Characterization of EmpA protease in Vibrio anguillarum M3

EmpA is an extracellular metalloprotease secreted by Vibrio anguillarum.For better understanding its role in the patho-genicity of V.anguillarum strain M3,empA insertion mutant was constructed.In the mutant it decreased in extracellular proteolytic activity,swarming motility,hemolytic activity and virulence on turbot(Scophthalmus maximus).Significant decline(by 5-fold)of extracellular proteolytic activity and similar growth curve between mutant and wild type strains indicated that EmpA was the major extracellular protease of M3.LD50 of mutant increased by 38-fold compared with wild type.No pro-EmpA was detected in the su-pernatant of culture,indicating that EmpA autolyzed to mature protein after 24 h.Secretion of EmpA in M3 was similar to that in NB10 strain.Attenuated virulence of mutant was similar to that of M93Sm strain.It was demonstrated that specific operation of EmpA was different from that in previous studies and EmpA contributed to the swarming motility and hemolytic activity in V.an-guillarum strain M3.The results provides insight into understanding the function of EmpA and its potential application in vaccine development.     

Rapid, sensitive detection of Vibrio anguillarum using loop-mediated isothermal amplification

Vibrio anguillarum is an important bacterial pathogen of aquatic organisms and a significant problem in aquatic farming. The rapid detection and identification of V. anguillarum, and other pathogens that infect marine organisms, is crucial to effective disease management. In this study, we developed a loop-mediated amplification (LAMP) assay to detect V. anguillarum in an hour in a single tube without the need for thermal cycling. Conserved regions of the metalloproteinase (empA) gene of V. anguillarum served as the targets for primer design. A fragment of the empA gene was amplified at 65°C in the presence of the primer mixture and Bst DNA polymerase. In the optimized LAMP assay, 6.7 pg of V. anguillarum DNA could be detected. Six strains of V. anguillarum and 17 strains of non-V. anguillarum bacteria were used in this study to evaluate the species specificity of the primers. The six V. anguillarum strains gave a positive result in the LAMP assay. This method was also validated in V. anguillarum-infected fish. This LAMP method is more sensitive than PCR in the detection of V. anguillarum and shows good species specificity. The LAMP assay is therefore an effective method for the quick detection of V. anguillarum both in the laboratory and in the field.     

Rapid,sensitive detection of Vibrio anguillarum using loop-mediated isothermal amplification

Vibrio anguillarum is an important bacterial pathogen of aquatic organisms and a significant problem in aquatic farming.The rapid detection and identification of V.anguillarum,and other pathogens that infect marine organisms,is crucial to effective disease management.In this study,we developed a loop-mediated amplification (LAMP) assay to detect V.anguillarum in an hour in a single tube without the need for thermal cycling.Conserved regions of the metalloproteinase (empA) gene of V.anguillarum served as the targets for primer design.A fragment of the empA gene was amplified at 65°C in the presence of the primer mixture and Bst DNA polymerase.In the optimized LAMP assay,6.7 pg of V.anguillarum DNA could be detected.Six strains of V.anguillarum and 17 strains of non-V.anguillarum bacteria were used in this study to evaluate the species specificity of the primers.The six V.anguillarum strains gave a positive result in the LAMP assay.This method was also validated in V.anguillarum-infected fish.This LAMP method is more sensitive than PCR in the detection of V.anguillarum and shows good species specificity.The LAMP assay is therefore an effective method for the quick detection of V.anguillarum both in the laboratory and in the field.     

