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Invasion of fish epithelial cells by Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida: evidence for receptor specificity, and effect of capsule and serum.

Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida is a fish pathogen which causes serious disease in commercial warmwater fish species. Because information on the initial stages of the infection is scarce, an investigation of the invasion ability of this pathogen was undertaken utilizing a fish epithelial cell line (epithelioma papillosum carpio, EPC), a virulent capsulated strain of P. damselae (MT1415), an avirulent non-capsulated strain of P. damselae (EPOY-8803-ii) and Escherichia coli HB101 as a non-invasive control. P. damselae was found to be able to adhere to and invade fish epithelial cells and remain inside them for 6-9 h. There were no significant differences in invasiveness between the capsulated and non-capsulated strains. A kinetics study demonstrated that P. damselae invasiveness was more efficient at low m.o.i., reaching saturation at higher m.o.i., suggesting internalization may be receptor-mediated. Invasion efficiency (IE) was significantly higher than in the control E. coli HB101. Engulfment of bacteria was possibly by an endocytic process and was unaffected by killing the bacteria with UV light. However, heat-killed bacteria had significantly reduced invasion capability. Ultrastructural studies showed that inside the epithelial cells, the bacteria remained within large vacuoles for a few hours and no evidence of intracellular replication was found, by either fluorescence or electron microscopic studies. Normal sea bass serum slightly reduced the invasion capability of the MT1415 strain, but heat-inactivated normal serum had no effect. On the other hand, heat-inactivated fish antiserum raised against the same strain reduced the percentage of invaded epithelial cells by 50%. As for other pathogens, an intracellular phase of P. damselae may be a mechanism to delay or avoid phagocytosis and host immune responses, favouring the spread of infection.

Animals↗

Structure and regulation of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid synthase genes from the deep-sea bacterium Photobacterium profundum strain SS9.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3; EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3; DHA) have been shown to be of major importance in the promotion of cardiovascular health, proper human development and the prevention of some cancers. A high proportion of bacterial isolates from low-temperature and high-pressure marine environments produce EPA or DHA. This paper presents the sequence of a 33 kbp locus from the deep-sea bacterium Photobacterium profundum strain SS9 which includes four of the five genes required for EPA biosynthesis. As with other bacterial pfa (polyunsaturated fatty acid) genes, the deduced amino acid sequences encoded by the SS9 genes reveal large multidomain proteins that are likely to catalyse EPA biosynthesis by a novel polyketide synthesis mechanism. RNase protection experiments separated the SS9 pfa genes into two transcriptional units, pfaA-C and pfaD. The pfaA transcriptional start site was identified. Cultivation at elevated hydrostatic pressure or reduced temperature did not increase pfa gene expression despite the resulting increase in percentage composition of EPA under these conditions. However, a regulatory mutant was characterized which showed both increased expression of pfaA-D and elevated EPA percentage composition. This result suggests that a regulatory factor exists which coordinates pfaA-D transcription. Additional consideration regarding the activities required for PUFA synthesis is provided together with comparative analyses of bacterial pfa genes and gene products.

Base Sequence↗

Superoxide dismutase and catalase in Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida and their roles in resistance to reactive oxygen species.

Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida (formerly Pasteurella piscicida) is the causative agent of pasteurellosis or pseudotuberculosis in warm water marine fish. Enzymes which neutralize reactive oxygen species, produced during aerobic metabolism or during respiratory burst in fish macrophages, are important virulence factors in many pathogens. This study characterizes a periplasmic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and a cytoplasmic catalase in P. damselae. Purification and partial amino-terminal sequencing confirmed the SOD to be iron-cofactored, with a high degree of homology to other bacterial FeSODs. The SOD was common to all strains analysed in terms of type, location and activity, whilst the catalase varied in activity between strains. The catalase was constitutively expressed, but the SOD appeared to be repressed under low oxygen conditions. In spite of the presence of a periplasmic SOD, P. damselae was susceptible to killing by exogenous superoxide anion generated in a cell-free system. Addition of exogenous SOD to this system did not abolish the bactericidal effect; however, addition of catalase was protective. These results suggest that lack of periplasmic catalase may be implicated in susceptiblity to killing by reactive oxygen species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Subtractive hybridization reveals a high genetic diversity in the fish pathogen Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida: evidence of a SXT-like element.

Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida is the causative agent of fish pasteurellosis, a severe disease affecting cultured marine fish worldwide. In this study, suppression subtractive hybridization was used to identify DNA fragments present in the virulent strain PC554.2, but absent in the avirulent strain EPOY 8803-II. Twenty-one genomic regions of this type (that included twenty-six distinct putative ORFs) were analysed by DNA sequencing. Twenty ORFs encoded proteins with homology to proteins in other bacteria, including four homologues involved in siderophore biosynthesis, and four homologues related to mobile elements; three of these were putative transposases and one was a putative conjugative transposon related to the Vibrio cholerae SXT element. This sequence was shown to be integrated into a prfC gene homologue. Six ORFs showed no significant homology to known bacterial proteins. Among the 21 DNA fragments specific to strain PC554.2, 5 DNA fragments (representing 7 ORFs) were also absent in the avirulent strain ATCC 29690. The analysis of these differential regions, as well as the screening of their presence in a collection of strains, demonstrated the high genetic heterogeneity of this pathogen.

Animals↗

Chemical and biological properties of lipopolysaccharide from a marine bacterium, Photobacterium phosphoreum PJ-1.

The chemical and biological properties of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from a marine bacterium, Photobacterium phosphoreum PJ-1, were studied. This LPS consists of 40.6% carbohydrate, 27.3% fatty acid, 0.2% 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate (KDO) and other components. One characteristic of this LPS is its small amount of KDO, the basic component of the usual LPS. Electrophoresis in sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel revealed at least two staining bands for carbohydrates. These bands were continuous and broad, and showed rapid electrophoretic mobility which corresponded closely to the fastest moving band of LPS from Salmonella typhimurium. This LPS preparation had adjuvant activity, lethality for ddY mice, and the ability to gel Limulus amebocyte lysate, and the strength of these activities corresponded closely to those of LPS preparations from Escherichia coli 0111:B4 and S. typhimurium. In the test for lethality of the LPS for ddY mice, the lethal action appeared in two phases depending on the dose used for intravenous (i.v.) injection: the early lethal action appeared within 30 min after injection of 250 micrograms or less, and the late lethal action occurred gradually after 16 hr at doses of 500 microgrms or more. The total (both phases) LD50 of this LPS (i.v.) for ddY mice was 265 micrograms per mouse and in only the late phase it was 500 micrograms. These results show that in spite of structural differences in regard to KDO content, LPS from P. phosphoreum PJ-1 has some biological properties similar to those of LPS from E. coli 0111:B4 and S. typhimurium but it shows no immunological cross-reaction with other LPS.

Carbohydrates↗

Effectiveness of a divalent vaccine for sole, Solea senegalensis (Kaup), against Vibrio harveyi and Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida.

The protection of cultured sole, Solea senegalensis, against Vibrio harveyi and Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida was evaluated following the use of a divalent vaccine prepared with formalized whole cells and extracellular products of virulent strains of both pathogenic microorganisms and administered by the immersion route. Two prolonged immersions of 5-10 g fish in the divalent bacterin at a 1-month interval gave high levels of protection similar to those obtained when the respective monovalent vaccines were administered by the intraperitoneal route [relative percentage of survival (RPS) values >70%], which indicates that the former procedure can be a useful strategy with small fish. The high protection afforded by the divalent vaccine in sole lasted for 4 months after which the RPS values against both pathogens decreased significantly.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning and functional analysis of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida haem receptor gene.

