Temporal Transcriptional Responses of a Vibrio alginolyticus Strain to Podoviridae Phage HH109 Revealed by RNA-Seq

Phage are thought to exhibit control over host genes during infection. As a preliminary investigation of the kinetics and magnitude of co-expression between phage and bacteria, we compared the global transcriptional profiles for Vibrio alginolyticus strain E110 and its lytic phage HH109 by using RNA sequencing. In total, 24.7% (1,143/4,620) of the host protein-coding genes were differentially expressed genes during infection (DEGs). Functional analysis of the host DEGs suggests that phage HH109 induced rapid and distinctive changes when compared with 60- and 120-min postinfection (mpi). Based on gene co-expression network analysis, an uncharacterized late gene gp27 encoded by the phage HH109 was predicted to modulate the host’s membrane transport and/or transcriptional regulation. Furthermore, expression of several bacterial virulence genes was downregulated while drug resistance genes were upregulated. This work contributes to an in-depth understanding of the reciprocal interactions of lytic phage HH109 and its pathogenic Vibrio host E110, and can provide new insights into the research and development of phage therapy against pathogenic Vibrio infections in the economically significant aquatic animals. IMPORTANCE Vibrio alginolyticus is a common opportunistic pathogen that causes mass mortality in cultured marine animals. Phage HH109 lyses pathogenic V. alginolyticus strain E110 with high efficiency and thus serves as a useful model to understand the dynamic interplay of a phage and its host. Global transcriptomic responses of strain E110 post-HH109 infection were characterized by using RNA sequencing, elucidating step-by-step control by HH109, an antiphage-like responses, and the elevated expression of drug resistance. This study provides a detailed molecular description phage and V. alginolyticus, providing insight into better prevention and control of vibriosis in aquatic animals.