1
|
Fan J, Kang H, Lv M, Zhai Y, Jia Y, Yang Z, Shi C, Zhou C, Diao L, Li J, Jin X, Liu S, Kristiansen K, Zhang P, Chen J, Li S. Taxonomic composition and functional potentials of gastrointestinal microbiota in 12 wild-stranded cetaceans. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1394745. [PMID: 39268538 PMCID: PMC11390675 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1394745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Cetaceans play a crucial role in marine ecosystems; however, research on their gastrointestinal microbiota remains limited due to sampling constraints. In this study, we collected hindgut samples from 12 stranded cetaceans and performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to investigate microbial composition and functional potentials. Analysis of ZOTUs profiles revealed that the phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes dominated all hindgut samples. However, unique microbial profiles were observed among different cetacean species, with significant separation of gut microbiota communities according to biological evolutionary lineages. Different genera that contain pathogens were observed distinguishing delphinids from physeteroids/ziphiids. Delphinid samples exhibited higher abundances of Vibrio, Escherichia, and Paeniclostridium, whereas physeteroid and ziphiid samples showed higher abundances of Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, and Intestinimonas. Functional analysis indicated convergence in the gut microbiota among all cetaceans, with shared bacterial infection pathways across hindgut samples. In addition, a comparison of the gastrointestinal microbial composition between a stranded short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and a stranded rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) using 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed distinct microbial community structures and functional capacities. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first report on the gastrointestinal microbiota of the pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), Blainville's beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris), and rough-toothed dolphin, with various comparisons conducted among different cetacean species. Our findings enhance the understanding of microbial composition and diversity in cetacean gastrointestinal microbiota, providing new insights into co-evolution and complex interactions between cetacean microbes and hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Fan
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- BGI Research, Qingdao, China
| | - Hui Kang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Marine Mammal and Marine Bioacoustics Laboratory, Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, China
| | | | - Yuhuan Zhai
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Marine Mammal and Marine Bioacoustics Laboratory, Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, China
| | | | - Zixin Yang
- Marine Mammal and Marine Bioacoustics Laboratory, Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, China
| | | | | | | | | | - Xiaowei Jin
- China National Environmental Monitoring Centre, Beijing, China
| | | | - Karsten Kristiansen
- Qingdao Key Laboratory of Marine Genomics, and Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI Research, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory of Genomics and Molecular Biomedicine, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peijun Zhang
- Marine Mammal and Marine Bioacoustics Laboratory, Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, China
| | - Jianwei Chen
- BGI Research, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Key Laboratory of Marine Genomics, and Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI Research, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory of Genomics and Molecular Biomedicine, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Songhai Li
- Marine Mammal and Marine Bioacoustics Laboratory, Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, China
- The Innovation Research Center for Aquatic Mammals, and Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Brammer-Robbins E, Nouri MZ, Griffin EK, Aristizabal-Henao J, Denslow ND, Bowden JA, Larkin IV, Martyniuk CJ. Assessment of lipids and adrenal hormones in the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) from different habitats. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 337:114250. [PMID: 36858274 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris), a federally protected species, are classified as threatened due to anthropogenic stressors. Manatees inhabit sites that are impacted by human activities that can negatively affect stress physiology and metabolism. Samples collected from healthy manatees (pregnant females, non-pregnant females, and males) at Crystal River and Indian River Lagoon in Florida, were assessed for adrenal hormones, proteins, glucose, and lipid content in plasma. The objective was to determine if healthy manatees sampled between 2010-2014 from the Indian River Lagoon exhibited evidence of stress compared to healthy manatees sampled between 2012-2019 from Crystal River. Plasma cortisol concentrations were not different in male and non-pregnant female manatees between sites but were elevated in pregnant manatees. Plasma aldosterone