Cell-surface properties of the food- and water-borne pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila when stored in buffered saline solutions.
Aeromonas hydrophila, a ubiquitous inhabitant of aquatic environments, commonly expresses several cell-surface properties that may contribute to virulence. Since many aquatic microorganisms in hostile environments can withstand starvation conditions for long periods, we examined the effect of storage under nutrient-poor conditions on the expression of cell-surface properties of this pathogen. Phenotypes studied were: (1) cell-surface hydrophobicity and charge, and (2) the ability to bind connective-tissue proteins and lactoferrin. Our results suggest that the response of A. hydrophila to nutrient-poor conditions is regimen specific. Generally, A. hydrophila cells became more hydrophobic and significantly increased their ability to bind the iron-binding glycoprotein lactoferrin when the bacterium was stored under nutrient-poor conditions; however, under these conditions, the cells seemed to lose their ability to bind connective-tissue proteins.
Ascencio
F
F
Department of Marine Pathology, Center for Biological Research, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Ljungh
A
A
Wadström
T
T
D016980:Aeromonas hydrophila / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000378:metabolism; D010710:Phosphates; D012965:Sodium Chloride
D003470:Culture Media; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D010710:Phosphates; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D007781:Lactoferrin