Effect of nutrient limitation in the stability of ToxR, culturability and morphology of <i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i>.

<p><b>(A)</b> ToxR immunoblot of <i>V</i>. <i>parahaemolyticus</i> RIMD2210633 wild-type or <i>ΔtoxR</i> grown for either 12 or 48 hours in LB starting pH 7.0 unbuffered (LB), or LB buffered to pH 7.0 with 100 mM HEPES (Buff) <b>(B)</b> Culturability of <i>V</i>. <i>parahaemolyticus</i> RIMD2210633 grown for 48 hours in LB starting pH 7.0 unbuffered (LB), or LB buffered to pH 7.0 with 100 mM HEPES (Buff). The bars represent the mean of four independent experiments and the error bars indicate the standard deviation. Statistical comparisons were made using the student’s <i>t</i>-test and compare samples relative to 48h Buff. ***<i>P</i> < 0.0005. <b>(C)</b> Fluorescent (F) and differential interference contrast (DIC) images of <i>V</i>. <i>parahaemolyticus</i> RIMD2210633 grown for 48 hours under conditions as in (B). The cells were observed after treatment with the LIVE/DEAD BacLight Bacterial Viability and Counting Kit. Viable and culturable cells appear green and elongated; viable but dormant cells appear green and round; dead cells appear red and round.