A haem receptor gene from Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida (formerly known as Pasteurella piscicida) has been cloned, sequenced and analysed for its function. The gene, designated as pph, has an open reading frame consisting of 2154 bp, a predicted 718 amino acid residues and exists as a single copy. It is homologous with the haem receptors of Vibrio anguillarum hupA, V. cholerae hutA, V. mimicus mhuA and V. vulnificus hupA at 32.7, 32.7, 45.6 and 30.9%, respectively, and is highly conserved, consisting of a Phe-Arg-Ala-Pro sequence (FRAP), an iron transport related molecule (TonB) and a Asn-Pron-Asn-Leu sequence (NPNL), binding motifs associated with haem receptors. As a single gene knockout mutant P. damselae subsp. piscicida was able to bind haem in the absence of pph, suggesting that other receptors may be involved in its iron transport system. This study shows that the P. damselae subsp. piscicida pph belongs to the haem receptor family, is conserved and that its iron-binding system may involve more than one receptor.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Adhesion to sole, Solea senegalensis Kaup, mucus of microorganisms isolated from farmed fish, and their interaction with Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida.

Abstract Most studies carried out to select microorganisms as candidate probiotics have focused on in vitro antagonism tests, such as the production of inhibitory compounds against pathogenic microorganisms. However, attachment to mucous surfaces could be another criterion to be considered when selecting potential probiotics for aquaculture. Nineteen isolates obtained from farmed Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis Kaup, and gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata L., have been evaluated for their capacity to adhere to skin and intestinal mucus of Senegalese sole, and their antagonistic effect against Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida, an important pathogen for farmed sole. The isolates from gilthead sea bream showed the highest percentage of adhesion to sole mucus, whilst the pathogenic microorganisms assayed and the isolates from sole showed, in general, a lower ability to adhere to sole mucus. The results suggest that the adhesion to fish mucus was more dependent on the isolate tested than on the host mucus. The isolates from gilthead sea bream also showed a higher antagonistic activity against P. damselae subsp. piscicida than those from Senegalese sole. Four isolates were selected, on the basis of their adhesive ability and antagonistic effect on P. damselae subsp. piscicida, to study their interactions with the pathogen in respect of adhesion to skin and intestinal mucus under exclusion, competition and displacement conditions. The results obtained show the ability of three isolates to reduce the adhesion of P. damselae subsp. piscicida to sole mucus under displacement and competition conditions. The adhesion of the pathogen to sole intestinal mucus was also significantly reduced when three isolates were assayed under exclusion conditions.

Animals↗

Detection of quinolone-resistance genes in Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida strains by targeting-induced local lesions in genomes.

Quinolone-resistant strains of the fish-pathogenic bacterium, Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida are distributed widely in cultured yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata (Temminck & Schlegel), in Japan. The quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) was amplified with degenerate primers, followed by cassette ligation-mediated PCR. Open reading frames encoding proteins of 875 and 755 amino acid residues were detected in the gyrA and parC genes, respectively. Resistant strains of P. damselae subsp. piscicida carried a point mutation only in the gyrA QRDR leading to a Ser-to-Ile substitution at residue position 83. No amino acid alterations were discovered in the ParC sequence. A mutation in the gyrA gene was also detected in nalidixic acid-resistant mutants of strain SP96002 obtained from agar medium containing increased levels of quinolone. These results suggest that GyrA, as in other Gram-negative bacteria, is a target of quinolone in P. damselae subsp. piscicida. Furthermore, we attempted to detect a point mutation using targeting-induced local lesions in genomes (TILLING), which is a general strategy used for the detection of a variety of induced point mutations and naturally occurring polymorphisms. We developed a new detection method for the rapid and large-scale identification of quinolone-resistant strains of P. damselae subsp. piscicida using TILLING.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in Photobacterium damselae ssp. piscicida.

The ability of a set of Photobacterium damselae ssp. piscicida strains isolated from different fish species to produce different superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase enzymes was determined. Unlike other bacterial pathogens, P. damselae ssp. piscicida is not able to produce different isoforms of SOD or catalase containing different metal cofactors when cultured under oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide or methyl viologen, or under iron depleted conditions. However, iron content of the growth medium influenced the levels of SOD and catalase activity in cells, these levels decreasing with iron availability of the medium. Comparison of virulent and non-virulent strains of P. damselae ssp. piscicida showed similar contents of SOD, but higher levels of catalase were detected in cells of the virulent strain. Incubation of bacteria with sole, Solea senegalensis (Kaup), phagocytes has shown that survival rates range from 19% to 62%, these rates being higher for the virulent strain. The increased levels of catalase activity detected in the virulent strain indicates a possible role for this enzyme in bacterial survival.

