The fish pathogen < em > Aliivibrio salmonicida < /em > LFI1238 can degrade and metabolize chitin despite major gene loss in the chitinolytic pathway

In conclusion, our results show that Al. salmonicida LFI1238 can utilize chitin as a nutrient source and that the GH18 chitinase and the two LPMOs are needed for this ability. IMPORTANCE The ability to utilize chitin as a source of nutrients is important for the survival and spread of marine microbial pathogens in the environment. One such pathogen is Aliivibrio (Vibrio) salmonicida, the causative agent of cold water vibriosis. Due to extensive gene decay, many key enzymes in the chitinolytic pathway have been disrupted, putatively rendering this bacterium incapable of chitin degradation and utilization. In the present study we demonstrate that Al. salmonicida can degrade and metabolize chitin, the most abundant biopolymer in the ocean. Our findings shed new light on the environmental adaption of this fish pathogen.PMID:34319813 | DOI:10.1128/AEM.00529-21
Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Source Type: research