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Xing Y, Cheng L, Zheng L, Wu H, Tan Q, Wang X, Tian Q. Brownification increases the abundance of microorganisms related to carbon and nitrogen cycling in shallow lakes. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 257:119243. [PMID: 38810820 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119243] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Brownification in aquatic ecosystems under global change has attracted attention. The composition and quantity of dissolved organic matter transported from various land use types to lakes differ significantly, causing varying ecological effects of lake brownification by region. Bacterial communities make a significant contribution to the material cycle of ecosystems and are sensitive to environmental changes. In this study, a series of mesocosm systems were used to simulate forest lakes and urban lakes with different degrees of brownification, and a high-throughput amplicon sequencing technique was used to explore the changes in the composition, structure, and function of bacterial communities in shallow lakes undergoing brownification. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and Jensen‒Shannon distance typing analysis both indicated significant differences in bacterial communities between forest lakes and urban lakes. The α diversity of bacterial communities in urban lakes increased with the degree of brownification. However, whether forest lakes or urban lakes, brownification increased the abundance of carbon cycling-related bacterial phyla (Proteobacteria, Poribacteria, and Chloroflexi) and nitrogen cycling-related bacterial genera (Microbacteriaceae, Limnohabitans, Comamonadaceae, Bacillus, and Rhizobiales_Incertae_Sedis). Additionally, the carbon and nitrogen cycling functions of bacterial communities in forest lakes are dominant, while those in urban lakes are dominated by functions related to light. Our study has preliminarily revealed that lake brownification promotes the growth of carbon and nitrogen cycling microorganisms, providing a new paradigm for understanding the response of lake ecosystems in different catchment areas to environmental changes and the carbon and nitrogen cycling processes in shallow lake ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzi Xing
- College of Water Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Lirong Cheng
- College of Water Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Lei Zheng
- College of Water Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Haoming Wu
- College of Water Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Qiuyang Tan
- College of Water Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Xue Wang
- College of Water Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Qi Tian
- College of Water Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
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2
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Moon YL, Kim KH, Park JS. Chengkuizengella axinellae sp. nov., a symbiotic bacterium isolated from a marine sponge of the genus Axinella. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2024; 117:106. [PMID: 39060616 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-024-01998-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
A Gram-stain-positive, strictly aerobic, creamy-white colored, endospore-forming and non-motile rods strain, designated as strain 2205SS18-9T, was isolated from a marine sponge, Axinella sp. collected from Seopseom Island, Republic of Korea. Optimal growth of strain 2205SS18-9T was observed at 25-30 °C, pH 6.5-7.0, and in the presence of 3.0% (w/v) NaCl. Cells were oxidase-positive and catalase-negative. Negative for nitrate reduction and indole production. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences revealed that strain 2205SS18-9T formed a distinct phyletic lineage in the genus Chengkuizengella, and it was most closely related to Chengkuizengella marina YPA3-1-1T and Chengkuizengella sediminis J15A17T with 97.1 and 96.6% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, respectively. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain 2205SS18-9T and Chengkuizengella marina YPA3-1-1T were 79.0 and 21.6%, respectively. The genomic DNA G + C content was 34.1%. The genome harbors a number of host-adhesion and transporter genes, suggested that strain 2205SS18-9T may interact with its sponge host as a symbiont. Menaquinone-7 was the sole isoprenoid quinone and antieiso-C15:0 (28.5%), iso-C16:0 (25.8%), C16:1 ω7c alcohol (15.0%), and iso-C15:0 (11.2%) were detected as the major fatty acids. Polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminophospholipids, and an unidentified lipid. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained lysine, alanine, glutamate, and aspartate. Based on these analyses, strain 2205SS18-9T represents a novel species of the genus Chengkuizengella, for which the name Chengkuizengella axinellae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2205SS18-9T (= KACC 23238T = LMG 33063T).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yea-Lin Moon
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Hannam University, 1646,Yuseong-Daero, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34430, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Hyun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Hannam University, 1646,Yuseong-Daero, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34430, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Sook Park
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Hannam University, 1646,Yuseong-Daero, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34430, Republic of Korea.
