AHPND-causing Vibrio parahaemolyticus, affecting PirABVP toxin production
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ABSTRACT: Bacteria in nature are widely exposed to differential fluid shears which are often a trigger for phenotypic switches. The latter mediates transcriptional and translation remodeling of cellular metabolism impacting among others virulence, antimicrobial resistance and stress resistance. In this study, we evaluated the role of fluid shear on phenotypic switch in an acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND)-causing Vibrio parahaemolyticus M0904 strain under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. The results showed that V. parahaemolyticus M0904 grown at lower shaking speed (110 min-1 constant agitation, M0904/110), causing low fluid shear, develop cellular aggregates or floccules. These cells increased levan production (as verified by concanavalin binding) and developed differentially stained colonies on Congo Red agar plates and resistance to antibiotics. In addition, the phenotypic switch causes a major shift in the protein secretome. At 120 min-1 (M0904/120), PirA/B toxins are mainly produced, while at 110 min-1 PirA/B toxin production is stopped and an alkaline phosphatase PhoX becomes the dominant protein in the protein secretome. These observations are matched with a very strong reduction in virulence of M0904/110 towards two crustacean larvae, namely Artemia and Macrobrachium. Taken together, our study provides substantial evidence for the existence of two phenotypic forms in AHPND Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains displaying differential phenotypes that could be of interest in understanding the epidemiology of AHPND under aquaculture conditions. It might provide the basis for AHPND control by steering phenotypes.
INSTRUMENT(S): LTQ Orbitrap Elite
ORGANISM(S): Vibrio Parahaemolyticus
SUBMITTER: Delphi Van Haver
LAB HEAD: Peter Bossier
PROVIDER: PXD015617 | Pride | 2020-02-05
REPOSITORIES: Pride
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