Abstract
Small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) are important modulators of gene expression and are involved in the pathogenesis and survival of prokaryotes. However, few studies have been conducted with Vibrio alginolyticus, which limits our ability to probe the regulation of virulence and environmental adaptation by sRNAs in this opportunistic pathogen. In this study, the sRNA candidate srvg23535 was identified in V. alginolyticus ZJ-T. The precise transcript end, secondary structure, and sequence conservation were determined. A srvg23535 null mutant was constructed and characterized by using Phenotype MicroArray (PM) technology. In silico target prediction was conducted by IntaRNA and TargetRNA2. Subsequently, a 107 nt transcript was validated with a sigma70 promoter at the 5′ end and a Rho-independent terminator at the 3′ end. The sRNA srvg23535 had four stem-loop structures and was conserved among Vibrio harveyi, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio splendidus. Deletion of srvg23535 in V. alginolyticus ZJ-T led to a weaker utilization of D-mannose, D-melibiose, lactulose, and inosine as carbon sources but stronger utilization of L-cysteine as nitrogen source. Moreover, the srvg2353 mutant showed stronger resistance to osmotic stress but weaker resistance to pH stress. Additionally, a total of 22 common targets were identified and several were related to the observed phenotype of the mutant. This study indicated that the novel sRNA, srvg23535, is conserved and restricted to Vibrio spp., affecting the utilization of several carbon and nitrogen sources and the response to osmotic and pH stress. These results extend our understanding of sRNA regulation in V. alginolyticus and provide a significant resource for the further study of the precise target mRNAs of srvg23535, which may provide targets for antibacterial therapeutic or attenuated vaccines against Vibrio spp.
Highlights
Vibrio alginolyticus, a Gram-negative halophilic bacterium with worldwide distribution, is an opportunistic pathogen of marine animals and humans, which causes serious infections, such as otitis media, otitis externa, and gastroenteritis (Citil et al, 2015; Siddiqui et al, 2016)
The potential regulatory function of Small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) in V. alginolyticus could be important in environmental adaptation, which probably affects the virulence of bacteria (Iustman et al, 2015)
The sRNA candidate srvg23535 is shown in an Artemis window (Figure 2A)
Summary
A Gram-negative halophilic bacterium with worldwide distribution, is an opportunistic pathogen of marine animals and humans, which causes serious infections, such as otitis media, otitis externa, and gastroenteritis (Citil et al, 2015; Siddiqui et al, 2016). Small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) are important posttranscriptional regulators in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes (Liu and Camilli, 2010) They usually function by base-pairing with mRNA to modulate stability and/or translation (Wagner and Romby, 2015). Several reports have shown that Vibrio spp. encode sRNAs as well, which were mainly identified and studied in Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio harveyi (Nguyen and Jacq, 2014) These sRNAs include RyhB, which functions in iron homeostasis (Mey et al, 2005), MicX, which regulates the synthesis of outer membrane proteins (Davis and Waldor, 2007), and Qrrs, involved in quorum sensing (Tu and Bassler, 2007). The potential regulatory function of sRNAs in V. alginolyticus could be important in environmental adaptation, which probably affects the virulence of bacteria (Iustman et al, 2015)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
