Identification of outer membrane proteins of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio alginolyticus altered in response to γ-irradiation or long-term starvation

Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio alginolyticus were subjected to γ-irradiation (0.5 kGy) or starvation by incubation for 8 months in seawater to study modifications in their outer membrane protein patterns. After treatment, outer membrane protein profiles of starved or γ-irradiated bacteria were found to be altered when analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Altered proteins were identified by mass spectrometry (MS and MS/MS) and analyses revealed that OmpU can be considered a starvation stress-induced protein. In addition, expression of OtnA, OmpW, OmpA and peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein decreased to non-detectable levels in starved cells. Furthermore, MltA-interacting protein MipA appeared under γ-irradiation or starvation conditions. Thus, it can be considered to be a γ-irradiation, long-term starvation stress protein in some vibrios.