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Unveiling the Metabolic Pathways Associated with the Adaptive Reduction of Cell Size During Vibrio harveyi Persistence in Seawater Microcosms

Microbial Ecology volume 70, pages 689–700 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Owing to their ubiquitous presence and ability to act as primary or opportunistic pathogens, Vibrio species greatly contribute to the diversity and evolution of marine ecosystems. This study was aimed at unveiling the cellular strategies enabling the marine gammaproteobacterium Vibrio harveyi to adapt and persist in natural aquatic systems. We found that, although V. harveyi incubation in seawater microcosm at 20 °C for 2 weeks did not change cell viability and culturability, it led to a progressive reduction in the average cell size. Microarray analysis revealed that this morphological change was accompanied by a profound decrease in gene expression affecting the central carbon metabolism, major biosynthetic pathways, and energy production. In contrast, V. harveyi elevated expression of genes closely linked to the composition and function of cell envelope. In addition to triggering lipid degradation via the β-oxidation pathway and apparently promoting the use of endogenous fatty acids as a major energy and carbon source, V. harveyi upregulated genes involved in ancillary mechanisms important for sustaining iron homeostasis, cell resistance to the toxic effect of reactive oxygen species, and recycling of amino acids. The above adaptation mechanisms and morphological changes appear to represent the major hallmarks of the initial V. harveyi response to starvation.

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Acknowledgments

The custom microarray design for gene expression analysis of V. harveyi was kindly provided by the lab of Prof. Bonnie Bassler (Princeton University). We are grateful to the Gene Expression and Analytical/High-Resolution Microscopy Units at the Advanced Core Research Facilities (SGIKer) of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) for the technical support and assistance provided. The work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (CGL2011-26252 and BFU2011-25455) and the Basque Government (research project IT376-10, grants BFI-2011-85 and PRE-2013-1-901) and by IKERBASQUE (Basque Foundation for Science).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain

    Vladimir R. Kaberdin, Itxaso Montánchez, Claudia Parada, Maite Orruño, Inés Arana & Isabel Barcina

  2. IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Maria Diaz de Haro 3, 48013, Bilbao, Spain

    Vladimir R. Kaberdin

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  1. Vladimir R. Kaberdin
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  2. Itxaso Montánchez
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  3. Claudia Parada
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  4. Maite Orruño
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  5. Inés Arana
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  6. Isabel Barcina
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Correspondence to Vladimir R. Kaberdin.

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Kaberdin, V.R., Montánchez, I., Parada, C. et al. Unveiling the Metabolic Pathways Associated with the Adaptive Reduction of Cell Size During Vibrio harveyi Persistence in Seawater Microcosms. Microb Ecol 70, 689–700 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-015-0614-7

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Keywords

  • Bacterial adaptation to stress
  • Microarray analysis
  • Coccoid-like phenotype
  • Lipid turnover