Page 28 - 《渔业研究》2025年第5期

第 5 期 池雨禹等： 蛋白质翻译后修饰在水产病原菌致病机制中的研究进展 569

Research progress on protein post-translational modifications in the
pathogenesis of aquatic pathogens bacterial

CHI Yuyu，LI Chenghua *
(School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China)

Abstract: [Significance] Bacterial infections pose a severe threat to human health and cause significant eco-
nomic losses in aquaculture. Deciphering the molecular pathogenic mechanisms of aquatic bacterial pathogens
is crucial for developing precise prevention and control strategies. With advancements in proteomics and mass
spectrometry, post-translational modifications (PTMs) have emerged as pivotal molecular mechanisms regulat-
ing the pathogenic processes of these bacteria. Therefore, systematically summarizing research progress on
PTMs in aquatic bacterial pathogenesis will deepen our understanding of infection mechanisms and provide
novel insights for developing control measures. [Progress] Studies demonstrate that PTMs such as phos-
phorylation, acetylation, succinylation, and glycosylation are widespread in aquatic bacterial pathogens. These
modifications influence pathogenesis by modulating protein conformation, activity, and interactions. In viru-
lence regulation: acetylation and succinylation of nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) alter their DNA-binding
capacity, thereby regulating the silencing or activation of virulence genes. Key components of two-component
systems (TCS) and quorum sensing (QS) pathways undergo PTMs to mediate signal transduction. PTMs on
transcription factors affect their stability and DNA-binding ability, modulating the transcription of virulence
factors. Modifications on virulence factors themselves directly regulate their activity and infectivity. In patho-
gen-host interaction: PTMs participate in metabolic reprogramming and environmental adaptation of the patho-
gen. Glycosylation modifications of surface structural proteins and flagella impact host immune recognition and
bacterial immune evasion. Notably, host cells can actively mediate PTMs on bacterial effector proteins, altering
their subcellular localization and function to promote infection. Furthermore, complex crosstalk exists between
different PTM types. They can act synergistically or antagonistically on the same protein or residue, forming dy-
namic regulatory networks that provide a molecular basis for pathogen adaptation to the host microenvironment
and enhanced infectivity. [Perspect] While PTMs play critical roles in the pathogenesis of aquatic bacterial
pathogens, current researches remain largely confined to a limited number of modification types and bacterial
species. Future studies should broaden the scope to include diverse PTMs and pathogens, integrate multi-omics
approaches with relevant infection models to reveal dynamic regulatory networks, and deeply explore the mech-
anisms of PTM crosstalk. Systematic investigation of PTMs will not only elucidate bacterial pathogenic mech-
anisms, but also offer novel targets and a theoretical foundation for controlling aquatic bacterial diseases.
Key words: post-translational modifications (PTMs); aquatic bacterial pathogens; virulence; regulatory
functions