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3
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O'Brien PA, Tan S, Frade PR, Robbins SJ, Engelberts JP, Bell SC, Vanwonterghem I, Miller DJ, Webster NS, Zhang G, Bourne DG. Validation of key sponge symbiont pathways using genome-centric metatranscriptomics. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:3207-3224. [PMID: 37732569 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
The sponge microbiome underpins host function through provision and recycling of essential nutrients in a nutrient poor environment. Genomic data suggest that carbohydrate degradation, carbon fixation, nitrogen metabolism, sulphur metabolism and supplementation of B-vitamins are central microbial functions. However, validation beyond the genomic potential of sponge symbiont pathways is rarely explored. To evaluate metagenomic predictions, we sequenced the metagenomes and metatranscriptomes of three common coral reef sponges: Ircinia ramosa, Ircinia microconulosa and Phyllospongia foliascens. Multiple carbohydrate active enzymes were expressed by Poribacteria, Bacteroidota and Cyanobacteria symbionts, suggesting these lineages have a central role in assimilating dissolved organic matter. Expression of entire pathways for carbon fixation and multiple sulphur compound transformations were observed in all sponges. Gene expression for anaerobic nitrogen metabolism (denitrification and nitrate reduction) were more common than aerobic metabolism (nitrification), where only the I. ramosa microbiome expressed the nitrification pathway. Finally, while expression of the biosynthetic pathways for B-vitamins was common, the expression of additional transporter genes was far more limited. Overall, we highlight consistencies and disparities between metagenomic and metatranscriptomic results when inferring microbial activity, while uncovering new microbial taxa that contribute to the health of their sponge host via nutrient exchange.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A O'Brien
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- AIMS@JCU, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Shangjin Tan
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Steven J Robbins
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - J Pamela Engelberts
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Centre for Microbiome Research, Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sara C Bell
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Inka Vanwonterghem
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - David J Miller
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicole S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- AIMS@JCU, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, Kingston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Guojie Zhang
- Centre for Evolutionary & Organismal Biology and Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - David G Bourne
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- AIMS@JCU, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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4
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Gavriilidou A, Avcı B, Galani A, Schorn MA, Ingham CJ, Ettema TJG, Smidt H, Sipkema D. Candidatus Nemesobacterales is a sponge-specific clade of the candidate phylum Desulfobacterota adapted to a symbiotic lifestyle. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1808-1818. [PMID: 37587369 PMCID: PMC10579324 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01484-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Members of the candidate phylum Dadabacteria, recently reassigned to the phylum Candidatus Desulfobacterota, are cosmopolitan in the marine environment found both free-living and associated with hosts that are mainly marine sponges. Yet, these microorganisms are poorly characterized, with no cultured representatives and an ambiguous phylogenetic position in the tree of life. Here, we performed genome-centric metagenomics to elucidate their phylogenomic placement and predict the metabolism of the sponge-associated members of this lineage. Rank-based phylogenomics revealed several new species and a novel family (Candidatus Spongomicrobiaceae) within a sponge-specific order, named here Candidatus Nemesobacterales. Metabolic reconstruction suggests that Ca. Nemesobacterales are aerobic heterotrophs, capable of synthesizing most amino acids, vitamins and cofactors and degrading complex carbohydrates. We also report functional divergence between sponge- and seawater-associated metagenome-assembled genomes. Niche-specific adaptations to the sponge holobiont were evident from significantly enriched genes involved in defense mechanisms against foreign DNA and environmental stressors, host-symbiont interactions and secondary metabolite production. Fluorescence in situ hybridization gave a first glimpse of the morphology and lifestyle of a member of Ca. Desulfobacterota. Candidatus Nemesobacterales spp. were found both inside sponge cells centred around sponge nuclei and in the mesohyl of the sponge Geodia barretti. This study sheds light on the enigmatic group Ca. Nemesobacterales and their functional characteristics that reflect a symbiotic lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asimenia Gavriilidou
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Burak Avcı
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anastasia Galani
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Michelle A Schorn
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Colin J Ingham
- Hoekmine BV, Verenigingstraat 36, 3515GJ, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Thijs J G Ettema
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hauke Smidt
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Detmer Sipkema
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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5
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Džunková M, La Clair JJ, Tyml T, Doud D, Schulz F, Piquer-Esteban S, Porcel Sanchis D, Osborn A, Robinson D, Louie KB, Bowen BP, Bowers RM, Lee J, Arnau V, Díaz-Villanueva W, Stepanauskas R, Gosliner T, Date SV, Northen TR, Cheng JF, Burkart MD, Woyke T. Synthase-selected sorting approach identifies a beta-lactone synthase in a nudibranch symbiotic bacterium. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:130. [PMID: 37312139 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01560-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nudibranchs comprise a group of > 6000 marine soft-bodied mollusk species known to use secondary metabolites (natural products) for chemical defense. The full diversity of these metabolites and whether symbiotic microbes are responsible for their synthesis remains unexplored. Another issue in searching for undiscovered natural products is that computational analysis of genomes of uncultured microbes can result in detection of novel biosynthetic gene clusters; however, their in vivo functionality is not guaranteed which limits further exploration of their pharmaceutical or industrial potential. To overcome these challenges, we used a fluorescent pantetheine probe, which produces a fluorescent CoA-analog employed in biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, to label and capture bacterial symbionts actively producing these compounds in the mantle of the nudibranch Doriopsilla fulva. RESULTS We recovered the genome of Candidatus Doriopsillibacter californiensis from the Ca. Tethybacterales order, an uncultured lineage of sponge symbionts not found in nudibranchs previously. It forms part of the core skin microbiome of D. fulva and is nearly absent in its internal organs. We showed that crude extracts of D. fulva contained secondary metabolites that were consistent with the presence of a beta-lactone encoded in Ca. D. californiensis genome. Beta-lactones represent an underexplored group of secondary metabolites with pharmaceutical potential that have not been reported in nudibranchs previously. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, this study shows how probe-based, targeted sorting approaches can capture bacterial symbionts producing secondary metabolites in vivo. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mária Džunková
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, University of Valencia and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain.
