VHH/TLH溶血素基因在海洋弧菌中分布的研究

哈维氏弧菌(V.harveyi)的VHH溶血素是对海水养殖鱼类的潜在致病因子。哈维氏弧菌的VHH溶血素基因与副溶血弧菌(V.parahaemolyticus)的TLH热不稳定性溶血素基因具有高度相似性,其氨基酸序列的相似性达到85.6 %。根据哈维氏弧菌vhhA溶血素基因序列,合成一个地高辛标记的VHH基因探针,利用其进行Southern Blot ,检测VHH溶血素基因在57株弧菌(包括26株国际标准菌株,20株哈维氏弧菌,11株副溶血弧菌)中的分布情况。结果显示,VHH基因探针与13株弧菌标准菌株有强杂交信号,包括2株溶藻胶弧菌(V.alginolyticus) ,2株哈维氏弧菌以及1株霍氏格里蒙菌(Grimontia hollisae) ,坎贝氏弧菌(V.campbellii) ,辛辛那提弧菌(V.cincinatiensis) ,费氏弧菌(V.fischeri) ,拟态弧菌(V.mimicus) ,飘浮弧菌(V.natriegens) ,副溶血弧菌,解蛋白弧菌(V.proteolyticus)和火神弧菌(V.logei)。与6株弧菌标准菌株有弱杂交信号,包括鳗弧菌(V.anguillarum) ,河口弧菌(V.aestuarianus) ,美人鱼发光杆菌(Photobacterium damselae subsp.damselae) ,河弧菌(V.fluvialis) ,弗尼斯弧菌(V.furnissii)和创伤弧菌(V.vulnificus) ,而另外7株弧菌标准菌株中无杂交信号。所有的哈维氏弧菌菌株至少含有一条杂交带,其中菌株VIB645 , VIB 648和SF-1分别含有2条杂交带。11株副溶血弧菌中均含有一条杂交带。上述数据表明,vhh/tlh溶血素基因广泛分布于弧菌中,尤其是哈维氏弧菌相关菌株和费氏弧菌相关菌株中。另外对鳗弧菌VIB 72 ,坎贝氏弧菌VIB 285 ,飘浮弧菌VIB 299和哈维氏弧菌VIB 647的vhh/tlh溶血素基因进行克隆并测序,其氨基酸序列与VHH溶血素和TLH溶血素氨基酸序列的同源性分别为67 %~99 %和69 %~91 %。对vhh/tlh溶血素基因在弧菌中的分布研究,将有助于进一步确定这类溶血素基因在病原弧菌致病性中的作用。     

两株对虾幼体弧菌病病原的分离和鉴定

从患弧菌病的凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)幼体中分离到两株病原菌zouA和zouB, 常规形态和生理生化试验表明均为弧菌属菌种, 弧菌编码鉴定系统分别鉴定为溶藻弧菌(Vibrio alginolyticus)和副溶血弧菌(V. parahaemolyticus)。副溶血弧菌R72H序列检测结果进一步证实菌株zouB为副溶血弧菌。对菌株zouA的16S rRNA基因序列分析表明该菌株与溶藻弧菌、副溶血弧菌等弧菌的相似性均高于98%, 相互间不能区分; HSP60基因序列分析表明该菌株与溶藻弧菌相似性达98%以上, 而与所有其它弧菌的相似性不到92%。结合表型和分子特征的鉴定结果, 菌株zouA和zouB分别被鉴定为溶藻弧菌和副溶血弧菌。     

罗氏沼虾中副溶血弧菌群体感应的检测

利用3种不同的哈维氏弧菌报告菌株V.harveyi JMH612、V.harveyi JMH597和V.harveyi JAF375检测了罗氏沼虾体内分离的副溶血弧菌VIB461和VIB800的群体感应信号分子,同时用PCR扩增了两株菌调控AI-2型信号分子分泌的LuxS基因。结果表明,两株菌均能产生3种类型的信号分子:HAI-1、AI-2和CAI-1。3种信号分子的活性均具有生长阶段依赖性,在对数生长初期出现并在对数生长后期或稳定期前期达到最高水平,然后随着培养时间的延长呈现一定的下降。两株副溶血弧菌的PCR扩增片段的测序结果与已上传的副溶血弧菌的LuxS基因序列的相似度均在95%以上,说明两株副溶血弧菌都含有LuxS基因。     