Effects of Different Preservation Methods on Physicochemical Property of Marine Pathogen Vibrio anguillarum

Freeze-drying, continuous passage and ultra-low temperature cryopreservation are often used to preserve pathogens. In this study, Vibrio anguillarum was rejuvenated by intramuscular infection as the initial strain. The difference between cells preserved with different preservation methods and their initial strains were compared with physiological and biochemical methods and through antibiotics resistance analysis. The composition of protectants for freeze-drying V. anguillarum was optimized. We found that the optimal composition of protectants was 8% of trehalose, 12% of skim milk, 8.0% of lactose, 2.0% of sodium citrate, 12.0% of serum and 8.0% of mannitol. The indexes of lysine decarboxylase and urease changed after continuous passage. The urease reaction changed after freeze-drying and freeze-thawing, but the reaction can be restored to the initial after freeze-drying. Based on the antibiotics resistance analyses, the sensitivity of V. anguillarum to different drugs including rifampicin, erythrocin, furazolidone, ceftazidime, lomefloxacin, gentamycin, azithromycin, doxycycline, ampicillin, co-trimoxazole and cefoperazone changed after different treatments, and some of these changes can be restored to the original through activation culture. In sum, compared with cryopreservation and continuous passage, the freeze-drying is more sustainable for the long-term preservation of V. anguillarum, which showed a better effect in maintaining the original characteristics of pathogen.     

Identification and characterization of the Vibrio anguillarum prtV gene encoding a new metalloprotease

We cloned and sequenced a prtV-like gene from Vibrio anguillarum M3 strain. This prtV gene encodes a putative protein of 918 amino acids, and is highly homologous to the V. cholerae prtV gene. We found that a prtV insertion mutant strain displayed lower gelatinase activity on gelatin agar, lower protease activity against azocasein, and lower activity for four glycosidases. This prtV mutant strain also had increased activity for two esterases in its extracellular products, as analyzed by the API ZYM system. In addition, the prtV mutant strain exhibited decreased growth in turbot intestinal mucus and reduced hemolytic activity on turbot erythrocytes. Infection experiments showed that the LD₅₀ of the prtV mutant strain increased by at least 1 log compared to the wild-type in turbot fish. We propose that prtV plays an important role in the pathogenesis of V. anguillarum.     

Identification and characterization of the Vibrio anguillarum prtV gene encoding a new metalloprotease

We cloned and sequenced a prtV-like gene from Vibrio anguillarum M3 strain.This prtV gene encodes a putative protein of 918 amino acids,and is highly homologous to the V.cholerae prtV gene.We found that a prtV insertion mutant strain displayed lower gelatinase activity on gelatin agar,lower protease activity against azocasein,and lower activity for four glycosidases.This prtV mutant strain also had increased activity for two esterases in its extracellular products,as analyzed by the API ZYM system.In additi...     

Two bicistronic DNA vaccines against Vibrio anguillarum and the immune effects on flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Journal of Oceanology and Limnology - Chemokines are cytokines that can promote the activation and migration of immune cells, and increase the recognition of antigen by antigen-presenting cells...     

Location of Vibrio anguillarum resistance-associated trait loci in half-smooth tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis at its microsatellite linkage map

A cultured female half-smooth tongue sole(C ynoglossus semilaevis) was crossed with a wild male, yielding the fi rst fi lial generation of pseudo-testcrossing from which 200 fi sh were randomly selected to locate the V ibrio anguillarum resistance trait in half-smooth tongue sole at its microsatellite linkage map. In total, 129 microsatellites were arrayed into 18 linkage groups, ≥4 each. The map reconstructed was 852.85 c M in length with an average spacing of 7.68 c M, covering 72.07% of that expected(1 183.35 cM). The V. anguillarum resistance trait was a composite rather than a unit trait, which was tentatively partitioned into Survival time in Hours After V. anguillarum Infection(SHAVI) and Immunity of V. A nguillarum Infection(IVAI). Above a logarithm of the odds(LOD) threshold of 2.5, 18 loci relative to SHAVI and 3 relative to IVAI were identifi ed. The 3 loci relative to IVAI explained 18.78%, 5.87% and 6.50% of the total phenotypic variation in immunity. The microsatellites bounding the 3 quantitative trait loci(QTLs) of IVAI may in future aid to the selection of V. anguillarum-immune half-smooth tongue sole varieties, and facilitate cloning the gene(s) controlling such immunity.     

