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Yancey CE, Kiledal EA, Chaganti SR, Denef VJ, Errera RM, Evans JT, Hart LN, Isailovic D, James WS, Kharbush JJ, Kimbrel JA, Li W, Mayali X, Nitschky H, Polik CA, Powers MA, Premathilaka SH, Rappuhn NA, Reitz LA, Rivera SR, Zwiers CC, Dick GJ. The Western Lake Erie culture collection: A promising resource for evaluating the physiological and genetic diversity of Microcystis and its associated microbiome. HARMFUL ALGAE 2023; 126:102440. [PMID: 37290887 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2023.102440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) dominated by Microcystis spp. have significant public health and economic implications in freshwater bodies around the world. These blooms are capable of producing a variety of cyanotoxins, including microcystins, that affect fishing and tourism industries, human and environmental health, and access to drinking water. In this study, we isolated and sequenced the genomes of 21 primarily unialgal Microcystis cultures collected from western Lake Erie between 2017 and 2019. While some cultures isolated in different years have a high degree of genetic similarity (genomic Average Nucleotide Identity >99%), genomic data show that these cultures also represent much of the breadth of known Microcystis diversity in natural populations. Only five isolates contained all the genes required for microcystin biosynthesis while two isolates contained a previously described partial mcy operon. Microcystin production within cultures was also assessed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and supported genomic results with high concentrations (up to 900 μg L⁻¹) in cultures with complete mcy operons and no or low toxin detected otherwise. These xenic cultures also contained a substantial diversity of bacteria associated with Microcystis, which has become increasingly recognized as an essential component of cyanoHAB community dynamics. These results highlight the genomic diversity among Microcystis strains and associated bacteria in Lake Erie, and their potential impacts on bloom development, toxin production, and toxin degradation. This culture collection significantly increases the availability of environmentally relevant Microcystis strains from temperate North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen E Yancey
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - E Anders Kiledal
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Subba Rao Chaganti
- Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR), University of Michigan, 4840 S State Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, United States of America
| | - Vincent J Denef
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Reagan M Errera
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), 4840 S State Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, United States of America
| | - Jacob T Evans
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Lauren N Hart
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America; Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Dragan Isailovic
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, United States of America
| | - William S James
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Jenan J Kharbush
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey A Kimbrel
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, United States of America
| | - Wei Li
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, United States of America
| | - Xavier Mayali
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, United States of America
| | - Helena Nitschky
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Catherine A Polik
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - McKenzie A Powers
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Sanduni H Premathilaka
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, United States of America
| | - Nicole A Rappuhn
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Laura A Reitz
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Sara R Rivera
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Claire C Zwiers
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Gregory J Dick
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America; Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR), University of Michigan, 4840 S State Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, United States of America.
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Chia MA, Ameh I, George KC, Balogun EO, Akinyemi SA, Lorenzi AS. Genetic Diversity of Microcystin Producers (Cyanobacteria) and Microcystin Congeners in Aquatic Resources across Africa: A Review Paper. TOXICS 2022; 10:772. [PMID: 36548605 PMCID: PMC9783101 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10120772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microcystins are produced by multifaceted organisms called cyanobacteria, which are integral to Africa's freshwater environments. The excessive proliferation of cyanobacteria caused by rising temperature and eutrophication leads to the production and release of copious amounts of microcystins, requiring critical management and control approaches to prevent the adverse environmental and public health problems associated with these bioactive metabolites. Despite hypotheses reported to explain the phylogeography and mechanisms responsible for cyanobacterial blooms in aquatic water bodies, many aspects are scarcely understood in Africa due to the paucity of investigations and lack of uniformity of experimental methods. Due to a lack of information and large-scale studies, cyanobacteria occurrence and genetic diversity are seldom reported in African aquatic ecosystems. This review covers the diversity and geographical distribution of potential microcystin-producing and non-microcystin-producing cyanobacterial taxa in Africa. Molecular analyses using housekeeping genes (e.g., 16S rRNA, ITS, rpoC1, etc.) revealed significant sequence divergence across several cyanobacterial strains from East, North, West, and South Africa, but the lack of uniformity in molecular markers employed made continent-wise phylogenetic comparisons impossible. Planktothrix agardhii, Microcystis aeruginosa, and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (presently known as Raphidiopsis raciborskii) were the most commonly reported genera. Potential microcystin (MCs)-producing cyanobacteria were detected using mcy genes, and several microcystin congeners were recorded. Studying cyanobacteria species from the African continent is urgent to effectively safeguard public and environmental health because more than 80% of the continent has no data on these important microorganisms and their bioactive secondary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Ahii Chia
