Dual RNA-Seq Unveils Candidate Key Virulence Genes of <i>Vibrio harveyi</i> at the Early Stage of Infection in Hybrid Grouper (♀ <i>Epinephelus polyphekadion</i> × ♂ <i>E. fuscoguttatus</i>)
<i>Vibrio harveyi</i> is a major bacterial pathogen that causes disease in aquaculture animals worldwide. Although <i>V. harveyi</i> consistently harbors a range of traditional virulence genes, it remains unclear which specific genes are crucial for virulence at different inf...
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2024-10-01
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| author | Yan-Hua Zeng Wen Li He Xu Xiao-Xiao Gong Yu-Mei Zhang Hao Long Zhen-Yu Xie |
| author_facet | Yan-Hua Zeng Wen Li He Xu Xiao-Xiao Gong Yu-Mei Zhang Hao Long Zhen-Yu Xie |
| author_sort | Yan-Hua Zeng |
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| description | <i>Vibrio harveyi</i> is a major bacterial pathogen that causes disease in aquaculture animals worldwide. Although <i>V. harveyi</i> consistently harbors a range of traditional virulence genes, it remains unclear which specific genes are crucial for virulence at different infection stages. Dual RNA-seq is a cutting-edge RNA sequencing technology that is ideal for investigating the gene expression patterns of pathogens within the host, which is highly effective in identifying key virulence genes. In previous artificial infection experiments, we have identified the liver of hybrid grouper (♀ <i>Epinephelus polyphekadion</i> × ♂ <i>E. fuscoguttatus</i>) as the main target organ for pathogenic <i>V. harveyi</i> GDH11385 during the initial infection phase. To further explore the key virulence factors of <i>V. harveyi</i> at the early stage of infection, the liver of the hybrid grouper infected with strain GDH11385 was analyzed here by dual RNA-seq. The transcriptome data were compared with that of in vitro cultured bacteria. The results showed that 326 and 1140 DEGs (differentially expressed genes) were significantly up- and down-regulated, respectively, at 4 h post-infection (hpi). Further pathway enrichment analyses revealed that these up-regulated DEGs in vivo were mainly enriched in siderophore biosynthesis and transport, type VI secretion system (T6SS), flagellar assembly, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and ribosome. Notably, all genes involved in the metabolism and utilization of vibrioferrin (a carboxylate class of siderophore produced by <i>Vibrio</i>), and most of the genes within one of three T6SSs, were significantly up-regulated in vivo. This indicates that siderophore-dependent iron competition and T6SS-mediated delivery of virulence factors are vital for the successful colonization of <i>V. harveyi</i> at the early stage of infection. This study provides more precise clues to reveal the virulence mechanism of <i>V. harveyi</i> during the initial phase of infection. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | DOAJ |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-ebfd0f7bf1d140b9bddff2b5713ca5252025-08-20T02:48:06ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072024-10-011211211310.3390/microorganisms12112113Dual RNA-Seq Unveils Candidate Key Virulence Genes of <i>Vibrio harveyi</i> at the Early Stage of Infection in Hybrid Grouper (♀ <i>Epinephelus polyphekadion</i> × ♂ <i>E. fuscoguttatus</i>)Yan-Hua Zeng0Wen Li1He Xu2Xiao-Xiao Gong3Yu-Mei Zhang4Hao Long5Zhen-Yu Xie6School of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaSchool of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaSchool of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaSchool of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaSchool of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaSchool of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaSchool of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China<i>Vibrio harveyi</i> is a major bacterial pathogen that causes disease in aquaculture animals