Identification of a Novel Elastin-Degrading Enzyme from the Fish Pathogen Flavobacterium psychrophilum

Hydrolytic extracellular enzymes degrading host tissues potentially play a role in bacterial pathogenesis. Flavobacterium psychrophilum is an important bacterial pathogen of salmonid fish reared in freshwater throughout the world. Diversity among isolates has been described at the phenotypic, serological, and genomic levels, but the links between these various traits remain poorly understood. Using a genome-wide association study, we identified a gene encoding a novel elastinolytic enzyme in F. psychrophilum. To formally demonstrate enzymatic activity, this gene (FP0506 from strain JIP 02/86) was expressed in the elastinolysis-deficient strain OSU THCO2-90, resulting in proficient elastin-degrading cells. The encoded protein is predicted to be a cell-surface-exposed lipoprotein with no homology to previously reported elastases. FP0506 might belong to the zincin tribe and gluzincin clan of metalloproteases, and this new elastase-encoding gene seems to be present only in some members of the family Flavobacteriaceae. IMPORTANCE Elastin is an important proteinaceous component of vertebrate connective tissues (e.g., blood vessels, lung, and skin), to which it confers elasticity. Elastases have been identified in a number of pathogenic bacteria. They are thought to be required for tissue penetration and dissemination, acting as “spreading factors.” Flavobacterium psychrophilum is a devastating bacterial pathogen of salmonid fish (salmon and trout) that is responsible for severe economic losses worldwide. This pathogen displays strong proteolytic activities. Using a variety of techniques, including genome comparisons, we identified a gene encoding a novel elastase in F. psychrophilum. The encoded protein is predicted to be a cell-surface-exposed lipoprotein with no homology to previously reported elastases. In addition, this elastase likely belongs to a new family of proteases that seems to be present only in some members of this important group of bacteria.