Comparative genome analysis of Vibrio vulnificus, a marine pathogen.
The halophile Vibrio vulnificus is an etiologic agent of human mortality from seafood-borne infections. We applied whole-genome sequencing and comparative analysis to investigate the evolution of this pathogen. The genome of biotype 1 strain, V. vulnificus YJ016, was sequenced and includes two chromosomes of estimated 3377 kbp and 1857 kbp in size, and a plasmid of 48,508 bp. A super-integron (SI) was identified, and the SI region spans 139 kbp and contains 188 gene cassettes. In contrast to non-SI sequences, the captured gene cassettes are unique for any given Vibrio species and are highly variable among V. vulnificus strains. Multiple rearrangements were found when comparing the 5.3-Mbp V. vulnificus YJ016 genome and the 4.0-Mbp V. cholerae El Tor N16961 genome. The organization of gene clusters of capsular polysaccharide, iron metabolism, and RTX toxin showed distinct genetic features of V. vulnificus and V. cholerae. The content of the V. vulnificus genome contained gene duplications and evidence of horizontal transfer, allowing for genetic diversity and function in the marine environment. The genomic information obtained in this study can be applied to monitoring vibrio infections and identifying virulence genes in V. vulnificus.
Chen
Chung-Yung
CY
Division of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Taipei 115, Taiwan.
Wu
Keh-Ming
KM
Chang
Yo-Cheng
YC
Chang
Chuan-Hsiung
CH
Tsai
Hui-Chi
HC
Liao
Tsai-Lien
TL
Liu
Yen-Ming
YM
Chen
Hsiang-Ju
HJ
Shen
Arthur Bo-Ting
AB
Li
Jian-Chiuan
JC
Su
Teh-Li
TL
Shao
Chung-Ping
CP
Lee
Chung-Te
CT
Hor
Lien-I
LI
Tsai
Shih-Feng
SF
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D032023:Integrons / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000379:methods; D014734:Vibrio cholerae / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D041261:Vibrio vulnificus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics
D037521:Virulence Factors