Effects of respiratory activity on starvation survival of marine vibrios

Abstract

The marine bacterium Vibrio fluvialis NCTC11328 responded to nutrient depletion by a reduction in cell volume, and this was prevented by conditions that eliminated respiration as a source of energy. Addition of the protonophore, CCCP, removal of oxygen and introduction of mutations leading to defects of the respiratory chain prevented size reduction during periods of nutrient limitation. Further, survival of the wild-type strain during starvation was reduced under anaerobic conditions and survival of respiratory mutants under aerobic conditions was reduced compared with that of the parent strain. Removal by mutation of the respiratory Na+ pump from Vibrio alginolyticus did not inhibit size reduction or lead to reduced viability in starved cultures.