concentrations were elevated in Indian River Lagoon manatees relative to those at Crystal River, possibly due to differences in salinity and available freshwater between the two environments. Site differences were noted for plasma protein and glucose concentrations in manatees; additionally, differences between the sexes were also observed in glucose concentrations. Fifteen lipid subclasses, including oxidized lysophosphatidylcholines, oxidized phosphatidylcholines, oxidized triacylglycerols, were elevated in manatees from the Indian River Lagoon relative to manatees from Crystal River. Evidence of a stress response in healthy Indian River Lagoon manatees was lacking compared to Crystal River manatees. Differences in metabolites related to energy (glucose, protein, and lipids) may be related to site-specific variables, such as salinity and food availability/quality. This study generates novel data on plasma lipid profiles and provides cortisol, aldosterone, glucose, and protein values from healthy Florida manatees in two disparate sites that can be referenced in future studies. These data contribute to an improved understanding of manatee physiology to better inform population management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Brammer-Robbins
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, the United States of America; Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, the United States of America
| | - Mohammad-Zaman Nouri
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, the United States of America
| | - Emily K Griffin
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, the United States of America; Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, the United States of America
| | - Juan Aristizabal-Henao
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, the United States of America; BPGbio Inc., 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham, MA 01701, the United States of America
| | - Nancy D Denslow
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, the United States of America; Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, the United States of America; Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, the United States of America
| | - John A Bowden
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, the United States of America; Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, the United States of America; Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, the United States of America
| | - Iske V Larkin
- Aquatic Animal Health Program, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida Gainesville, FL, the United States of America
| | - Christopher J Martyniuk
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, the United States of America; Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, the United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Monteiro JP, Ferreira HB, Melo T, Flanagan C, Urbani N, Neves J, Domingues P, Domingues MR. The plasma phospholipidome of the bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus) is modulated by both sex and developmental stage. Mol Omics 2023; 19:35-47. [PMID: 36314173 DOI: 10.1039/d2mo00202g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Lipidomics represent a valid complementary tool to the biochemical analysis of plasma in humans. However, in cetaceans, these tools have been unexplored. Here, we evaluated how the plasma lipid composition of Tursiops truncatus is modulated by developmental stage and sex, aiming at a potential use of lipidomics in integrated strategies to monitor cetacean health. We characterized the fatty acid profile and detected a total of 26 fatty acids in T. truncatus plasma. The most abundant fatty acids were palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0) and oleic acid (C18:1n-9). Interestingly, there are consistent differences between the fatty acid profile of mature female and mature male specimens. Phospholipidome analysis identified 320 different lipid species belonging to phosphatidylcholine (PC, 105 lipid species), lysophosphatidylcholine (42), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE, 67), lysophosphatidylethanolamine (18), phosphatidylglycerol (14), lysophosphatidylglycerol (8), phosphatidylinositol (14), lysophosphatidylinositol (2), phosphatidylserine (3), sphingomyelin (45) and ceramides (2) classes. The statistical analysis of the phospholipidome showed that its composition allows discriminating mature animals between sexes and mature males from immature males. Notably, discrimination between sexes is mainly determined by the contents of PE plasmalogens and lysophospholipids (LPC and LPE), while the differences between mature and immature male animals were mainly determined by the levels of PC lipids. This is the first time that a correlation between developmental stage and sex and the lipid composition of the plasma has been established in cetaceans. Being able to discern between age and sex-related changes is an encouraging step towards using these tools to also detect differences related to disease/dysfunction processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João P Monteiro
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal. .,CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Helena B Ferreira
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal. .,CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Tânia Melo