| | - James J La Clair
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Tomáš Tyml
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Molecular Biophysics & Integrated Bioimaging, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Laboratory for Research in Complex Systems, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Devin Doud
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Frederik Schulz
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Samuel Piquer-Esteban
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, University of Valencia and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | - Dafne Porcel Sanchis
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, University of Valencia and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | - Andrew Osborn
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - David Robinson
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Katherine B Louie
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ben P Bowen
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Robert M Bowers
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Janey Lee
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Vicente Arnau
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, University of Valencia and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
- Foundation for the Promotion of Sanitary and Biomedical Research of the Valencian Community (FISABIO), Valencia, Spain
| | - Wladimiro Díaz-Villanueva
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, University of Valencia and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
- Foundation for the Promotion of Sanitary and Biomedical Research of the Valencian Community (FISABIO), Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | - Shailesh V Date
- Laboratory for Research in Complex Systems, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Trent R Northen
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jan-Fang Cheng
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Michael D Burkart
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Tanja Woyke
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- University of California Merced, Life and Environmental Sciences, Merced, CA, USA.
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6
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Nguyen VH, Wemheuer B, Song W, Bennett H, Palladino G, Burgsdorf I, Sizikov S, Steindler L, Webster NS, Thomas T. Functional characterization and taxonomic classification of novel gammaproteobacterial diversity in sponges. Syst Appl Microbiol 2023; 46:126401. [PMID: 36774720 DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2023.126401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Sponges harbour exceptionally diverse microbial communities, whose members are largely uncultured. The class Gammaproteobacteria often dominates the microbial communities of various sponge species, but most of its diversity remains functional and taxonomically uncharacterised. Here we reconstructed and characterised 32 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) derived from three sponge species. These MAGs represent ten novel species and belong to seven orders, of which one is new. We propose nomenclature for all these taxa. These new species comprise sponge-specific bacteria with varying levels of host specificity. Functional gene profiling highlights significant differences in metabolic capabilities across the ten species, though each also often exhibited a large degree of metabolic diversity involving various nitrogen- and sulfur-based compounds. The genomic features of the ten species suggest they have evolved to form symbiotic interaction with their hosts or are well-adapted to survive within the sponge environment. These Gammaproteobacteria are proposed to scavenge substrates from the host environment, including metabolites or cellular components of the sponge. Their diverse metabolic capabilities may allow for efficient cycling of organic matter in the sponge environment, potentially to the benefit of the host and other symbionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viet Hung Nguyen
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bernd Wemheuer
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Weizhi Song
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Holly Bennett
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand
| | - Giorgia Palladino
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Unit of Microbiome Science and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Nicole S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Torsten Thomas
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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7
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Ramírez GA, Bar-Shalom R, Furlan A, Romeo R, Gavagnin M, Calabrese G, Garber AI, Steindler L. Bacterial aerobic methane cycling by the marine sponge-associated microbiome. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:49. [PMID: 36899421 PMCID: PMC9999580 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01467-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methanotrophy by the sponge-hosted microbiome has been mainly reported in the ecological context of deep-sea hydrocarbon seep niches where methane is either produced geothermically or via anaerobic methanogenic archaea inhabiting the sulfate-depleted sediments. However, methane-oxidizing bacteria from the candidate phylum Binatota have recently been described and shown to be present in oxic shallow-water marine sponges, where sources of methane remain undescribed. RESULTS Here, using an integrative -omics approach, we provide evidence for sponge-hosted bacterial methane synthesis occurring in fully oxygenated shallow-water habitats. Specifically, we suggest methane generation occurs via at least two independent pathways involving methylamine and methylphosphonate transformations that, concomitantly to aerobic methane production, generate bioavailable nitrogen and phosphate, respectively. Methylphosphonate may be sourced from seawater continuously filtered by the sponge host. Methylamines may also be externally sourced or, alternatively, generated by a multi-step metabolic process where carnitine, derived from sponge cell debris, is transformed to methylamine by different sponge-hosted microbial lineages. Finally, methanotrophs specialized in pigment production, affiliated to the phylum Binatota, may provide a photoprotective function, closing a previously undescribed C1-metabolic loop that involves both the sponge host and specific members of the associated microbial community. CONCLUSION Given the global distribution of this ancient animal lineage and their remarkable water filtration activity, sponge-hosted methane cycling may affect methane supersaturation in oxic coastal environments. Depending on the net balance between methane production and consumption, sponges may serve as marine sources or sinks of this potent greenhouse gas. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo A Ramírez
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel
- Present address: Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rinat Bar-Shalom
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel
| | - Andrea Furlan
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel
| | - Roberto Romeo
- Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale, Trieste, Italy
| | - Michelle Gavagnin
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel
| | - Gianluca Calabrese
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel
| | - Arkadiy I Garber
- School of Life Science, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Laura Steindler
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel.