溶藻弧菌转运蛋白TolB的免疫原性与免疫保护性

旨在研究溶藻弧菌(Vibrio alginolyticus)HY9901转运蛋白Tol B作为疫苗候选抗原的可能性,根据已发表的全基因组序列,设计特异性引物PCR扩增tol B的基因全长序列。序列分析显示,该基因(Gen Bank登录号JQ846501)全长1 353 bp,共编码450个氨基酸残基。BLAST分析发现,溶藻弧菌tol B基因与其他已知弧菌的tol B具有较高的同源性,序列保守,可作为共同抗原候选蛋白。用原核表达的tol B蛋白免疫SPF级小鼠,制备多克隆抗体,ELISA效价达1∶40 000。免疫印迹表明鼠抗tol B血清能与诱导后的重组蛋白发生特异反应。为进一步研究tol B对石斑鱼(Epinephelus awoara)的免疫保护性,用Tol B蛋白两次免疫石斑鱼,ELISA检测发现,免疫石斑鱼血清的抗体效价在第4周达到峰值(1∶2 048)。攻毒实验结果表明Tol B对石斑鱼的免疫保护率为76%。结果表明,溶藻弧菌转运蛋白Tol B具有较好的免疫原性和免疫保护性,可作为弧菌亚单位疫苗的候选抗原。     

溶藻弧菌Ⅲ型分泌系统效应蛋白Va1686基因的克隆和生物信息学分析

本研究从溶藻弧菌中成功克隆获得Va1686基因的编码区序列(Gen Bank:KX245316),该基因全长1 164 bp,可编码387个氨基酸,应用生物信息学的方法和工具对溶藻弧菌HY9901Ⅲ型分泌系统效应蛋白Va1686的理化性质、蛋白结构、遗传进化关系和抗原特性等方面进行预测和分析。结果表明:Va1686蛋白为稳定的亲水性蛋白,蛋白呈酸性,不具有跨膜区和信号肽,二级结构以α螺旋为主。进化分析显示溶藻弧菌HY9901与哈维氏弧菌(V.harveyi)聚为一支,表明在进化关系上最为接近。Va1686蛋白包含一段与细胞分裂相关的Fic superfamily保守结构域。生物信息学分析表明Va1686可能的B细胞抗原优势表位,分别是第48~49、82~85、125~126、150~153、185~186、236~237等区段。利用SWISS-MODEL软件,模拟了Va1686亚基三维结构模型,发现与其同源蛋白副溶血弧菌vop S非常相似,相似度达到89.46%。本研究从生物信息学角度分析了Va1686作为弧菌共同抗原的可行性,为下一步的疫苗研发提供了理论依据。     

溶藻弧菌Ⅲ型分泌系统效应蛋白HY322基因的克隆和生物信息学分析

本研究从溶藻弧菌中成功克隆获得HY322基因的编码区序列(GenBank:KX245317.1),该基因全长969 bp,可编码322个氨基酸,应用生物信息学的方法和工具对溶藻弧菌HY9901效应蛋白HY322的理化性质、蛋白结构、遗传进化关系和抗原特性等方面进行预测和分析。结果表明:HY322蛋白为不稳定的亲水性蛋白,蛋白呈酸性,无跨膜区,无明显的信号肽;二级结构以α螺旋为主,进化分析显示溶藻弧菌HY9901与哈维氏弧菌(V.harveyi)聚为一支,表明在进化关系上最为接近。HY322序列中包含有一个与鞭毛形成有关的Fli N功能结构域。多种参数预测了HY322可能的B细胞抗原优势表位,分别是第32~33、100~102、138~140、215~216、235~238、246~249区段。利用SWISS-MODEL软件,得到了HY322亚基三维模型。本研究从生物信息学角度验证了HY322作为弧菌共同抗原的可行性,为下一步的疫苗研发提供了理论依据。     