- Department of Botany, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Nigeria
| | - Ilu Ameh
- Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Nigeria
- African Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Nigeria
| | - Korie Chibuike George
- Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Nigeria
- African Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Adriana Sturion Lorenzi
- Department of Cellular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília—UnB, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
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Vogt JC, Abed RMM, Albach DC, Palinska KA. Latitudinal gradient of cyanobacterial diversity in tidal flats. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224444. [PMID: 31721816 PMCID: PMC6853291 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Latitudinal diversity gradients are well-known for plants and animals, but only recently similar patterns have been described for some specific microbial communities in distinct habitats. Although microbial diversity is well-investigated worldwide, most of the studies are spatially too restricted to allow general statements about global diversity patterns. Additionally, methodological differences make it hard and often impossible to compare several studies. This study investigated the cyanobacterial diversity in tidal flats along geographical and ecological gradients based on high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments (Illumina MiSeq) and environmental data on a large spatial scale from the subtropics to the Arctic. Latitude and strongly correlated environmental parameters (e.g. temperature) were identified as important drivers of cyanobacterial diversity on global scale resulting in a latitudinal diversity gradient similar to that known from plants and animals. Other non-correlated parameters (e.g. grain size) were shown to be more important on local scales, although no consistent pattern occurred across different locations. Among a total number of 989 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) only one cosmopolitan (classified as Coleofasciculus chthonoplastes), but many location-specific and putative endemic ones (78%) were detected. High proportions of rare members of the community (up to 86%) were found in all samples. Phylogenetic beta diversity was shown to be influenced by the developmental stage of the mat community becoming increasingly similar with increasing stabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina C Vogt
- Institute for Biology and Environmental Science (IBU), Biodiversity and Evolution of Plants, Carl-von-Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Raeid M M Abed
- Biology Department, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khoud, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Dirk C Albach
- Institute for Biology and Environmental Science (IBU), Biodiversity and Evolution of Plants, Carl-von-Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Katarzyna A Palinska
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdansk, al. Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego 46, Gdynia, Poland
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Pérez-Carrascal OM, Terrat Y, Giani A, Fortin N, Greer CW, Tromas N, Shapiro BJ. Coherence of Microcystis species revealed through population genomics. ISME JOURNAL 2019; 13:2887-2900. [PMID: 31363173 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-019-0481-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Microcystis is a genus of freshwater cyanobacteria, which causes harmful blooms in ecosystems worldwide. Some Microcystis strains produce harmful toxins such as microcystin, impacting drinking water quality. Microcystis colony morphology, rather than genetic similarity, is often used to classify Microcystis into morphospecies. Yet colony morphology is a plastic trait, which can change depending on environmental and laboratory culture conditions, and is thus an inadequate criterion for species delineation. Furthermore, Microcystis populations are thought to disperse globally and constitute a homogeneous gene pool. However, this assertion is based on relatively incomplete characterization of Microcystis genomic diversity. To better understand these issues, we performed a population genomic analysis of 33 newly sequenced genomes mainly from Canada and Brazil. We identified 17 Microcystis clusters of genomic similarity, five of which correspond to monophyletic clades containing at least three newly sequenced genomes. Four out of these five clades match to named morphospecies. Notably, M. aeruginosa is paraphyletic, distributed across 12 genomic clusters, suggesting it is not a coherent species. A few clades of closely related isolates are specific to a unique geographic location, suggesting biogeographic structure over relatively short evolutionary time scales. Higher homologous recombination rates within than between clades further suggest that monophyletic groups might adhere to a Biological Species-like concept, in which barriers to gene flow maintain species distinctness. However, certain genes-including some involved in microcystin and micropeptin biosynthesis-are recombined between monophyletic groups in the same geographic location, suggesting local adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yves Terrat
- Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Alessandra Giani
- Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | - Nicolas Tromas
- Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - B Jesse Shapiro
- Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Scherer PI, Absmeier C, Urban M, Raeder U, Geist J, Zwirglmaier K. Influence of cyanobacteria, mixotrophic flagellates, and virioplankton size fraction on transcription of microcystin synthesis genes in the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. Microbiologyopen 2018; 7:e00538. [PMID: 28944994 PMCID: PMC5822348 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxic cyanobacteria such as Microcystis aeruginosa are a worldwide concern in freshwater reservoirs. Problems associated with their mass occurrence are predicted to increase in the future due to global warming. The hepatotoxic secondary metabolite microcystin is of particular concern in this context. This study aimed to determine whether co-occurring microorganisms influence the expression of microcystin biosynthesis genes. To this end, we performed cocultivation experiments and measured mcyB and mcyD transcripts in M. aeruginosa using RT-qPCR. We utilized representatives from three different plankton groups: the picocyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus, the unicellular flagellate grazer Ochromonas danica, and virioplankton from two different lakes. The presence of S. elongatus significantly increased mcyB and mcyD transcription in M. aeruginosa. Cocultivation with the mixotrophic chrysophyte O. danica did not increase the transcription of mcyB and mcyD; in fact, mcyD transcripts decreased significantly. The virioplankton size fraction of environmental water samples induced a significant increase in mcyB and mcyD transcription when obtained from lakes with cyanobacterial blooms. Our results show that co-occurring microorganisms influence the expression of microcystin biosynthesis genes in M. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia I. Scherer