2,2'-Dipyridyl↗

An rpoE-like locus controls outer membrane protein synthesis and growth at cold temperatures and high pressures in the deep-sea bacterium Photobacterium sp. strain SS9.

Many deep-sea bacteria have evolved specialized adaptations for life at cold temperatures and high pressures. A locus required for both psychro- and baro-adaptation in the psychrophilic, moderate barophile, Photobacterium species strain SS9 was identified among SS9 transposon mutants. DNA sequence analysis of this locus identified four complete open reading frames (ORFs), which appear to comprise an operon, and a fifth incomplete ORF. All transposon insertions isolated are in ORF3. Extensive sequence similarity exists between the translation products of ORFs 1-3 and a collection of gene products proposed to include alternative RNA polymerase sigma factors and modifiers of sigma-factor activity involved in extracytoplasmic sensing and regulation. Based on the similarity between ORF1 and Escherichia coli rpoE, we have tentatively designated this locus the rpoE locus. SS9 rpoE locus ORF3 insertion mutants showed altered abundances of numerous outer membrane proteins and were both baro- and psychro-sensitive. ORF3 mutant revertants that displayed enhanced high-pressure growth also displayed concomitant enhanced low-temperature growth. Most of these revertants possessed DNA rearrangements at the site of the transposon insertion, further demonstrating the importance of the rpoE locus to high-pressure and cold-temperature growth. Complementation analyses indicated that ORF3 functions in OMP synthesis regulation while ORF4 is required for baro- and psychro-adaptation.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗

AIP56, a novel plasmid-encoded virulence factor of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida with apoptogenic activity against sea bass macrophages and neutrophils.

A strategy used by extracellular pathogens to evade phagocytosis is the utilization of exotoxins that kill host phagocytes. We have recently shown that one major pathogenicity strategy of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida (Phdp), the agent of the widespread fish pasteurellosis, is the induction of extensive apoptosis of sea bass macrophages and neutrophils that results in lysis of these phagocytes by post-apoptotic secondary necrosis. Here we show that this unique process is mediated by a novel plasmid-encoded apoptosis inducing protein of 56 kDa (AIP56), an exotoxin abundantly secreted by all virulent, but not avirulent, Phdp strains tested. AIP56 is related to an unknown protein of the enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 and NleC, a Citrobacter rodentium type III secreted effector of unknown function. Passive immunization of sea bass with a rabbit anti-AIP56 serum conferred protection against Phdp challenge, indicating that AIP56 represents a key virulence factor of that pathogen and is a candidate for the design of an anti-pasteurellosis vaccine.

Animals↗

Drug resistance and random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of Photobacterium damselae ssp. piscicida isolates from cultured Seriola (yellowtail, amberjack and kingfish) in Japan.

AIMS: To investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility and genetic characteristics of Photobacterium damselae ssp. piscicida isolates obtained from cultured Seriola in Japan. METHODS AND RESULTS: Minimal inhibitory concentrations of 14 antimicrobials for 74 isolates from Seriola in Japan in 2002 were determined. Isolates showed high frequencies of resistance to sulfamonomethoxine (SMMX) (97.3%), oxytetracycline (OTC) (77.0%), flumequine (FMQ) (77.0%), chloramphenicol (CP) (75.7%), kanamycin (KM) (63.5%) and oxolinic acid (OA) (62.0%), but low to ampicillin (ABPC) (2.8%). All isolates were susceptible to bicozamycin (BCM), fosfomycin (FOM) and florfenicol (FF). Of these isolates, 45 (60.8%) showed same resistance pattern (SMMX-OTC-FMQ-OA-CP-KM). In random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, no difference was observed among our 74 field isolates and ATCC51736 isolated from Seriola in 1974 in Japan, but different from ATCC 17911 isolated from white perch in USA. CONCLUSIONS: FF, BCM, FOM and ABPC were useful antimicrobials for treating pseudotuberculosis. However, the frequency of multidrug resistance was high. RAPD analysis showed homogeneity of isolates from Seriola in Japan. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study demonstrates that some antimicrobials were still useful for treating pseudotuberculosis and that P. damselae ssp. piscicida strains of same origin might have spread among Seriola in Japan since 1974.