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of Lily-type lectin (SmLTL) in turbot Scophthalmus maximus,and its response to Vibrio anguillarum

A full-length lily-type lectin(Sm LTL) was identified from turbot(Scophthalmus maximus) in this study. By searching database for protein identification and function prediction, Sm LTL were confirmed. The full-length c DNA of Sm LTL is composed of 569 bp and contains a 339 bp ORF that encodes 112 amino acid residues. The Sm LTL peptide is characterized by a specific β-prism architecture and contains three mannose binding sites in a three-fold internal repeat between amino acids 30–99; two of the repeats share the classical mannose binding domain(Qx Dx Nx Vx Y) while the third binding site was similar to other fish-specific binding motifs(Tx Tx Gx Rx V). The primary, secondary, and tertiary structures of Sm LTL were predicted and analyzed, indicating that the S m LTL protein was hydrophilic, contained 5.36% α-helices, 39.29% extended strands, 16.07% β-folds, and 39.29% random coils, and three β-folds. Quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction(qPCR) analysis revealed that the Sm LTL mRNA was abundantly expressed in skin, gill, and intestine. Low levels of Sm LTL expression were observed in other tissues. The expression of Sm LTL in gill, skin and intestine increased at m RNA level after stimulation of V ibrio anguillarum, our results suggest that Sm LTL serve as the first line of defence against microbial infections and play a pivotal role in the innate mucosal immune system. The current study indicates that Sm LTL is a member of the lilytype lectin family and the information reported here will provide an important foundation for future research on the role of this protein.     

Effects of Temperature on Haemocyte and Granulocyte Counts and Expressions of Immunity-Related Genes in Haemocytes of Scallop Chlamys farreri After Vibrio anguillarum Infection

Bivalve live in aquatic environment and the water temperature can affect their immunity directly. In this research, the scallop Chlamys farreri was injected with 104 or 107 CFU m L-1 Vibrio anguillarum and cultured at 11℃, 17℃, 23℃, and 28℃, respectively. For the control scallop, only phosphate-buffered saline(PBS) was injected. Then total haemocytes and granulocytes were measured by ELISA using monoclonal antibodies. In the meantime, expressions of six immunity-related genes, including lipopolysaccharide and β-1, 3-glucan binding protein(CfLGBP), C-type lectin(CfLec-2), Toll-like receptor(Cf TLR), Lysozyme(CfLYZ), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and phenoloxidase(CfPO) in haemocytes were measured using quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that total haemocytes counts in 104 CFU m L-1 injection groups showed no differences compared to the control group at all temperatures. However, they varied significantly in 107 CFU m L-1 injection groups at 3 h at 11℃, 6–12 h at 17℃, 3–48 h at 23℃, and 12–48 h at 28℃. Granulocytes counts in 10~4 CFU m L-1 injection groups showed no variance compared to the control group at all temperatures, except for 12 h at 23℃, and 24–36 h at 28℃. They were significantly decreased in 10~7 CFU m L-1 injection groups during 6–48 h at 11℃, 12–48 h at 17℃, 3–48 h at 23℃, and 3–72 h at 28℃. The expression levels of six immunity-related genes in haemocytes of 10~7 CFU m L-1 injection groups were significantly higher than those of control group and 10~4 CFU m L~(-1) injection groups at all temperatures. The results indicated that infected with high concentration of vibrios, haemocyte counts, granulocyte counts and the expressions of immunity-related genes in scallop C. farreri were significantly affected by environmental temperature.     

Identification of two major histocompatibility (MH) class II A genes and their association to Vibrio anguillarum infection in half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis)