- Aquatic Systems Biology UnitDepartment of Life Sciences WeihenstephanLimnological Research Station IffeldorfTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
| | - Carolin Absmeier
- Aquatic Systems Biology UnitDepartment of Life Sciences WeihenstephanLimnological Research Station IffeldorfTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
| | - Maria Urban
- Aquatic Systems Biology UnitDepartment of Life Sciences WeihenstephanLimnological Research Station IffeldorfTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
- Bundeswehr Institute of MicrobiologyMunichGermany
| | - Uta Raeder
- Aquatic Systems Biology UnitDepartment of Life Sciences WeihenstephanLimnological Research Station IffeldorfTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
| | - Juergen Geist
- Aquatic Systems Biology UnitDepartment of Life Sciences WeihenstephanLimnological Research Station IffeldorfTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
| | - Katrin Zwirglmaier
- Aquatic Systems Biology UnitDepartment of Life Sciences WeihenstephanLimnological Research Station IffeldorfTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
- Bundeswehr Institute of MicrobiologyMunichGermany
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Scherer PI, Raeder U, Geist J, Zwirglmaier K. Influence of temperature, mixing, and addition of microcystin-LR on microcystin gene expression in Microcystis aeruginosa. Microbiologyopen 2017; 6:e00393. [PMID: 27411372 PMCID: PMC5300888 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria, such as the toxin producer Microcystis aeruginosa, are predicted to be favored by global warming both directly, through elevated water temperatures, and indirectly, through factors such as prolonged stratification of waterbodies. M. aeruginosa is able to produce the hepatotoxin microcystin, which causes great concern in freshwater management worldwide. However, little is known about the expression of microcystin synthesis genes in response to climate change-related factors. In this study, a new RT-qPCR assay employing four reference genes (GAPDH, gltA, rpoC1, and rpoD) was developed to assess the expression of two target genes (the microcystin synthesis genes mcyB and mcyD). This assay was used to investigate changes in mcyB and mcyD expression in response to selected environmental factors associated with global warming. A 10°C rise in temperature significantly increased mcyB expression, but not mcyD expression. Neither mixing nor the addition of microcystin-LR (10 μg L-1 or 60 μg L-1 ) significantly altered mcyB and mcyD expression. The expression levels of mcyB and mcyD were correlated but not identical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia I. Scherer
- Aquatic Systems Biology UnitLimnological Research Station IffeldorfDepartment of Ecology and Ecosystem ManagementTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
| | - Uta Raeder
- Aquatic Systems Biology UnitLimnological Research Station IffeldorfDepartment of Ecology and Ecosystem ManagementTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
| | - Juergen Geist
- Aquatic Systems Biology UnitLimnological Research Station IffeldorfDepartment of Ecology and Ecosystem ManagementTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
| | - Katrin Zwirglmaier
- Aquatic Systems Biology UnitLimnological Research Station IffeldorfDepartment of Ecology and Ecosystem ManagementTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
- Present address: Bundeswehr Institute of MicrobiologyMunichGermany
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Marmen S, Aharonovich D, Grossowicz M, Blank L, Yacobi YZ, Sher DJ. Distribution and Habitat Specificity of Potentially-Toxic Microcystis across Climate, Land, and Water Use Gradients. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:271. [PMID: 27014200 PMCID: PMC4791393 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are a growing threat to freshwater bodies worldwide. In order for a toxic bloom to occur, a population of cells with the genetic capacity to produce toxins must be present together with the appropriate environmental conditions. In this study, we investigated the distribution patterns and phylogeny of potentially-toxic Microcystis (indicated by the presence and/or phylogeny of the mcyD and mcyA genes). Samples were collected from the water column of almost 60 water bodies across widely differing gradients of environmental conditions and land use in Israel. Potentially, toxic populations were common but not ubiquitous, detected in ~65% of the studied sites. Local environmental factors, including phosphorus and ammonia concentrations and pH, as well as regional conditions such as the distance from built areas and nature reserves, were correlated with the distribution of the mcyD gene. A specific phylogenetic clade of Microcystis, defined using the sequence of the mcyA gene, was preferentially associated with aquaculture facilities but not irrigation reservoirs. Our results reveal important environmental, geospatial, and land use parameters affecting the geographic distribution of toxinogenic Microcystis, suggesting non-random dispersal of these globally abundant toxic cyanobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophi Marmen
- Department of Marine Biology, Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa Haifa, Israel
| | - Dikla Aharonovich
- Department of Marine Biology, Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa Haifa, Israel
| | - Michal Grossowicz
- Department of Marine Biology, Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa Haifa, Israel
| | - Lior Blank
- Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, ARO, Volcani Center Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Yosef Z Yacobi
- Yigal Allon Kinneret Limnological Laboratory, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Migdal, Israel
| | - Daniel J Sher
- Department of Marine Biology, Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa Haifa, Israel
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