In silico analysis revealing CsrA roles in motility-sessility switching and tuning VBNC cells in Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Abstract

The formation of biofilms is a survival strategy employed by bacteria to help protect them from changing or unfavourable environments. In this research, 319 genes which govern biofilm formation in V. parahaemolyticus, as reported in 1,625 publications, were analysed using protein-protein-interaction (PPI) network analysis. CsrA was identified as a motility-sessility switch and biofilm formation regulator. Through robust rank aggregation (RRA) analysis of GSE65340, the generation of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) cells that may enhance cell tolerance to stress, was found to be associated with the TCA cycle and carbon metabolism biological pathways. The finding that CsrA is likely to play a role in the development of VBNC cells improves understanding of the molecular mechanisms of VBNC formation in V. parahaemolyticus and contributes to on-going efforts to reduce the hazard posed by this foodborne pathogen.

Keywords:

• Vibrio parahaemolyticus
• biofilm
• CsrA
• motility-sessility
• VBNC

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the School of Food and Advanced Technology (Massey University), the School of Fundamental Sciences (Massey University), Plant & Food Research (New Zealand) and the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Lincoln University) for their support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).