Major histocompatibility complex class II antigens are important in vertebrate immune system.In the present study,the full cDNA sequence of class II A gene was synthesized by RACE-PCR from half-smooth tongue sole(Cynoglossus semilaevis),and its open reading frame(ORF) polymorphism was studied.The whole cDNA sequence was 992 bp in length,including the ORF with 717 bp.Twenty-five alleles were identified and clustered into two distinct groups according to the specific nucleotides/amino acids in specific positions.Eleven alleles belonged to Cyse-DAA while fourteen alleles belonged to Cyse-DBA.Four Cyse-DAA alleles were observed in one individual,and three to five Cyse-DBA alleles were observed in each of the three detected individuals,which indicated that at least two loci existed in each gene.Moreover,in order to study the function of the alleles in resistance to infection,200 individuals were intraperitoneally injected with Vibrio anguillarum and the first 20 dead individuals and 20 surviving ones were selected for genotype analysis.Fifty-six alleles were identified among the 40 individuals.Twenty-nine alleles belonged to Cyse-DAA and the other 27 alleles belonged to Cyse-DBA.Eighteen alleles were selected for studying their function in resistance to infection.Alleles Cyse-DAA*0201,Cyse-DAA*1101,Cyse-DBA*0401,Cyse-DBA*1102,Cyse-DBA*1801 and Cyse-DBA*2201 were identi-fied only in surviving individuals,while alleles Cyse-DAA*0901,Cyse-DBA*1101 and Cyse-DBA*1401 occurred more frequently in dead individuals.This study confirmed the existence and polymorphism of two class II A genes as well as the relationship between alleles of class II A genes and disease susceptibility/resistance in half-smooth tongue sole.     

Sequence polymorphism of two major histocompatibility (MH) class II B genes and their association with Vibrio anguillarum infection in half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis)

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Ⅱ B molecules play an important role in the adaptive immune response in fish. Previous study has reported that two highly polymorphic class ⅡB genes, Cyse-DAB and Cyse-DBB exist in half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). In this study, the polymorphism within exon 2 of the class Ⅱ B genes following bacterial challenge was evaluated. Two hundred C. semilaevis individuals were injected intraperitoneally with Vibrio anguillarum. Muscle tissue from the first 20 dead and 20 of the survivors was collected for genotyping. Sixty alleles from the 40 individuals were isolated, of which 32 belonged to Cyse-DAB and 28 belonged to Cyse-DBB. The rate of dN (non-synonymous substitution) was higher than that of dS (synonymous substitution) in the PBRs (peptide binding residues) of both class Ⅱ B genes. Conversely, the rate of dS was higher than dN in the non-PBRs and the complete exon 2 sequence. Thus, the results suggest that positive selection has occurred in the PBRs and purifying selection in the non-PBRs and exon 2. Thirteen class Ⅱ B alleles were used to study the association between alleles and resistance to infection. Though not significant, alleles Cyse-DAB*0601, Cyse-DAB*0706, and Cyse-DBB*0101, Cyse-DBB*1301 were only found in surviving individuals and may represent alleles that have resistance against V. anguillarum infection. Alleles Cyse-DAB*0701 and Cyse-DAB*1301 were significantly more prevalent in dead individuals than in surviving ones and may represent alleles that are associated with increased susceptibility to V. anguillarum infection.     

Characterization of Caspase Gene Family Members in Spotted Sea Bass(Lateolabrax maculatus) and Their Expression Profiles in Response to Vibrio harveyi Infection

The caspase gene family is a crucial gene cluster that regulates apoptosis which contribute to programmed cell death, cell proliferation and differentiation, and several immune responses. In our study, a complete set of 12 caspase genes were identified in spotted sea bass Lateolabrax maculatus. These genes were divided into three subfamilies: 2 inflammatory caspases(casp-1 and casp-14-like), 5 apoptosis initiators(casp-2, casp-8a, casp-8b, casp-9, and casp-10), and 5 apoptosis executioners(casp-...     

中心式喷发火山岩三维地震刻画方法

基于火山岩溢流相的高连续强振幅和火山通道相的低连续弱振幅2种截然相反的地震反射特征,提出了振幅-方差体地震属性分级-拾取-融合技术刻画火山岩时空展布的解释新方法。具体流程是通过振幅分级显示,拾取强振幅刻画溢流相的空间展布;通过方差体分级,拾取高值部分刻画火山通道相的空间展布;最后将二者融合显示。通过渤海湾盆地莱州湾凹陷垦利6 A区块实例分析,表明该方法可以直观、有效地刻画火山岩的三维时空展布特征。研究成果有助于火山岩的三维刻画,可以广泛运用于与火山岩相关的含油气盆地。      

