Complete genome sequence of the marine fish pathogen Vibrio anguillarum and genome-wide transposon mutagenesis analysis of genes essential for in vivo infection.

Vibrio anguillarum is a notorious bacterial pathogen that causes vibriosis in various marine farmed fish species. The highly pathogenic V. anguillarum strain MVM425 has been isolated from moribund turbot in the China Yellow Sea, but the genetic basis for its pathogenesis is undefined. Complete genome sequencing uncovered that the bacterium encodes 3985 protein-coding sequences (CDSs) on two chromosomes and 62 CDSs on the virulence plasmid pEIB1. To investigate the genes that are essential for its in vitro and in vivo growth, we applied transposon insertion sequencing technology (Tn-seq) to screen a highly saturated transposon insertion mutant library grown in Luria-Bertani broth with 2% NaCl (LB20) and in its natural host turbot. Tn-seq identified 473 and ∼173 putative genes as essential for its growth in rich medium and the in vivo infection process, respectively. Additionally, our analysis revealed that the genes are associated to various fitness levels in the liver, spleen and kidney, suggesting different genetic requirements for colonization in these organs. Furthermore, we validated our Tn-seq data using gene knockout mutants and in vivo infection experiments. Comprehensive functional genomics analysis highlighted the conditionally essential genes for important pathways involved in energy metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, nucleotide synthesis, amino acid synthesis, cofactors, siderophore synthesis, secretion (T1SS, T2SS, and T6SS), quorum sensing, and flagellum biosynthesis. This study provides a wealth of information about V. anguillarum genes related to infection in fish and will facilitate the understanding of its pathogenesis as well as the development of diagnostics and vaccines against the pathogen.

Guanhua Y ，Wang C ，Wang X ，Ma R ，Zheng H ，Liu Q ，Zhang Y ，Ma Y ，Wang Q ... -  《-》

Complete sequence of virulence plasmid pEIB1 from the marine fish pathogen Vibrio anguillarum strain MVM425 and location of its replication region.

Wu H ，Ma Y ，Zhang Y ，Zhang H ... -  《JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY》

Chemotactic motility is required for invasion of the host by the fish pathogen Vibrio anguillarum.

O'Toole R ，Milton DL ，Wolf-Watz H 《MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY》

Identification, characterization and complete genome analysis of a Vibrio anguillarum isolated from Sebastes schlegelii.

Vibrio anguillarum is an important fish pathogen in mariculture, which can infect fish with great economic losses. In this study, a Vibrio anguillarum isolated from Sebastes schlegelii was named VA1 and was identified and characterized from aspects of morphology, physiological and biochemical characteristics, 16SRNA, virulence genes, drug sensitivity, and extracellular enzyme activity. At the same time, The VA1 was investigated at the genomic level. The results showed that a Gram-negative was isolated from the diseased fish. The VA1 was characterized with uneven surface and visible flagella wrapped in a sheath and microbubble structures. The VA1 was identified as Vibrio anguillarum based on the 16S RNA sequence and physiological and biochemical characteristics. The VA1 carried most of the virulence genes (24/29) and was resistant to penicillin, oxacillin, ampicillin, cefradine, neomycin, pipemidic acid, ofloxacin, and norfloxacin. The pathogenicity of the isolated strain was confirmed by an experimental analysis, and its LD50 was 6.43 × 106 CFU/ml. The VA1 had the ability to secrete gelatinase, protease, and amylase, and it had α-hemolysis. The whole genome size of the VA1 was 4232328bp and the G + C content was 44.95 %, consisting of two circular chromosomes, Chromosome1 and Chromosome2, with no plasmid. There were 1006 predicted protein coding sequences (CDSs). A total of 526 genes were predicted as virulence-related genes which could be classified as type IV pili, flagella, hemolysin, siderophore, and type VI secretion system. Virulence genes and correlation data were supported with the histopathological examination of the affected organs and tissues. 194 genes were predicted as antibiotic resistance genes, including fluoroquinolone antibiotic, aminoglycoside antibiotic, and beta-lactam resistant genes, which agreed with the results of the above drug sensitivity, indicating VA1 to be a multidrug-resistant bacterium. This study provided a theoretical basis for a better understanding of pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance, which might contribute to the prevention of V. anguillarum in the future.

Li Z ，Sun Y ，Tan R ，Gao Y ... -  《-》

Complete genome analysis of a virulent Vibrio scophthalmi strain VSc190401 isolated from diseased marine fish half-smooth tongue sole, Cynoglossus semilaevis.

Zhang Z ，Yu YX ，Wang YG ，Liu X ，Wang LF ，Zhang H ，Liao MJ ，Li B ... -  《BMC MICROBIOLOGY》