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal. .,CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | | | | | | | - Pedro Domingues
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal. .,CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - M Rosário Domingues
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal. .,CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Saito R, Bando T, Kotaniguchi M, Tamura T, Kuno T, Watanabe K, Mizukami Y, Kitamura S, Kadokawa H. Ethanolamine plasmalogens derived from whale brain stimulate both follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone secretion by bovine gonadotrophs. Anim Sci J 2023; 94:e13839. [PMID: 37247943 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Ethanolamine plasmalogens (EPls) are the only known ligands of a novel receptor, G protein-coupled receptor 61, and bovine brain EPls stimulate follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) but not luteinizing hormone (LH), secreted by bovine gonadotrophs. We hypothesized that the brain EPls of whales (Balaenoptera edeni), another Cetartiodactyla with at least twice the lifespan of bovines, could stimulate FSH secretion by gonadotrophs. To test this hypothesis, bovine gonadotrophs (from approximately 2-year-old Japanese Black heifers) were cultured for 3.5 days and treated with increasing concentrations of brain EP1s from whales (approximately 22 years old). FSH and LH secretion was stimulated by all tested concentrations of whale EPls (p < 0.05). To clarify the important differences between bovine and whale EPls, we utilized two-dimensional liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, which revealed 35 peaks. Among them, we observed significant differences between 12 EPl molecular species. Additionally, we identified differentially expressed genes for enzymes involved in EPl synthesis or degradation in the hypothalamus of young heifers and old cows (approximately 10 years old) as compared to whales (approximately 28 years old) via deep sequencing of the transcriptome. We conclude that whale brains contain unique EPls that stimulate both FSH and LH secretion by bovine gonadotrophs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Risa Saito
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | | | - Miyako Kotaniguchi
- International Polysaccharide Engineering Inc., Laboratory of Advanced Food Process Engineering, Organization for Research Promotion, Osaka Metropolitan University, Sakai, Japan
| | | | - Tomoe Kuno
- Institute of Cetacean Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Watanabe
- Center for Gene Research, Yamaguchi University, Ube, Japan
| | | | - Shinichi Kitamura
- Laboratory of Advanced Food Process Engineering, Organization for Research Promotion, Osaka Metropolitan University, Sakai, Japan
| | - Hiroya Kadokawa
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Weijs L, Covaci A, Carroll A, Kemper C, Melvin S. Exploring lipid affinities of persistent organic pollutants and MeO-PBDEs in blubber of marine mammals. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 308:136448. [PMID: 36115469 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Although lipophilic compounds have been the focus of numerous studies in marine mammals, their association with lipids is widely accepted, but rarely scrutinized. This pilot study aimed to investigate potential relationships between individual lipids from different lipid classes identified through a non-targeted Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) based lipidomics approach and legacy POPs in the blubber of long-finned pilot whales, sperm whales, common bottlenose dolphins, and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. Concentrations of selected POPs such as HCB and HCHs in sperm whales from Tasmania were found to differ from those in long-finned pilot whales and common bottlenose dolphins from the same location. Profiles of NMR spectra measured in blubber of sperm whales were also distinctly different compared to the pilot whales and common bottlenose dolphins. Two groups of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins from South Australia that were 20 years apart showed highly comparable profiles of NMR signals despite having higher concentrations of several POP classes in the more recent group. More specific correlations were investigated between selected POPs (n = 12) and all detected NMR signals (n = 63) in all species. Outcomes were species-specific, but difficult to interpret due to the lack of available literature for marine mammals and the small sample sizes per species. Because of the key role of lipids in the bioaccumulation of POPs and in the incidence of diseases, more attention should be given to the identification and characterization of lipid species in future toxicological studies. However, future studies should focus on one marine mammal species to increase sample sizes and limit the number of confounding factors, such as diet, that can influence POP and lipid levels and profiles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liesbeth Weijs
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, 4215, Australia; Australian Rivers Institute (ARI), Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, 4222, Australia; Coastal and Marine Research Centre, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, 4222, Australia.
