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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Aquatic Animal Health Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #193968
Title: COMPARISON OF LIPOPOLYSACCARIDE AND PROTEIN PROFILES BETWEEN FLAVOBACTERIUM COLUMNARE STRAINS FROM DIFFERENT GENOMOVARS

Author
item ZHANG, YINFENG - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item ARIAS, COVADONGA - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item Shoemaker, Craig
item Klesius, Phillip

Submitted to: Journal of Fish Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/27/2006
Publication Date: 11/24/2006
Citation: Zhang, Y., Arias, C.R., Shoemaker, C.A., Klesius, P.H. 2006. Comparison of lipopolysaccaride and protein profiles between Flavobacterium columnare strains from different genomovars. Journal of Fish Diseases. 29:657-663.

Interpretive Summary: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a substance in gram-negative bacteria cell wall. LPS and total protein profiles from four different strains of Flavobacterium columnare were compared. These strains belonged to genetically different groups and/or present distinct virulence properties. ALG-530 and ARS-1 caused higher percentage catfish death, while FC-RR can not cause disease and it is used as a live vaccine against F. columnare. ALG-03-063 is included in the same group as FC-RR according to genomic analysis. Electrophoresis of LPS showed differences among the four strains. Only low molecular weight LPS bands displayed. ALG-530 shared similar banding pattern as ARS-1, while FC-RR exhibited similar banding pattern as ALG-03-063. Serology analysis revealed that the FC-RR lacks the higher molecular bands in the LPS. Total protein analysis displayed by western blotting showed differences between the strains analyzed although some common bands were shared by all the isolates. Such difference may provide necessary information to assist further studies on the mechanisms by which F. columnare causes disease.

Technical Abstract: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and total protein profiles from four Flavobacterium columnare isolates were compared. These strains belonged to genetically different groups and/or presented distinct virulence properties. F. columnare isolates ALG-00-530 and ARS-1 are highly virulent strains that belonged to different genomovars while F. columnare FC-RR is an attenuated mutant used as a live vaccine against F. columnare. Strain ALG-03-063 is included in the same genomovar group as FC-RR; however, it presents a different genomic fingerprint. Electrophoresis of LPS showed qualitative differences among the four strains. Further analysis of LPS by immunoblotting revealed that the avirulent mutant lacks the higher molecular bands in the LPS. Total protein analysis displayed by immunoblotting showed differences between the strains analyzed although common bands were present in all the isolates. FC-RR lacked two distinct common bands (34kD and 33kD) shared by the other three isolates. Based on the difference of LPS and total protein profiles, it is possible to discrimate the attenuated mutant FC-RR from other F. columnare strains.