Role for cheR of Vibrio fischeri in the Vibrio-squid symbiosis Journal Article


Authors: DeLoney-Marino, C. R.; Visick, K. L.
Article Title: Role for cheR of Vibrio fischeri in the Vibrio-squid symbiosis
Abstract: Upon hatching, the Hawaiian squid Euprymna scolopes is rapidly colonized by its symbiotic partner, the bioluminescent marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri . Vibrio fischeri cells present in the seawater enter the light organ of juvenile squid in a process that requires bacterial motility. In this study, we investigated the role chemotaxis may play in establishing this symbiotic colonization. Previously, we reported that V. fischeri migrates toward numerous attractants, including N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA), a component of squid mucus. However, whether or not migration toward an attractant such as squid-derived NANA helps the bacterium to localize toward the light organ is unknown. When tested for the ability to colonize juvenile squid, a V. fischeri chemotaxis mutant defective for the methyltransferase CheR was outcompeted by the wild-type strain in co-inoculation experiments, even when the mutant was present in fourfold excess. Our results suggest that the ability to perform chemotaxis is an advantage during colonization, but not essential.
Journal Title: Canadian journal of microbiology
Volume: 58
Issue: 1
ISSN: 1480-3275; 0008-4166
Publisher: Unknown  
Journal Place: Canada
Date Published: 2012
Start Page: 29
End Page: 38
Language: eng
DOI/URL:
Notes: LR: 20130626; GR: GM59690/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States; GR: R01 GM059690/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States; GR: R01 GM059690-10/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States; JID: 0372707; EC 2.1.1.- (Methyltransferases); NIHMS341910; OID: NLM: NIHMS341910; OID: NLM: PMC3256272; 2011/12/19 [aheadofprint]; ppublish