worldwide. Although <i>V. harveyi</i> consistently harbors a range of traditional virulence genes, it remains unclear which specific genes are crucial for virulence at different infection stages. Dual RNA-seq is a cutting-edge RNA sequencing technology that is ideal for investigating the gene expression patterns of pathogens within the host, which is highly effective in identifying key virulence genes. In previous artificial infection experiments, we have identified the liver of hybrid grouper (♀ <i>Epinephelus polyphekadion</i> × ♂ <i>E. fuscoguttatus</i>) as the main target organ for pathogenic <i>V. harveyi</i> GDH11385 during the initial infection phase. To further explore the key virulence factors of <i>V. harveyi</i> at the early stage of infection, the liver of the hybrid grouper infected with strain GDH11385 was analyzed here by dual RNA-seq. The transcriptome data were compared with that of in vitro cultured bacteria. The results showed that 326 and 1140 DEGs (differentially expressed genes) were significantly up- and down-regulated, respectively, at 4 h post-infection (hpi). Further pathway enrichment analyses revealed that these up-regulated DEGs in vivo were mainly enriched in siderophore biosynthesis and transport, type VI secretion system (T6SS), flagellar assembly, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and ribosome. Notably, all genes involved in the metabolism and utilization of vibrioferrin (a carboxylate class of siderophore produced by <i>Vibrio</i>), and most of the genes within one of three T6SSs, were significantly up-regulated in vivo. This indicates that siderophore-dependent iron competition and T6SS-mediated delivery of virulence factors are vital for the successful colonization of <i>V. harveyi</i> at the early stage of infection. This study provides more precise clues to reveal the virulence mechanism of <i>V. harveyi</i> during the initial phase of infection.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/11/2113<i>Vibrio harveyi</i>dual RNA-seqhybrid groupervirulence factorhost–pathogen interactions |
| spellingShingle | Yan-Hua Zeng Wen Li He Xu Xiao-Xiao Gong Yu-Mei Zhang Hao Long Zhen-Yu Xie Dual RNA-Seq Unveils Candidate Key Virulence Genes of <i>Vibrio harveyi</i> at the Early Stage of Infection in Hybrid Grouper (♀ <i>Epinephelus polyphekadion</i> × ♂ <i>E. fuscoguttatus</i>) Microorganisms <i>Vibrio harveyi</i> dual RNA-seq hybrid grouper virulence factor host–pathogen interactions |
| title | Dual RNA-Seq Unveils Candidate Key Virulence Genes of <i>Vibrio harveyi</i> at the Early Stage of Infection in Hybrid Grouper (♀ <i>Epinephelus polyphekadion</i> × ♂ <i>E. fuscoguttatus</i>) |
| title_full | Dual RNA-Seq Unveils Candidate Key Virulence Genes of <i>Vibrio harveyi</i> at the Early Stage of Infection in Hybrid Grouper (♀ <i>Epinephelus polyphekadion</i> × ♂ <i>E. fuscoguttatus</i>) |
| title_fullStr | Dual RNA-Seq Unveils Candidate Key Virulence Genes of <i>Vibrio harveyi</i> at the Early Stage of Infection in Hybrid Grouper (♀ <i>Epinephelus polyphekadion</i> × ♂ <i>E. fuscoguttatus</i>) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dual RNA-Seq Unveils Candidate Key Virulence Genes of <i>Vibrio harveyi</i> at the Early Stage of Infection in Hybrid Grouper (♀ <i>Epinephelus polyphekadion</i> × ♂ <i>E. fuscoguttatus</i>) |
| title_short | Dual RNA-Seq Unveils Candidate Key Virulence Genes of <i>Vibrio harveyi</i> at the Early Stage of Infection in Hybrid Grouper (♀ <i>Epinephelus polyphekadion</i> × ♂ <i>E. fuscoguttatus</i>) |
| title_sort | dual rna seq unveils candidate key virulence genes of i vibrio harveyi i at the early stage of infection in hybrid grouper ♀ i epinephelus polyphekadion i ♂ i e fuscoguttatus i |
| topic | <i>Vibrio harveyi</i> dual RNA-seq hybrid grouper virulence factor host–pathogen interactions |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/11/2113 |
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