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, 2610, Belgium
| | - Anthony Carroll
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, 4215, Australia; Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, 4215, Australia
| | - Catherine Kemper
- South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Steve Melvin
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, 4215, Australia; Australian Rivers Institute (ARI), Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, 4222, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kebke A, Samarra F, Derous D. Climate change and cetacean health: impacts and future directions. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210249. [PMID: 35574848 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change directly impacts the foraging opportunities of cetaceans (e.g. lower prey availability), leads to habitat loss, and forces cetaceans to move to other feeding grounds. The rise in ocean temperature, low prey availability and loss of habitat can have severe consequences for cetacean survival, particularly those species that are already threatened or those with a limited habitat range. In addition, it is predicted that the concentration of contaminants in aquatic environments will increase owing to Arctic meltwater and increased rainfall events leading to higher rates of land-based runoff in downstream coastal areas. These persistent and mobile contaminants can bioaccumulate in the ecosystem, and lead to ecotoxicity with potentially severe consequences on the reproductive organs, immune system and metabolism of marine mammals. There is a need to measure and assess the cumulative impact of multiple stressors, given that climate change, habitat alteration, low prey availability and contaminants do not act in isolation. Human-caused perturbations to cetacean foraging abilities are becoming a pervasive and prevalent threat to many cetacean species on top of climate change-associated stressors. We need to move to a greater understanding of how multiple stressors impact the metabolism of cetaceans and ultimately their population trajectory. This article is part of the theme issue 'Nurturing resilient marine ecosystems'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kebke
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Filipa Samarra
- University of Iceland's Institute of Research Centres, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
| | - Davina Derous
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rey F, Melo T, Lopes D, Couto D, Marques F, Domingues MDRM. Applications of lipidomics in marine organisms: Progresses, challenges and future perspectives. Mol Omics 2022; 18:357-386. [DOI: 10.1039/d2mo00012a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Marine ecosystems comprise a high diversity of life forms, such as algae, invertebrates, and vertebrates. These organisms have adapted their physiology according to the conditions of the environments in which...
Collapse
|
8
|
Lipidomic profiling reveals biosynthetic relationships between phospholipids and diacylglycerol ethers in the deep-sea soft coral Paragorgia arborea. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21285. [PMID: 34711899 PMCID: PMC8553863 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00876-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The cold-water gorgonian coral Paragorgia arborea is considered as a foundation species of deep-sea ecosystems in the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans. To advance lipidomic studies of deep-sea corals, molecular species compositions of diacylglycerol ethers (DAGE), which are specific storage lipids of corals, and structural glycerophospholipids (GPL) including ethanolamine, choline, inositol and serine GPL (PE, PC, PI, and PS, respectively) were analyzed in P. arborea by HPLC and tandem mass spectrometry. In DAGE molecules, alkyl groups (16:0, 14:0, and 18:1), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and monounsaturated FA are mainly substituted the glycerol moiety at position sn-1, sn-2, and sn-3, respectively. The ether form (1-O-alkyl-2-acyl) predominates in PE and PC, while PI is comprised of the 1,2-diacyl form. Both ether and diacyl forms were observed in PS. At position sn-2, C20 PUFA are mainly attached to PC, but C24 PUFA, soft coral chemotaxonomic markers, concentrate in PS, PI, and PE. A comparison of non-polar parts of molecules has shown that DAGE, ether PE, and ether PC can originate from one set of 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycerols. Ether PE may be converted to ether PS by the base-exchange reaction. A diacylglycerol unit generated from phosphatidic acid can be a precursor for diacyl PS, PC, and PI. Thus, a lipidomic approach has confirmed the difference in biosynthetic origins between ether and diacyl lipids of deep-sea gorgonians.