两株对虾幼体弧菌病病原的分离和鉴定

从患弧菌病的凡纳滨对虾（Litopenaeus vannamei）幼体中分离到两株病原菌zouA和zouB,常规形态和生理生化试验表明均为弧菌属菌种,弧菌编码鉴定系统分别鉴定为溶藻弧菌（Vibrioatginolyticus）和副溶血弧菌（V.parahaemolyticus）。副溶血弧菌R72H序列检测结果进一步证实菌株zouB为副溶血弧菌。对菌株zouA的16S rRNA基因序列分析表明该菌株与溶藻弧菌、副溶血弧菌等弧菌的相似性均高于98％,相互间不能区分;HSP60基因序列分析表明该菌株与溶藻弧菌相似性达98％以上,而与所有其它弧菌的相似性不到92％。结合表型和分子特征的鉴定结果,菌株zouA和zouB分别被鉴定为溶藻弧菌和副溶血弧菌。     

弧菌外膜蛋白OmpU的免疫交叉反应性和交叉保护性北大核心CSCD

【目的】通过对弧菌外膜蛋白Omp U的克隆、表达以及免疫学特性分析,明确外膜蛋白Omp U是否为弧菌的共同抗原,并具有免疫交叉反应性和交叉保护性。【方法】对弧菌外膜蛋白omp U基因进行克隆和生物信息学分析。分别制备副溶血弧菌、溶藻弧菌、创伤弧菌、拟态弧菌和霍乱弧菌的Omp U重组蛋白抗血清,对Omp U的免疫交叉反应特性以及抗原表位定位情况进行比较分析。以霍乱弧菌的Omp U重组蛋白免疫小鼠后,再以多种弧菌进行攻毒,分析其交叉免疫保护作用。【结果】外膜蛋白Omp U在弧菌种内和种间相似性分别为73.0%–100%和58.6%–89.0%,并至少存在9个保守的B细胞抗原表位。Omp U重组蛋白抗血清在弧菌种内和种间均产生显著的免疫交叉反应,识别弧菌中分子量35–40 k Da的同源蛋白。副溶血弧菌ATCC17802、创伤弧菌ATCC27562和拟态弧菌ATCC33653来源的Omp U重组蛋白抗体能识别供试菌株,提示这些菌株的Omp U抗原表位定位于细胞表面。Omp U重组蛋白对免疫后的小鼠具有交叉免疫保护作用,攻毒实验后小鼠相对存活率(RPS)为43.0%–100%。【结论】上述结果表明,外膜蛋白Omp U是弧菌中一种保守的共同抗原,具有免疫交叉保护性,可以作为弧菌广谱疫苗的候选抗原。     

溶藻弧菌Ⅲ型分泌系统分子伴侣护航蛋白VscO的基因克隆及其生物信息学分析

克隆了溶藻弧菌(Vibrio alginolyticus)ZJ03株Ⅲ型分泌系统(T3SS)分子伴侣护航蛋白(Chaperone escort protein)vscO基因,并对其进行生物信息学分析。结果表明,vscO基因全长462 bp,编码153个氨基酸,理论分子量约为18.43 kD,pI值为9.22。细胞定位分析显示vscO基因位于外周质,不存在信号肽,无跨膜区。vscO基因具有转录起始区-35区和-10区,以及翻译识别信号SD序列(Shine-Dalgarno sequence)。该氨基酸序列含有多种活性位点,如蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点等。系统进化树发现溶藻弧菌的VscO蛋白与副溶血弧菌聚为同一亚族。VscO亚基三维结构模型显示其与副溶血弧菌T3SS的YscO蛋白有相似构型。信号通路分析推测VscO位于T3SS的针状样结构上。蛋白网络互作图谱发现VscO与10种T3SS蛋白具有相邻关系。本研究结果将为溶藻弧菌Ⅲ型分泌系统护航机制的研究奠定基础。     

