Abstract:
Objective To explore the effects of the bvfA gene on the growth, stress tolerance and intracellular survival of Brucella 16M.
Methods bvfA deletion and complement strains were constructed by using genetic recombination technology. The growth curves of 16M, 16M bvfA mutant and complement strains were determined by using static turbidimetric method. The stress tolerance, macrophage invasion, and intracellular survival of three strains were evaluated by using plate colony counting method.
Results Compared with the wild strains, the logarithmic growth period of the deletion strain 16M△bvfA was significantly prolonged, and the growth velocity significantly decreased. Compared with the deletion strains, the complement strain 16M△bvfA:bvfA had a significantly increased growth velocity. The survival rate of the deletion strains16M△bvfA was significantly lower than that of the wild strain 16M under conditions of high osmolarity (P=0.002), high salinity (P = 0.025) and oxidative stress (P = 0.046), but the survival rate was only approximately 11.01% of that of the wild strain under oxidative stress. However, the survival rate of the complement strain 16M△bvfA:bvfA was always higher compared with the deletion strain 16M△bvfA under the conditions mentioned above (P=0.045, P=0.006, P=0.004). The invasion rates of the deletion strain 16M△bvfA in macrophages was significantly lower than those of the wild strain 16M at 30 min (P < 0.001), 45 min (P=0.004) and 60 min (P<0.001). And the invasion rates of the complement strain 16M△bvfA:bvfA in macrophages were higher than those of the deletion strain 16M△bvfA at 30 min (P<0.001), 45 min (P=0.011) and 60 min (P<0.001) after the infection. The survival rates of the deletion strain 16M△bvfA in macrophages was lower than the wild strain 16M at 12 h (P=0.016) and 24 h (P=0.001) after the infection, and the survival rate of the deletion strain 16M△bvfA gradually decreased within the cells. Whereas the survival rates of the complement strain 16M△bvfA:bvfA were higher than deletion strain 16M△bvfA at 12 h (P=0.049) and 24 h (P=0.001) after the infection, and the complement strain 16M△bvfA:bvfA and the wild-type strain 16M showed a gradual increase in cell survival rate.
Conclusion bvfA is involved in regulating the growth kinetics and stress response of Brucella 16M, and also participates in modulating, invasion and intracellular survival of Brucella 16M in macrophages, indicating that bvfA plays a crucial role in the adaptation of Brucella to the environment.