In silico analysis of putative hemolysin proteins in the genome of Vibrio alginolyticus ATCC 17749 and their structure prediction

Hemolysin is one of the major pathogenic factors for pathogenic bacteria. Hemolysin can break down erythrocytes (RBC) which is called hemolysis. Hemolysins act on the cell membrane of erythrocytes, resulting in pore formation in the membrane and liberating hemoglobin into the growing environment. Hemoglobin is used as an iron source by pathogenic bacteria with the help of a siderophore or is taken up via iron receptors present on the bacterial cell membrane. Despite the pore formation into erythrocytes, hemolysin or cytolysin has also the ability to pore formation in a broad range of the cells such as mast cells, neutrophils and polymorphonuclear cells. It also enhances virulence by causing tissue and cell damage. Hemolysin is associated with the pathogenesis of different Vibrio spp. that cause either wound infection or intestinal infection. V. cholerae and V. parahemolyticus are popularly known for intestinal infection whereas V. alginolyticus and V. vulnificus cause would infections. The genome of Vibrio alginolyticus ATCC 17749 was analyzed for the gene responsible for the biosynthesis of hemolysins. Its genome encodes for five hemolysins that might play an important role in hemolysis and pathogenesis. Physiological properties functional annotation and predicted structure will significantly increase the level of understanding of hemolysins of Vibrio alginolyticus ATCC 117749.