副溶血弧菌SH112株OmpA蛋白的高效表达及免疫学特性

【目的】我们前期研究表明副溶血弧菌SH112株的OmpA蛋白在该菌的致病过程中发挥重要作用,是亚单位疫苗研制的潜在靶标抗原。本研究进一步对ompA(VPA1186)基因进行克隆表达,并研究其免疫学特性。【方法】扩增去除信号肽序列的成熟外膜蛋白OmpA的基因片段,定向克隆至表达载体,基因测序后对其编码蛋白质进行生物信息学分析。重组蛋白His-OmpA经纯化后,免疫ICR小鼠制备鼠多抗血清。Western blotting检测该蛋白的免疫原性及鼠多抗血清的特异性。动物实验验证其免疫保护率。【结果】成功表达分子量约为40.0 kDa的重组蛋白His-OmpA。制备的鼠多抗血清ELISA效价可达1∶50000以上。Westernblotting检测结果显示,该血清可与His-OmpA蛋白、总外膜蛋白和全菌蛋白发生特异性反应,说明所表达的目的蛋白保持原蛋白的免疫原性。此外,该高免血清可与其他主要血清型的副溶血弧菌发生特异性交叉反应,而与其他非副溶血弧菌菌株无交叉反应,表明该血清特异性较高,且提示OmpA蛋白可能是副溶血弧菌属的共同保护性抗原。小鼠免疫保护实验结果表明,该蛋白可提供约35%的免疫保护率。【结论】OmpA蛋白可作为诊断副溶血弧菌感染和亚单位疫苗研制的靶蛋白,为进一步开展该蛋白的功能研究提供了参考。     

Lateral flagellar antigen of Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio harveyi: existence of serovars common to the two species

The antigenicity of lateral (L-) flagella of two marine vibrios, Vibrio alginolyticus and V. harveyi, was studied, and the two species were found to have common antigenicity of their flagella. Antisera against L-flagella were prepared by immunizing rabbits with highly purified L-flagellar filaments. H-Agglutination tests with the anti-L-flagella antisera showed that four H-serovars existed in these species and that two of them were shared by the two species. Cross reactivity between H-serovars of these two species and other vibrios having lateral flagella, such as V. parahaemolyticus, V. campbellii, V. proteus, or V. fluvialis, was not observed in the H-agglutination test, although partial common antigenicity was observed in the gel diffusion test with flagellin monomers. These observations suggest that surface antigenic determinants of the lateral flagella of V. alginolyticus and V. harveyi are specific to these two species but internal antigenic determinants buried in the flagellar filaments are partially shared with other vibrio species.     

Ecological relationship between Vibrio parahaemolyticus and agar-digesting vibrios as evidenced by bacteriophage susceptibility patterns.

Twenty bacteriophages active against Vibrio parahaemolyticus and agar-digesting vibrios, isolated from oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) and by induction of a lysogenic agar digester, were tested as to their host range. These phages were specific for V. parahaemolyticus and various agar-digesting vibrios, and interspecies lysis occurred only between these two groups. V. alginolyticus, V. anguillarum and related species, V. cholerae, and a group of marine psychrophilic and psychrotrophic vibrios were not affected. No correlation was observed between the O and K serotypes of V. parahaemolyticus strains and bacteriophage susceptibility patterns, and 7 of 28 strains of V. parahaemolyticus were not lysed by any of the phages. Only two of the phage isolates were capable of lysing all susceptible V. parahaemolyticus strains. No correlation was observed between the inter-and intraspecies genetic relatedness (DNA homologies) of V. parahaemolyticus and agar-digesting vibrios and susceptibility patterns to different bacteriophages. Some of the phages were capable of plaque formation on V. parahaemolyticus as well as on some strains of agar-digesting vibrios that were separated by 70 to 80% differences in their DNA homologies. The possible ecological significance of these vibrio bacteriophages, particularly those having a wide host range, is discussed.     

Vibrio parahaemolyticus and other halophilic vibrios associated with seafood in Hong Kong

The summer prevalence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and other halophilic vibrios in seafood from Hong Kong markets was investigated. Halophilic vibrios were isolated from all seven types of seafood examined, and comprised 9.1%, 8% and 6.1% of contaminating aerobic heterotrophic bacteria from mussels, clams and oysters respectively. Sucrose-positive vibrios were more common than sucrose-negative varieties. Vibrio alginolyticus was the most frequently isolated species, followed by V. parahaemolyticus, V. harveyi, V. fluvialis, V. vulnificus, V. pelagius, V. campbellii, V. spendidus and V. marinus. Mussels contained the highest concentration of V. parahaemolyticus (4.6 x 10(4)/g); oysters and clams contained 3.4 x 10(4)/g and 6.5 x 10(3)/g respectively. The ubiquity and relatively high concentrations of V. parahaemolyticus and other pathogenic vibrios in shellfish is a potential public health hazard in Hong Kong and other subtropical Asian countries.     

