Coordination of primary metabolism and virulence factors expression mediates the virulence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus towards cultured shrimp (Penaeus vannamei)

Aims Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus has emerged as a severe bacterial disease of cultured shrimp. To identify the key virulence factors, two AHPND-causing V. parahaemolyticus (Vp(AHPND)) strains (123 and 137) and two non-Vp(AHPND) strains (HZ56 and ATCC 17082) were selected. Methods and Results Challenge tests showed that the four strains exhibited different virulence towards shrimp with cumulative mortalities at 48 h postinfection (hpi) ranging from 10 to 92%. The expression of pirAB(VP) in strain 123 and 137 was not significantly different. Genomic analysis revealed that the two Vp(AHPND) strains contain a plasmid with the PirAB(VP) toxins (pirAB(VP)) flanked by the insertion sequence (ISVal1) that has been identified in various locations of chromosomes in Vp(AHPND) strains. The two Vp(AHPND) strains possessed almost identical virulence factors, while ISVal1 disrupted three genes related to flagellar motility in strain 137. Phenotype assay showed that strain 123 possessed the highest growth rate and swimming motility, followed by strain 137, suggesting that the disruption of essential genes mediated by ISVal1 significantly affected the virulence level. Transcriptome analysis of two Vp(AHPND) strains (123 and 137) further suggested that virulence genes related to the capsule, flagella and primary metabolism were highly expressed in strain 123. Conclusions Here for the first time, it is demonstrated that the virulence of Vp(AHPND) is not only determined by the expression of pirAB(VP), but also is mediated by ISVal1 which affects the genes involved in flagellar motility and primary metabolism. Significance and Impact of the Study The genomic and transcriptomic analysis of Vp(AHPND) strains provides valuable information on the virulence factors affecting the pathogenicity of Vp(AHPND.)

Automated summary

The virulence of Vp(AHPND) is determined by both the expression of pirAB(VP) and mediated by ISVal1, affecting genes involved in flagellar motility and primary metabolism. Genomic and transcriptomic analysis of Vp(AHPND) strains provides valuable information on the virulence factors affecting the pathogenicity of Vp(AHPND.