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8
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Engelberts JP, Robbins SJ, Herbold CW, Moeller FU, Jehmlich N, Laffy PW, Wagner M, Webster NS. Metabolic reconstruction of the near complete microbiome of the model sponge Ianthella basta. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:646-660. [PMID: 36480164 PMCID: PMC10947273 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Many marine sponges host highly diverse microbiomes that contribute to various aspects of host health. Although the putative function of individual groups of sponge symbionts has been increasingly described, the extreme diversity has generally precluded in-depth characterization of entire microbiomes, including identification of syntrophic partnerships. The Indo-Pacific sponge Ianthella basta is emerging as a model organism for symbiosis research, hosting only three dominant symbionts: a Thaumarchaeotum, a Gammaproteobacterium, and an Alphaproteobacterium and a range of other low abundance or transitory taxa. Here, we retrieved metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) representing >90% of I. basta's microbial community, facilitating the metabolic reconstruction of the sponge's near complete microbiome. Through this analysis, we identified metabolic complementarity between microbes, including vitamin sharing, described the importance of low abundance symbionts, and characterized a novel microbe-host attachment mechanism in the Alphaproteobacterium. We further identified putative viral sequences, highlighting the role viruses can play in maintaining symbioses in I. basta through the horizontal transfer of eukaryotic-like proteins, and complemented this data with metaproteomics to identify active metabolic pathways in bacteria, archaea, and viruses. This data provide the framework to adopt I. basta as a model organism for studying host-microbe interactions and provide a basis for in-depth physiological experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Pamela Engelberts
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular BiosciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Steven J. Robbins
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular BiosciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Craig W. Herbold
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial EcologyUniversity of ViennaAustria
| | - Florian U. Moeller
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial EcologyUniversity of ViennaAustria
| | - Nico Jehmlich
- Department of Molecular Systems BiologyHelmholtz‐Centre for Environmental Research – UFZLeipzigGermany
| | - Patrick W. Laffy
- Australian Institute of Marine ScienceTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Michael Wagner
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial EcologyUniversity of ViennaAustria
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and BioscienceAalborg UniversityAalborgDenmark
| | - Nicole S. Webster
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular BiosciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
- Australian Institute of Marine ScienceTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- Australian Antarctic DivisionKingstonTasmaniaAustralia
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9
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Genomic diversity and biosynthetic capabilities of sponge-associated chlamydiae. THE ISME JOURNAL 2022; 16:2725-2740. [PMID: 36042324 PMCID: PMC9666466 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-022-01305-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sponge microbiomes contribute to host health, nutrition, and defense through the production of secondary metabolites. Chlamydiae, a phylum of obligate intracellular bacteria ranging from animal pathogens to endosymbionts of microbial eukaryotes, are frequently found associated with sponges. However, sponge-associated chlamydial diversity has not yet been investigated at the genomic level and host interactions thus far remain unexplored. Here, we sequenced the microbiomes of three sponge species and found high, though variable, Chlamydiae relative abundances of up to 18.7% of bacteria. Using genome-resolved metagenomics 18 high-quality sponge-associated chlamydial genomes were reconstructed, covering four chlamydial families. Among these, Candidatus Sororchlamydiaceae shares a common ancestor with Chlamydiaceae animal pathogens, suggesting long-term co-evolution with animals. Based on gene content, sponge-associated chlamydiae resemble members from the same family more than sponge-associated chlamydiae of other families, and have greater metabolic versatility than known chlamydial animal pathogens. Sponge-associated chlamydiae are also enriched in genes for degrading diverse compounds found in sponges. Unexpectedly, we identified widespread genetic potential for secondary metabolite biosynthesis across Chlamydiae, which may represent an unexplored source of novel natural products. This finding suggests that Chlamydiae members may partake in defensive symbioses and that secondary metabolites play a wider role in mediating intracellular interactions. Furthermore, sponge-associated chlamydiae relatives were found in other marine invertebrates, pointing towards wider impacts of the Chlamydiae phylum on marine ecosystems.
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10
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Denitrification in foraminifera has an ancient origin and is complemented by associated bacteria. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2200198119. [PMID: 35704763 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2200198119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Benthic foraminifera are unicellular eukaryotes that inhabit sediments of aquatic environments. Several foraminifera of the order Rotaliida are known to store and use nitrate for denitrification, a unique energy metabolism among eukaryotes. The rotaliid Globobulimina spp. has been shown to encode an incomplete denitrification pathway of bacterial origin. However, the prevalence of denitrification genes in foraminifera remains unknown, and the missing denitrification pathway components are elusive. Analyzing transcriptomes and metagenomes of 10 foraminiferal species from the Peruvian oxygen minimum zone, we show that denitrification genes are highly conserved in foraminifera. We infer the last common ancestor of denitrifying foraminifera, which enables us to predict the ability to denitrify for additional foraminiferal species. Additionally, an examination of the foraminiferal microbiota reveals evidence for a stable interaction with Desulfobacteraceae, which harbor genes that complement the foraminiferal denitrification pathway. Our results provide evidence that foraminiferal denitrification is complemented by the foraminifera-associated microbiome. The interaction of foraminifera with their resident bacteria is at the basis of foraminiferal adaptation to anaerobic environments that manifested in ecological success in oxygen depleted habitats.
