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Differential Expression of a Sodium-Phosphate Cotransporter Among Vibrio vulnificus Strains

  • Microbiology of Aquatic Systems
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Abstract

Vibrio vulnificus is an estuarine bacterium with pathogenic potential. Its three known biotypes differ in host distribution. We have found the nptA gene for a sodium-phosphate cotransporter, which is rare in bacteria, in each biotype. nptA transcript abundance differed significantly among biotypes, leading to the hypothesis that transcript levels differ under environmental conditions associated with estuarine and host environments. nptA transcript abundance was assessed in V. vulnificus biotypes 1 (C and E genotypes), 2 and 3 strains under varied salinity, phosphate concentration, and pH. Differences in transcript abundance separated strains into two groups. Type C and biotype 3 strains formed Group 1, while type E and biotype 2 strains formed Group 2. Group 2 strains had significantly greater nptA RNA transcript abundance than Group 1. Transcript abundance in the two groups also responded differently to pH and salinity, suggesting differential regulation of nptA in response to environmental conditions. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of NptA among strains resulted in strain grouping similar to that based on transcript abundance. Variation in transcript abundance between groups may affect the ability of V. vulnificus strains to colonize hosts and/or to compete as free-living bacteria in various habitats.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge Orlando Lugo, Doris Luong, and Augustine Reid Wilson for assistance with molecular analyses and sequence analysis. We also thank Kathleen Scott, Ph.D. (University of South Florida) for assistance with sequence alignment, amino acid deduction, and DNA heterogeneity analyses.

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  1. Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SCA 110, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA

    Christopher Staley & Valerie J. Harwood

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Correspondence to Valerie J. Harwood.

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Staley, C., Harwood, V.J. Differential Expression of a Sodium-Phosphate Cotransporter Among Vibrio vulnificus Strains. Microb Ecol 67, 24–33 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-013-0300-6

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