Collapse
|
9
|
Bories P, Rikardsen AH, Leonards P, Fisk AT, Tartu S, Vogel EF, Bytingsvik J, Blévin P. A deep dive into fat: Investigating blubber lipidomic fingerprint of killer whales and humpback whales in northern Norway. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:6716-6729. [PMID: 34141252 PMCID: PMC8207449 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In cetaceans, blubber is the primary and largest lipid body reservoir. Our current understanding about lipid stores and uses in cetaceans is still limited, and most studies only focused on a single narrow snapshot of the lipidome. We documented an extended lipidomic fingerprint in two cetacean species present in northern Norway during wintertime. We were able to detect 817 molecular lipid species in blubber of killer whales (Orcinus orca) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). The profiles were largely dominated by triradylglycerols in both species and, to a lesser extent, by other constituents including glycerophosphocholines, phosphosphingolipids, glycerophosphoethanolamines, and diradylglycerols. Through a unique combination of traditional statistical approaches, together with a novel bioinformatic tool (LION/web), we showed contrasting fingerprint composition between species. The higher content of triradylglycerols in humpback whales is necessary to fuel their upcoming half a year fasting and energy-demanding migration between feeding and breeding grounds. In adipocytes, we assume that the intense feeding rate of humpback whales prior to migration translates into an important accumulation of triacylglycerol content in lipid droplets. Upstream, the endoplasmic reticulum is operating at full capacity to supply acute lipid storage, consistent with the reported enrichment of glycerophosphocholines in humpback whales, major components of the endoplasmic reticulum. There was also an enrichment of membrane components, which translates into higher sphingolipid content in the lipidome of killer whales, potentially as a structural adaptation for their higher hydrodynamic performance. Finally, the presence of both lipid-enriched and lipid-depleted individuals within the killer whale population in Norway suggests dietary specialization, consistent with significant differences in δ15N and δ13C isotopic ratios in skin between the two groups, with higher values and a wider niche for the lipid-enriched individuals. Results suggest the lipid-depleted killer whales were herring specialists, while the lipid-enriched individuals might feed on both herrings and seals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Audun H. Rikardsen
- Department of Arctic and Marine BiologyUiT ‐ The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
| | - Pim Leonards
- Department of Environment and HealthVrije UniversiteitAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Aaron T. Fisk
- School of the EnvironmentUniversity of WindsorWindsorONCanada
| | - Sabrina Tartu
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de ChizéVilliers en BoisFrance
| | - Emma F. Vogel
- Department of Arctic and Marine BiologyUiT ‐ The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Monteiro JP, Maciel E, Melo T, Flanagan C, Urbani N, Neves J, Domingues MR. The plasma phospholipidome of Tursiops truncatus: From physiological insight to the design of prospective tools for managed cetacean monitorization. Lipids 2021; 56:461-473. [PMID: 34036588 DOI: 10.1002/lipd.12307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Plasma biochemical analysis remains one of the established ways of monitoring captive marine mammal health. More recently, complementary plasma lipidomic analysis has proven to be a valid tool in disease diagnosis and prevention, with the potential to validate and complement common biochemical analysis, providing a more integrative approach. In this study, we thoroughly characterized the plasma polar lipid content of Tursiops truncatus, the most common cetacean species held under human care. Our results showed that phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, and sphingomyelins (CerPCho) are the most represented phospholipid classes in T. truncatus plasma. Palmitic, oleic, and stearic acids are the major fatty acid (FA) present esterified to the plasma polar lipids of this species, although some n-3 species are also remarkably present, namely eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. The polar lipidome identified by HILIC LC-MS allowed identifying 304 different lipid species. These species belong to the phosphatidylcholine (103 lipid species), lysophosphatidylcholine (35), phosphatidylethanolamine (71), lysophosphatidylethanolamine (20), phosphatidylglycerol (13), lysophosphatidylglycerol (5), phosphatidylinositol (15), lysophosphatidylinositol (3), phosphatidylserine (6) lysophosphatidylserine (1), and sphimgomyelin (32) classes. This was the first time that the dolphin plasma phospholipid profile was characterized, providing a knowledge that will be important to further understand lipid metabolism and physiological regulation in small cetaceans. Furthermore, this study proved the practicability of the use of plasma lipid profiling for health assessment in marine mammals under human care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João P Monteiro
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.,CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Maciel
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.,CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Tânia Melo
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.,CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | | | | | | | - Maria Rosário Domingues