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11
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Giant sponge grounds of Central Arctic seamounts are associated with extinct seep life. Nat Commun 2022; 13:638. [PMID: 35136058 PMCID: PMC8826442 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28129-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The Central Arctic Ocean is one of the most oligotrophic oceans on Earth because of its sea-ice cover and short productive season. Nonetheless, across the peaks of extinct volcanic seamounts of the Langseth Ridge (87°N, 61°E), we observe a surprisingly dense benthic biomass. Bacteriosponges are the most abundant fauna within this community, with a mass of 460 g C m−2 and an estimated carbon demand of around 110 g C m−2 yr−1, despite export fluxes from regional primary productivity only sufficient to provide <1% of this required carbon. Observed sponge distribution, bulk and compound-specific isotope data of fatty acids suggest that the sponge microbiome taps into refractory dissolved and particulate organic matter, including remnants of an extinct seep community. The metabolic profile of bacteriosponge fatty acids and expressed genes indicate that autotrophic symbionts contribute significantly to carbon assimilation. We suggest that this hotspot ecosystem is unique to the Central Arctic and associated with extinct seep biota, once fueled by degassing of the volcanic mounts. This study reports the discovery of dense sponge gardens across the peaks of permanently ice-covered, extinct volcanic seamounts of the Langseth Ridge and on the remnants of a now extinct seep ecosystem. Using approaches to sample and infer food and energy sources to this ice-covered community, the authors suggest that the sponges use refractory organic matter trapped in the extinct seep community on which they sit.
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12
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Taxon-Specific Shifts in Bacterial and Archaeal Transcription of Dissolved Organic Matter Cycling Genes in a Stratified Fjord. mSystems 2021; 6:e0057521. [PMID: 34904860 PMCID: PMC8670421 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00575-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A considerable fraction of organic matter derived from photosynthesis in the euphotic zone settles into the ocean’s interior and, as it progresses, is degraded by diverse microbial consortia that utilize a suite of extracellular enzymes and membrane transporters. Still, the molecular details that regulate carbon cycling across depths remain little explored. As stratification in fjords has made them attractive models to explore patterns in biological oceanography, we here analyzed bacterial and archaeal transcription in samples from five depth layers in the Gullmar Fjord, Sweden. Transcriptional variation over depth correlated with gradients in chlorophyll a and nutrient concentrations. Differences in transcription between sampling dates (summer and early autumn) were strongly correlated with ammonium concentrations, which potentially was linked with a stronger influence of (micro-)zooplankton grazing in summer. Transcriptional investment in carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) decreased with depth and shifted toward peptidases, partly a result of elevated CAZyme transcription by Flavobacteriales, Cellvibrionales, and Synechococcales at 2 to 25 m and a dominance of peptidase transcription by Alteromonadales and Rhodobacterales from 50 m down. In particular, CAZymes for chitin, laminarin, and glycogen were important. High levels of transcription of ammonium transporter genes by Thaumarchaeota at depth (up to 18% of total transcription), along with the genes for ammonia oxidation and CO2 fixation, indicated that chemolithoautotrophy contributed to the carbon flux in the fjord. The taxon-specific expression of functional genes for processing of the marine pool of dissolved organic matter and inorganic nutrients across depths emphasizes the importance of different microbial foraging mechanisms over spatiotemporal scales for shaping biogeochemical cycles. IMPORTANCE It is generally recognized that stratification in the ocean strongly influences both the community composition and the distribution of ecological functions of microbial communities, which in turn are expected to shape the biogeochemical cycling of essential elements over depth. Here, we used metatranscriptomics analysis to infer molecular detail on the distribution of gene systems central to the utilization of organic matter in a stratified marine system. We thereby uncovered that pronounced shifts in the transcription of genes encoding CAZymes, peptidases, and membrane transporters occurred over depth among key prokaryotic orders. This implies that sequential utilization and transformation of organic matter through the water column is a key feature that ultimately influences the efficiency of the biological carbon pump.