创伤弧菌和哈氏弧菌双重PCR检测方法的建立及初步应用

根据创伤弧菌(Vibrio vulnificus)的溶细胞毒素基因序列和哈氏弧菌(Vibrio harveyi)的toxR基因序列,分别设计并合成两对特异性引物,通过PCR反应条件优化,测试两种菌的特异性和敏感性,建立双重PCR方法,同时快速检测V.vulnificus和V.harveyi。结果表明:纯培养V.vulnificus和V.harveyi的检测灵敏度分别是12 cfu/mL和18 cfu/mL,与无乳链球菌、海豚链球菌、副溶血弧菌及美人发光杆菌无交叉反应;此PCR检测方法具有良好的特异性、敏感性,具快速、高效等优点,对细菌V.vulnificus和V.harveyi诊断与防治具有较好的临床应用性。     

冻熟虾中副溶血性弧菌生长模型

为控制冻熟虾中副溶血性弧菌的危害,预测冻熟虾中副溶血性弧菌生长情况,对冻熟虾中副溶血性弧菌的生长规律进行了研究。使用CurveExpert 1.3软件作为辅助工具,选取了4种模型(Logistic模型、Richards模型、Compertz模型、MMF模型)拟合了副溶血性弧菌在冻熟虾中生长曲线。结果表明:10℃、18℃和30℃下副溶血性弧菌的生长曲线呈典型的S型,通过标准差和相关系数比较,10℃、18℃和30℃下冻熟虾中副溶血性弧菌最适的生长模型为Richards模型。     

Effect of cadmium on the defense response of Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas to Listonella anguillarum challenge

Heavy metal pollution can affect the immune capability of organisms.We evaluated the effect of cadmium(Cd) on the defense responses of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas to Listonella anguillarum challenge.The activities of several important defensive enzymes,including superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione peroxidase(GPx),acid phosphatase(ACP),Na+,K+-ATPase in gills and hepatopancreas,and phenoloxidase-like(POL) enzyme in hemolymph were assayed.In addition,the expression levels of several genes,including heat shock protein 90(HSP90),metallothionein(MT),and bactericidal/permeability increasing(BPI) protein were quantified by fluorescent quantitative PCR.The enzyme activities of SOD,ACP,POL,and GPx in hepatopancreas,and the expression of HSP90 were down-regulated,whereas GPx activity in the gill,Na+,K+-ATPase activities in both tissues,and MT expression was increased in Cdexposed oysters post L.anguillarum challenge.However,BPI expression was not significantly altered by co-stress of L.anguillarum infection and cadmium exposure.Our results suggest that cadmium exposure alters the oysters’ immune responses and energy metabolism following vibrio infection.     

大亚湾网箱养殖水体弧菌种类组成及变化

研究了海水网箱养殖海域弧菌数量变化、种类组成及其相关因素,探讨弧菌数量的变化与鱼病的关系。结果表明:网箱内水体弧菌数量为390~230 mL-1,平均为20.6×102mL-1,网箱外水体为130~1450 mL-1,平均为530 mL-1,非养殖对照海区为10~390 mL-1,平均为190 mL-1。养殖海区弧菌数量呈现明显的季节性变化,尤其是网箱水体,对照海区只在9月数量较高,其他时间变化不大。平均数量网箱内大于网箱外,网箱外大于对照海区。水体中出现的弧菌种类有河流弧菌Vibrio fluvialis,创伤弧菌Vibrio vulnifgicus,霍乱弧菌Vibrio cholerae,副溶血弧菌Vibrio parahaemolyticus,溶藻弧菌Vibrio alginolyticus,美人鱼弧菌Vibrio damsela,拟态弧菌Vibriomimicus和好利斯弧菌Vibrio hollisae,美人鱼弧菌、溶藻弧菌和霍乱弧菌占有较大优势。弧种数量与海水温度、盐度及营养盐有相关性,但其相关性因不同种和不同点而不同。检测期间,网箱养殖鱼类无明显流行病发生,但弧菌的高峰期明显与报道的鱼病高峰期相吻合。