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Genomic-scale analysis of Pasteurella multocida gene expression during growth within liver tissue of chickens with
John D Boyce1, Ian Wilkie, Marina Harper
1Veterinary Pathology and Anatomy, School of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, The University of Queensland, Qld 4072, Australia. john.boyce@med.monash.edu.au
Abstract:
We have recently reported the gene expression profile of Pasteurella multocida during growth in the blood of chickens with fowl cholera. Here we report the gene expression profile of P. multocida during growth in the livers of similarly infected chickens. We compared expression profiles of bacteria harvested from the livers of infected chickens with late-stage fowl cholera with those of bacteria grown in rich medium. Independent analysis of bacterial expression profiles from three individual chickens indicated that 93 P. multocida genes were always differentially expressed during growth in liver tissue. Of these 93 genes, 49 were upregulated and 44 downregulated in the host. Many of the upregulated genes were involved in energy production and conversion (9/49) and carbohydrate transport and metabolism (8/49), and a number of these have been shown to be induced under anaerobic conditions in other species. The downregulated genes were generally of unknown or poorly characterised functions (14/44). Comparison of the differentially regulated gene sets identified for growth in liver with those identified previously for growth in blood allowed the identification of a core set of 13 upregulated and 16 downregulated genes that were differentially regulated in at least five of the six infections studied.
Insights
This study reveals Pasteurella multocida gene expression changes in chicken livers during fowl cholera. Key genes involved in energy and metabolism were upregulated, offering insights into bacterial adaptation during infection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Fowl cholera, caused by Pasteurella multocida, is a significant poultry disease.
- Understanding bacterial gene expression during infection is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the gene expression profile of Pasteurella multocida during growth in chicken liver tissue.
- To compare liver-specific gene expression with previously studied blood expression.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression profiling of P. multocida harvested from infected chicken livers.
- Comparison of bacterial gene expression in vivo (liver) versus in vitro (rich medium).
- Analysis of differential gene expression across multiple infected chickens.
Main Results:
- 93 Pasteurella multocida genes were consistently differentially expressed in liver tissue.
- Upregulated genes were primarily involved in energy production and carbohydrate metabolism, suggesting anaerobic adaptation.
- A core set of 13 upregulated and 16 downregulated genes were identified across both liver and blood infections.
Conclusions:
- Pasteurella multocida alters its gene expression significantly during liver colonization in fowl cholera.
- Identifying consistently regulated genes provides potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
- Comparative analysis between blood and liver highlights distinct and shared adaptive strategies of P. multocida.