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13
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de Oliveira BFR, Lopes IR, Canellas ALB, Muricy G, Jackson SA, Dobson ADW, Laport MS. Genomic and in silico protein structural analyses provide insights into marine polysaccharide-degrading enzymes in the sponge-derived Pseudoalteromonas sp. PA2MD11. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 191:973-995. [PMID: 34555402 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.09.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Active heterotrophic metabolism is a critical metabolic role performed by sponge-associated microorganisms, but little is known about their capacity to metabolize marine polysaccharides (MPs). Here, we investigated the genome of the sponge-derived Pseudoalteromonas sp. strain PA2MD11 focusing on its macroalgal carbohydrate-degrading potential. Carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) for the depolymerization of agar and alginate were found in PA2MD11's genome, including glycoside hydrolases (GHs) and polysaccharide lyases (PLs) belonging to families GH16, GH50 and GH117, and PL6 and PL17, respectively. A gene potentially encoding a sulfatase was also identified, which may play a role in the strain's ability to consume carrageenans. The complete metabolism of agar and alginate by PA2MD11 could also be predicted and was consistent with the results obtained in physiological assays. The polysaccharide utilization locus (PUL) potentially involved in the metabolism of agarose contained mobile genetic elements from other marine Gammaproteobacteria and its unusual larger size might be due to gene duplication events. Homology modelling and structural protein analyses of the agarases, alginate lyases and sulfatase depicted clear conservation of catalytic machinery and protein folding together with suitable industrially-relevant features. Pseudoalteromonas sp. PA2MD11 is therefore a source of potential MP-degrading biocatalysts for biorefinery applications and in the preparation of pharmacologically-active oligosaccharides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Cidade Universitária, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; School of Microbiology, University College Cork, T12 Y960 Cork, Ireland
| | - Isabelle Rodrigues Lopes
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Cidade Universitária, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Anna Luiza Bauer Canellas
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Cidade Universitária, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Muricy
- Departamento de Invertebrados, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista, s/n°, São Cristóvão, 20940-040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Stephen Anthony Jackson
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, T12 Y960 Cork, Ireland; Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, T23 XE10 Cork, Ireland
| | - Alan D W Dobson
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, T12 Y960 Cork, Ireland; Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, T23 XE10 Cork, Ireland
| | - Marinella Silva Laport
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Cidade Universitária, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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14
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Waterworth SC, Parker-Nance S, Kwan JC, Dorrington RA. Comparative Genomics Provides Insight into the Function of Broad-Host Range Sponge Symbionts. mBio 2021; 12:e0157721. [PMID: 34519538 PMCID: PMC8546597 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01577-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The fossil record indicates that the earliest evidence of extant marine sponges (phylum Porifera) existed during the Cambrian explosion and that their symbiosis with microbes may have begun in their extinct ancestors during the Precambrian period. Many symbionts have adapted to their sponge host, where they perform specific, specialized functions. There are also widely distributed bacterial taxa such as Poribacteria, SAUL, and Tethybacterales that are found in a broad range of invertebrate hosts. Here, we added 11 new genomes to the Tethybacterales order, identified a novel family, and show that functional potential differs between the three Tethybacterales families. We compare the Tethybacterales with the well-characterized Entoporibacteria and show that these symbionts appear to preferentially associate with low-microbial abundance (LMA) and high-microbial abundance (HMA) sponges, respectively. Within these sponges, we show that these symbionts likely perform distinct functions and may have undergone multiple association events, rather than a single association event followed by coevolution. IMPORTANCE Marine sponges often form symbiotic relationships with bacteria that fulfil a specific need within the sponge holobiont, and these symbionts are often conserved within a narrow range of related taxa. To date, there exist only three known bacterial taxa (Entoporibacteria, SAUL, and Tethybacterales) that are globally distributed and found in a broad range of sponge hosts, and little is known about the latter two. We show that the functional potential of broad-host range symbionts is conserved at a family level and that these symbionts have been acquired several times over evolutionary history. Finally, it appears that the Entoporibacteria are associated primarily with high-microbial abundance sponges, while the Tethybacterales associate with low-microbial abundance sponges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha C. Waterworth
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Shirley Parker-Nance
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
- South African Environmental Observation Network, Elwandle Coastal Node, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa
| | - Jason C. Kwan
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Rosemary A. Dorrington
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda, South Africa
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15