Vibrio parahaemolyticus and other halophilic vibrios associated with seafood in Hong Kong

The summer prevalence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and other halophilic vibrios in seafood from Hong Kong markets was investigated. Halophilic vibrios were isolated from all seven types of seafood examined, and comprised 9.1%, 8% and 6.1% of contaminating aerobic heterotrophic bacteria from mussels, clams and oysters respectively. Sucrose-positive vibrios were more common than sucrose-negative varieties. Vibrio alginolyticus was the most frequently isolated species, followed by V. parahaemolyticus, V. harveyi, V.fluvialis, V. vulnificus, V. pelagius, V. campbellii, V. spendidus and V. marinus. Mussels contained the highest concentration of V. parahaemolyticus (4.6×10³/g); oysters and clams contained 3.4×10⁴/g and 6.5×10³/g respectively. The ubiquity and relatively high concentrations of V. parahaemolyticus and other pathogenic vibrios in shellfish is a potential public health hazard in Hong Kong and other subtropical Asian countries.     

Antigenicity analysis of Vibrio harveyi TS-628 strain

Vibrio harveyi,the major causative agent of vibriosis,affects a diverse range of marine cultured organisms over a wide geographical area.However,reports about screening the effective antigen and research on vaccines of V.harveyi are scarce.Flagellin,lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and outer membrane proteins (OMP) are major immunogenic antigens in many Gram-negative bacteria.In this study,the flagellin,OMP and LPS of the V.harveyi TS-628 strain isolated from infected groupers were extracted and Western blot analysis was used to detect the antigenicity of these extractions.Results of the Western blot assay reveal that there are four positive flagellin bands:35 kDa,38 kDa,43 kDa,and 52 kDa,of which the 43 kDa and 52 kDa bands displayed the strongest positive reaction.There are five positive OMP bands about 35 kDa,38 kDa,43 kDa,47 kDa,and 52 kDa,of which the 43 kDa appeared to have the strongest positive reaction although the other four proteins also displayed strong reactions.However,LPS is Western blot-negative.These results indicate that the 43 kDa and 52 kDa flagellin and OMP of size 43 kDa,52 kDa can be candidates for developing vaccines against V.harveyi.     

Detection of Hsp60 (GroEL)-like proteins in Vibrio parahaemolyticus and vibrio species by Western immunoblotting analysis

Detection of heat shock proteins in Vibrio parahaemolyticus was investigated by SDS-PAGE and Western immunoblotting procedure using an anti-Hsp 60 antibody. Results indicate that V. parahaemolyticus elicited at least one Hsp 60 (GroEL)-like protein with apparent molecular weight of about 58 000 (58 kDa) when submitted to a heat shift from 30 to 42C. Kanagawa phenomenon-positive and -negative strains of V. parahaemolyticus responded the same way. Six other Vibrio species also showed an increased synthesis of GroEL-like (58 kDa) protein after heat shock, while synthesis of 58 kDa protein of V. alginolyticus was at a similar level before and after heat shock. Vibrio nereis showed an increased synthesis of a 60 kDa GroEL-like protein.     

Studies on halophilic vibrios causing a food poisoning outbreak in the city of Vladivostok

V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus strains isolated from patients during an outbreak of an acute enteric disease in Vladivostok in 1997 were studied. All strains were found to possess typical taxonomic signs. V. parahaemolyticus isolated from humans had direct heat stable haemolysin exotoxin. The overwhelming majority of these strains belonged to serovar O3K6. Among the cultures under study 7 phage types were determined: phage types 1, 2, 7, 10 in 8 V. parahaemolyticus strains and phage types 2, 4. 5. 7 in 5 V. alginolyticus strains. The diagnostic halophilic phage lyzed vibrios in 30.2% of strains. The cultures under study were found to be highly sensitive to chloramphenicol, cefotaxime, nalidixic acid and cyprofloxacin. The study proved that the outbreak of alimentary toxicoinfection was caused by vibrios of serogroup O3:K6.