title: Unveiling the Metabolic Pathways Associated with the Adaptive Reduction of Cell Size During Vibrio harveyi Persistence in Seawater Microcosms.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain. vkaberdin@gmail.com.|IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Maria Diaz de Haro 3, 48013, Bilbao, Spain. vkaberdin@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vladimir R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Kaberdin
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.
authors.forename: Itxaso
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Montánchez
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parada
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.
authors.forename: Maite
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orruño
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.
authors.forename: Inés
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Arana
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barcina
mesh_terms: D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012623:Seawater / Q000382:microbiology*; D014733:Vibrio / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Bacterial adaptation to stress; Coccoid-like phenotype; Lipid turnover; Microarray analysis