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Campana S, Busch K, Hentschel U, Muyzer G, de Goeij JM. DNA-stable isotope probing (DNA-SIP) identifies marine sponge-associated bacteria actively utilizing dissolved organic matter (DOM). Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:4489-4504. [PMID: 34159693 PMCID: PMC8453545 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Sponges possess exceptionally diverse associated microbial communities and play a major role in (re)cycling of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in marine ecosystems. Linking sponge-associated community structure with DOM utilization is essential to understand host-microbe interactions in the uptake, processing, and exchange of resources. We coupled, for the first time, DNA-stable isotope probing (DNA-SIP) with 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing in a sponge holobiont to identify which symbiotic bacterial taxa are metabolically active in DOM uptake. Parallel incubation experiments with the sponge Plakortis angulospiculatus were amended with equimolar quantities of unlabelled (12 C) and labelled (13 C) DOM. Seven bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), belonging to the phyla PAUC34f, Proteobacteria, Poribacteria, Nitrospirae, and Chloroflexi, were identified as the first active consumers of DOM. Our results support the predictions that PAUC34f, Poribacteria, and Chloroflexi are capable of organic matter degradation through heterotrophic carbon metabolism, while Nitrospirae may have a potential mixotrophic metabolism. We present a new analytical application of DNA-SIP to detect substrate incorporation into a marine holobiont with a complex associated bacterial community and provide new experimental evidence that links the identity of diverse sponge-associated bacteria to the consumption of DOM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Campana
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94240, 1090 GE Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Kathrin Busch
- Department of Marine Ecology, Research Unit Marine Symbioses, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Ute Hentschel
- Department of Marine Ecology, Research Unit Marine Symbioses, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Gerard Muyzer
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94240, 1090 GE Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jasper M de Goeij
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94240, 1090 GE Amsterdam, Netherlands.,CARMABI Foundation, Piscaderabaai z/n, P.O. Box 2090, Willemstad, Curaçao
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16
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Moreno-Pino M, Ugalde JA, Valdés JH, Rodríguez-Marconi S, Parada-Pozo G, Trefault N. Bacteria Isolated From the Antarctic Sponge Iophon sp. Reveals Mechanisms of Symbiosis in Sporosarcina, Cellulophaga, and Nesterenkonia. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:660779. [PMID: 34177840 PMCID: PMC8222686 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.660779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antarctic sponges harbor a diverse range of microorganisms that perform unique metabolic functions for nutrient cycles. Understanding how microorganisms establish functional sponge-microbe interactions in the Antarctic marine ecosystem provides clues about the success of these ancient animals in this realm. Here, we use a culture-dependent approach and genome sequencing to investigate the molecular determinants that promote a dual lifestyle in three bacterial genera Sporosarcina, Cellulophaga, and Nesterenkonia. Phylogenomic analyses showed that four sponge-associated isolates represent putative novel bacterial species within the Sporosarcina and Nesterenkonia genera and that the fifth bacterial isolate corresponds to Cellulophaga algicola. We inferred that isolated sponge-associated bacteria inhabit similarly marine sponges and also seawater. Comparative genomics revealed that these sponge-associated bacteria are enriched in symbiotic lifestyle-related genes. Specific adaptations related to the cold Antarctic environment are features of the bacterial strains isolated here. Furthermore, we showed evidence that the vitamin B5 synthesis-related gene, panE from Nesterenkonia E16_7 and E16_10, was laterally transferred within Actinobacteria members. Together, these findings indicate that the genomes of sponge-associated strains differ from other related genomes based on mechanisms that may contribute to the life in association with sponges and the extreme conditions of the Antarctic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Moreno-Pino
- GEMA Center for Genomics, Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan A. Ugalde
- Millennium Initiative for Collaborative Research on Bacterial Resistance (MICROB-R), Santiago, Chile
| | - Jorge H. Valdés
- Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
| | - Susana Rodríguez-Marconi
- GEMA Center for Genomics, Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
| | - Génesis Parada-Pozo
- GEMA Center for Genomics, Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nicole Trefault
- GEMA Center for Genomics, Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
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17
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Robbins SJ, Song W, Engelberts JP, Glasl B, Slaby BM, Boyd J, Marangon E, Botté ES, Laffy P, Thomas T, Webster NS. A genomic view of the microbiome of coral reef demosponges. THE ISME JOURNAL 2021; 15:1641-1654. [PMID: 33469166 PMCID: PMC8163846 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-00876-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Sponges underpin the productivity of coral reefs, yet few of their microbial symbionts have been functionally characterised. Here we present an analysis of ~1200 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) spanning seven sponge species and 25 microbial phyla. Compared to MAGs derived from reef seawater, sponge-associated MAGs were enriched in glycosyl hydrolases targeting components of sponge tissue, coral mucus and macroalgae, revealing a critical role for sponge symbionts in cycling reef organic matter. Further, visualisation of the distribution of these genes amongst symbiont taxa uncovered functional guilds for reef organic matter degradation. Genes for the utilisation of sialic acids and glycosaminoglycans present in sponge tissue were found in specific microbial lineages that also encoded genes for attachment to sponge-derived fibronectins and cadherins, suggesting these lineages can utilise specific structural elements of sponge tissue. Further, genes encoding CRISPR and restriction-modification systems used in defence against mobile genetic elements were enriched in sponge symbionts, along with eukaryote-like gene motifs thought to be involved in maintaining host association. Finally, we provide evidence that many of these sponge-enriched genes are laterally transferred between microbial taxa, suggesting they confer a selective advantage within the sponge niche and therefore play a critical role in host ecology and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Robbins
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - W Song
- Centre for Marine Science & Innovation, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - J P Engelberts
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - B Glasl
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - B M Slaby
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - J Boyd
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - E Marangon
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - E S Botté
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - P Laffy
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - T Thomas
- Centre for Marine Science & Innovation, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - N S Webster
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia.