Animals↗

Survival of fish-virulent strains of Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae in seawater under starvation conditions.

The survival of fish-virulent strains of Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae in seawater microcosms, with and without sediment, was investigated. The strains survived as culturable bacteria at 14 and 22 degrees C for at least 1 year, and infectivity for fish was maintained. At 5 degrees C, cells lost culturability on solid media, but this was recovered when the temperature was increased to 22 degrees C. Finally, morphological changes in the bacterium (rod to coccus), and production of vesicles and extracellular material were observed during the time of starvation. The overall results suggest that seawater and sediment can act as reservoirs for these virulent strains.

Animals↗

LuxA gene of light organ symbionts of the bioluminescent fish Acropoma japonicum (Acropomatidae) and Siphamia versicolor (Apogonidae) forms a lineage closely related to that of Photobacterium leiognathi ssp. mandapamensis.

A molecular phylogenetic analysis of luxA gene sequences of light organ symbionts of the fish Acropoma japonicum (Acropomatidae) and Siphamia versicolor (Apogonidae) revealed that the sequences were related to those of Photobacterium leiognathi ssp. mandapamensis, which is not known to occur as a light organ symbiont among bioluminescent P. leiognathi clades. The presence of another lux gene element, luxF, coding for nonfluorescent protein, provided additional support for the identity of the light organ symbionts of the fish. Cladogenesis of the light organ symbiont P. leiognathi may be influenced by the radiation of host fishes.

Animals↗

Life at depth: Photobacterium profundum genome sequence and expression analysis.

Deep-sea life requires adaptation to high pressure, an extreme yet common condition given that oceans cover 70% of Earth's surface and have an average depth of 3800 meters. Survival at such depths requires specific adaptation but, compared with other extreme conditions, high pressure has received little attention. Recently, Photobacterium profundum strain SS9 has been adopted as a model for piezophily. Here we report its genome sequence (6.4 megabase pairs) and transcriptome analysis. The results provide a first glimpse into the molecular basis for life in the largest portion of the biosphere, revealing high metabolic versatility.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Monounsaturated but not polyunsaturated fatty acids are required for growth of the deep-sea bacterium Photobacterium profundum SS9 at high pressure and low temperature.

There is considerable evidence correlating the production of increased proportions of membrane unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) with bacterial growth at low temperatures or high pressures. In order to assess the importance of UFAs to microbial growth under these conditions, the effects of conditions altering UFA levels in the psychrotolerant piezophilic deep-sea bacterium Photobacterium profundum SS9 were investigated. The fatty acids produced by P. profundum SS9 grown at various temperatures and pressures were characterized, and differences in fatty acid composition as a function of phase growth, and between inner and outer membranes, were noted. P. profundum SS9 was found to exhibit enhanced proportions of both monounsaturated (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated (PUFAs) fatty acids when grown at a decreased temperature or elevated pressure. Treatment of cells with cerulenin inhibited MUFA but not PUFA synthesis and led to a decreased growth rate and yield at low temperature and high pressure. In addition, oleic acid-auxotrophic mutants were isolated. One of these mutants, strain EA3, was deficient in the production of MUFAs and was both low-temperature sensitive and high-pressure sensitive in the absence of exogenous 18:1 fatty acid. Another mutant, strain EA2, produced little MUFA but elevated levels of the PUFA species eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3). This mutant grew slowly but was not low-temperature sensitive or high-pressure sensitive. Finally, reverse genetics was employed to construct a mutant unable to produce EPA. This mutant, strain EA10, was also not low-temperature sensitive or high-pressure sensitive. The significance of these results to the understanding of the role of UFAs in growth under low-temperature or high-pressure conditions is discussed.

Cell Membrane↗