Summary
This study elucidates the ecological role of holomycin, a structurally complex antibiotic synthesised by the aquaculture pathogen Yersinia ruckeri during low-temperature infection of rainbow trout. Rather than acting as a direct lethal agent, holomycin remodels the host-associated microbial community and promotes bacterial biofilm formation, collectively enhancing pathogen colonisation and virulence. The findings provide mechanistic insights into how pathogenic bacteria evolve chemical arsenals that function as host-associated effectors to modulate the infection microenvironment.
Regional applicability
This research addresses pathogenic mechanisms in aquaculture-relevant species and has direct applicability to understanding and managing disease in farmed rainbow trout in the United Kingdom and beyond, though the specific low-temperature infection dynamics may be most relevant to cold-water aquaculture systems.
Key measures
Holomycin biosynthesis temperature-dependency, in vivo holomycin accumulation during infection, virulence of wild-type versus holomycin-deficient mutants, host-associated microbiota composition changes, Y. ruckeri biofilm formation, integrated multiomics analysis
Outcomes reported
The study identified holomycin, a dithiolopyrrolone antibiotic produced by the fish pathogen Yersinia ruckeri, as a virulence factor that remodels host microbiota and enhances biofilm formation during low-temperature infection in rainbow trout. Holomycin-deficient mutants showed markedly reduced virulence, establishing holomycin as a host-associated effector rather than a direct lethal agent.
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