Comparative Genomics and Transcriptomics Analyses Reveal a Unique Environmental Adaptability of <i>Vibrio fujianensis</i>

Abstract

The genus Vibrio is ubiquitous in marine environments and uses numerous evolutionary characteristics and survival strategies in order to occupy its niche. Here, a newly identified species, Vibrio fujianensis, was deeply explored to reveal a unique environmental adaptability. V. fujianensis type strain FJ201301T shared 817 core genes with the Vibrio species in the population genomic analysis, but possessed unique genes of its own. In addition, V. fujianensis FJ201301T was predicated to carry 106 virulence-related factors, several of which were mostly found in other pathogenic Vibrio species. Moreover, a comparative transcriptome analysis between the low-salt (1% NaCl) and high-salt (8% NaCl) condition was conducted to identify the genes involved in salt tolerance. A total of 913 unigenes were found to be differentially expressed. In a high-salt condition, 577 genes were significantly upregulated, whereas 336 unigenes were significantly downregulated. Notably, differentially expressed genes have a significant association with ribosome structural component and ribosome metabolism, which may play a role in salt tolerance. Transcriptional changes in ribosome genes indicate that V. fujianensis may have gained a predominant advantage in order to adapt to the changing environment. In conclusion, to survive in adversity, V. fujianensis has enhanced its environmental adaptability and developed various strategies to fill its niche.

Keywords

• <i>Vibrio fujianensis</i>
• comparative genomics
• transcriptomics
• environmental adaptability
• cross-agglutination reaction
• salt tolerance