Open AccessReprogramming of V ibrio harveyi gene expression during adaptation in cold seawater
Author(s) -
Montánchez Itxaso,
Arana Inés,
Parada Claudia,
Garaizabal Idoia,
Orruño Maite,
Barcina Isabel,
Kaberdin Vladimir R.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
fems microbiology ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.377
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1574-6941
pISSN - 0168-6496
DOI - 10.1111/1574-6941.12216
Subject(s) - vibrio harveyi , biology , adaptation (eye) , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , marine bacteriophage , gene , trehalose , seawater , gene expression , biochemistry , vibrio , ecology , genetics , neuroscience
The life and survival of the marine bacterium V ibrio harveyi during its adaptation in natural aquatic systems is highly influenced by the availability of nutrients and temperature. To learn about adaptation strategies evolved by this bacterium to cope with drastic temperature downshifts and nutrients depletion, we have studied the phenotypical and gene expression changes occurring in V . harveyi during its adaptation to cold seawater. We found that incubation in cold seawater up to 12 h did not cause any significant morphological changes in V . harveyi and had no effect on the number of viable and culturable cells. Microarray analysis revealed that the V . harveyi response to cold seawater leads to up‐ and downregulation of numerous genes controlling the central carbon metabolism, nucleotide and amino acid biosynthesis as well as DNA repair. In addition, expression of some genes controlling biosynthesis of lipids, molecular transport, and energy production was altered to likely affect the composition and properties of the V . harveyi cell envelope, thus implying the putative role of this compartment in adaptation to stress. Here, we discuss these results with regard to the putative adaptive responses likely triggered by V . harveyi to cope with environmental challenges in natural aquatic systems.