Evidence that Vibrio vulnificus ahpC2 is essential for survival under high salinity by modulating intracellular level of ROS

Expression of ahpC2 encoding an alkyl hydroperoxide reductase of Vibrio vulnificus, a foodborne pathogen, was incrementally induced depending on NaCl concentrations in the culture. Growth of the ahpC2 mutant was significantly impaired with longer lag phase and lower growth rate when cultured under high salinity. ROS was accumulated in V. vulnificus cells when stressed by exposure to high salinity, and the ahpC2 mutant accumulated higher level of ROS as compared with the parental wild type. Consequently, the combined results suggest that AhpC2 contributes to the growth of V. vulnificus under high salinity by scavenging ROS in cells.