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.,CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Koelmel JP, Napolitano MP, Ulmer CZ, Vasiliou V, Garrett TJ, Yost RA, Prasad MNV, Godri Pollitt KJ, Bowden JA. Environmental lipidomics: understanding the response of organisms and ecosystems to a changing world. Metabolomics 2020; 16:56. [PMID: 32307636 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-020-01665-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the interaction between organisms and the environment is important for predicting and mitigating the effects of global phenomena such as climate change, and the fate, transport, and health effects of anthropogenic pollutants. By understanding organism and ecosystem responses to environmental stressors at the molecular level, mechanisms of toxicity and adaptation can be determined. This information has important implications in human and environmental health, engineering biotechnologies, and understanding the interaction between anthropogenic induced changes and the biosphere. One class of molecules with unique promise for environmental science are lipids; lipids are highly abundant and ubiquitous across nearly all organisms, and lipid profiles often change drastically in response to external stimuli. These changes allow organisms to maintain essential biological functions, for example, membrane fluidity, as they adapt to a changing climate and chemical environment. Lipidomics can help scientists understand the historical and present biofeedback processes in climate change and the biogeochemical processes affecting nutrient cycles. Lipids can also be used to understand how ecosystems respond to historical environmental changes with lipid signatures dating back to hundreds of millions of years, which can help predict similar changes in the future. In addition, lipids are direct targets of environmental stressors, for example, lipids are easily prone to oxidative damage, which occurs during exposure to most toxins. AIM OF REVIEW This is the first review to summarize the current efforts to comprehensively measure lipids to better understand the interaction between organisms and their environment. This review focuses on lipidomic applications in the arenas of environmental toxicology and exposure assessment, xenobiotic exposures and health (e.g., obesity), global climate change, and nutrient cycles. Moreover, this review summarizes the use of and the potential for lipidomics in engineering biotechnologies for the remediation of persistent compounds and biofuel production. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPT With the preservation of certain lipids across millions of years and our ever-increasing understanding of their diverse biological roles, lipidomic-based approaches provide a unique utility to increase our understanding of the contemporary and historical interactions between organisms, ecosystems, and anthropogenically-induced environmental changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy P Koelmel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, 125 Buckman Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Michael P Napolitano
- CSS, Inc., under contract to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Hollings Marine Laboratory, 331 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC, 29412, USA
| | - Candice Z Ulmer
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Hollings Marine Laboratory, 331 Ft. Johnson Road, Charleston, SC, 29412, USA
| | - Vasilis Vasiliou
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Timothy J Garrett
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, 125 Buckman Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Richard A Yost
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, 125 Buckman Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - M N V Prasad
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500046, India
| | - Krystal J Godri Pollitt
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - John A Bowden
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 1333 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Magnadóttir B, Uysal-Onganer P, Kraev I, Svansson V, Hayes P, Lange S. Deiminated proteins and extracellular vesicles - Novel serum biomarkers in whales and orca. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2020; 34:100676. [PMID: 32114311 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2020.100676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) are a family of phylogenetically conserved calcium-dependent enzymes which cause post-translational protein deimination. This can result in neoepitope generation, affect gene regulation and allow for protein moonlighting via functional and structural changes in target proteins. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry cargo proteins and genetic material and are released from cells as part of cellular communication. EVs are found in most body fluids where they can be useful biomarkers for assessment of health status. Here, serum-derived EVs were profiled, and post-translationally deiminated proteins and EV-related microRNAs are described in 5 ceataceans: minke whale, fin whale, humpback whale, Cuvier's beaked whale and orca. EV-serum profiles were assessed by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. EV profiles varied between the 5 species and were identified to contain deiminated proteins and selected key inflammatory and metabolic microRNAs. A range of proteins, critical for immune responses and metabolism were identified to be deiminated in cetacean sera, with some shared KEGG pathways of deiminated proteins relating to immunity and physiology, while some KEGG pathways were species-specific. This is the first study to characterise and profile EVs and to report deiminated proteins and putative effects of protein-protein interaction networks via such post-translationald deimination in cetaceans, revealing key immune and metabolic factors to undergo this post-translational modification. Deiminated proteins and EVs profiles may possibly be developed as new biomarkers for assessing health status of sea mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bergljót Magnadóttir
- Institute for Experimental Pathology, University of Iceland, Keldur v. Vesturlandsveg, 112 Reykjavik, Iceland.
| | - Pinar Uysal-Onganer
- Cancer Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK.
| | - Igor Kraev
- Electron Microscopy Suite, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK.
| | - Vilhjálmur Svansson
- Institute for Experimental Pathology, University of Iceland, Keldur v. Vesturlandsveg, 112 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Polly Hayes
- Tissue Architecture and Regeneration Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK.
| | - Sigrun Lange
- Tissue Architecture and Regeneration Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK.
| |
Collapse
|