Time-series transcriptomic analysis of the deep-sea bacterium Shewanella piezotolerans WP3 in response to high salinity stress

Osmoregulatory mechanisms have been investigated in different groups of bacteria. Nevertheless, the molecular processes of deep-sea microorganism in response to salt stress have not been investigated. In this study, the temporal gene expression patterns of the deep-sea bacterium Shewanella piezotolerans WP3 in response to high salinity stress were evaluated through whole-genome microarray analysis. A total of 35, 13, and 19 genes were differentially expressed after WP3 was exposed to high salinity stress for 30, 60, and 90 min, respectively. Only five genes were identified as commonly differentially expressed. The hierarchical clustering analysis of the gene expression patterns revealed that WP3 uses common adaptive strategies to cope with the multiple environmental stresses. The results of this study provide the first glimpse into the changes in global gene expression in benthic bacterium under high salt stress.