Role of cold shock proteins B and D in Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida physiology and virulence in lumpfish ( Cyclopterus lumpus )

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cold shock proteins (Csp) are pivotal nucleic acid binding proteins known for their crucial roles in the physiology and virulence of various bacterial pathogens affecting plant, insect, and mammalian hosts. However, their significance in bacterial pathogens of teleost fish remains unexplored. Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida (hereafter A. salmonicida ) is a psychrotrophic pathogen and the causative agent of furunculosis in marine and freshwater fish. Four csp genes ( cspB, cspD, cspA , and cspC ) have been identified in the genome of A. salmonicida J223 (wild type). Here, we evaluated the role of DNA binding proteins, CspB and CspD, in A. salmonicida physiology and virulence in lumpfish ( Cyclopterus lumpus ). A. salmonicida Δ cspB , Δ cspD , and the double Δ cspB Δ cspD mutants were constructed and characterized. A. salmonicida Δ cspB and Δ cspB Δ cspD mutants showed a faster growth at 28°C, and reduced virulence in lumpfish. A. salmonicida Δ cspD showed a slower growth at 28°C, biofilm formation, lower survival in low temperatures and freezing conditions (−20°C, 0°C, and 4°C), deficient in lipopolysaccharide synthesis, and low virulence in lumpfish. Additionally, Δ cspB Δ cspD mutants showed less survival in the presence of bile compared to the wild type. Transcriptome analysis revealed that 200, 37, and 921 genes were differentially expressed in Δ cspB , Δ cspD , and Δ cspB Δ cspD, respectively. In Δ cspB and Δ cspB Δ cspD virulence genes in the chromosome and virulence plasmid were downregulated. Our analysis indicates that CspB and CspD mostly act as a transcriptional activator, influencing cell division (e.g., treB ), virulence factors (e.g., aexT ), and ultimately virulence.