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18
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Freitas-Silva J, de Oliveira BFR, Vigoder FDM, Muricy G, Dobson ADW, Laport MS. Peeling the Layers Away: The Genomic Characterization of Bacillus pumilus 64-1, an Isolate With Antimicrobial Activity From the Marine Sponge Plakina cyanorosea (Porifera, Homoscleromorpha). Front Microbiol 2021; 11:592735. [PMID: 33488540 PMCID: PMC7820076 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.592735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus pumilus 64-1, a bacterial strain isolated from the marine sponge Plakina cyanorosea, which exhibits antimicrobial activity against both pathogenic and drug-resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. This study aimed to conduct an in-depth genomic analysis of this bioactive sponge-derived strain. The nearly complete genome of strain 64-1 consists of 3.6 Mbp (41.5% GC), which includes 3,705 coding sequences (CDS). An open pangenome was observed when limiting to the type strains of the B. pumilus group and aquatic-derived B. pumilus representatives. The genome appears to encode for at least 12 potential biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), including both types I and III polyketide synthases (PKS), non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS), and one NRPS-T1PKS hybrid, among others. In particular, bacilysin and other bacteriocin-coding genes were found and may be associated with the detected antimicrobial activity. Strain 64-1 also appears to possess a broad repertoire of genes encoding for plant cell wall-degrading carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). A myriad of genes which may be involved in various process required by the strain in its marine habitat, such as those encoding for osmoprotectory transport systems and the biosynthesis of compatible solutes were also present. Several heavy metal tolerance genes are also present, together with various mobile elements including a region encoding for a type III-B Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) region, four prophage segments and transposase elements. This is the first report on the genomic characterization of a cultivable bacterial member of the Plakina cyanorosea holobiont.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssyca Freitas-Silva
- Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Felipe de Mello Vigoder
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Muricy
- Department of Invertebrates, National Museum, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alan D W Dobson
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Marinella Silva Laport
- Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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19
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Abstract
The Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas (EMP) and Entner–Doudoroff (ED) pathways are considered the most abundant catabolic pathways found in microorganisms, and ED enzymes have been shown to also be widespread in cyanobacteria, algae and plants. In a large number of organisms, especially common strains used in molecular biology, these pathways account for the catabolism of glucose. The existence of pathways for other carbohydrates that are relevant to biomass utilization has been recognized as new strains have been characterized among thermophilic bacteria and Archaea that are able to transform simple polysaccharides from biomass to more complex and potentially valuable precursors for industrial microbiology. Many of the variants of the ED pathway have the key dehydratase enzyme involved in the oxidation of sugar derived from different families such as the enolase, IlvD/EDD and xylose-isomerase-like superfamilies. There are the variations in structure of proteins that have the same specificity and generally greater-than-expected substrate promiscuity. Typical biomass lignocellulose has an abundance of xylan, and four different pathways have been described, which include the Weimberg and Dahms pathways initially oxidizing xylose to xylono-gamma-lactone/xylonic acid, as well as the major xylose isomerase pathway. The recent realization that xylan constitutes a large proportion of biomass has generated interest in exploiting the compound for value-added precursors, but few chassis microorganisms can grow on xylose. Arabinose is part of lignocellulose biomass and can be metabolized with similar pathways to xylose, as well as an oxidative pathway. Like enzymes in many non-phosphorylative carbohydrate pathways, enzymes involved in L-arabinose pathways from bacteria and Archaea show metabolic and substrate promiscuity. A similar multiplicity of pathways was observed for other biomass-derived sugars such as L-rhamnose and L-fucose, but D-mannose appears to be distinct in that a non-phosphorylative version of the ED pathway has not been reported. Many bacteria and Archaea are able to grow on mannose but, as with other minor sugars, much of the information has been derived from whole cell studies with additional enzyme proteins being incorporated, and so far, only one synthetic pathway has been described. There appears to be a need for further discovery studies to clarify the general ability of many microorganisms to grow on the rarer sugars, as well as evaluation of the many gene copies displayed by marine bacteria.
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20
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Phylogeny resolved, metabolism revealed: functional radiation within a widespread and divergent clade of sponge symbionts. ISME JOURNAL 2020; 15:503-519. [PMID: 33011742 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-00791-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The symbiosis between bacteria and sponges has arguably the longest evolutionary history for any extant metazoan lineage, yet little is known about bacterial evolution or adaptation in this process. An example of often dominant and widespread bacterial symbionts of sponges is a clade of uncultured and uncharacterised Proteobacteria. Here we set out to characterise this group using metagenomics, in-depth phylogenetic analyses, metatranscriptomics, and fluorescence in situ hybridisation microscopy. We obtained five metagenome-assembled-genomes (MAGs) from different sponge species that, together with a previously published MAG (AqS2), comprise two families within a new gammaproteobacterial order that we named UTethybacterales. Members of this order share a heterotrophic lifestyle but vary in their predicted ability to use various carbon, nitrogen and sulfur sources, including taurine, spermidine and dimethylsulfoniopropionate. The deep branching of the UTethybacterales within the Gammaproteobacteria and their almost exclusive presence in sponges suggests they have entered a symbiosis with their host relatively early in evolutionary time and have subsequently functionally radiated. This is reflected in quite distinct lifestyles of various species of UTethybacterales, most notably their diverse morphologies, predicted substrate preferences, and localisation within the sponge tissue. This study provides new insight into the evolution of metazoan-bacteria symbiosis.
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21
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Rix L, Ribes M, Coma R, Jahn MT, de Goeij JM, van Oevelen D, Escrig S, Meibom A, Hentschel U. Heterotrophy in the earliest gut: a single-cell view of heterotrophic carbon and nitrogen assimilation in sponge-microbe symbioses. THE ISME JOURNAL 2020; 14:2554-2567. [PMID: 32601480 PMCID: PMC7490408 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-0706-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Sponges are the oldest known extant animal-microbe symbiosis. These ubiquitous benthic animals play an important role in marine ecosystems in the cycling of dissolved organic matter (DOM), the largest source of organic matter on Earth. The conventional view on DOM cycling through microbial processing has been challenged by the interaction between this efficient filter-feeding host and its diverse and abundant microbiome. Here we quantify, for the first time, the role of host cells and microbial symbionts in sponge heterotrophy. We combined stable isotope probing and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry to compare the processing of different sources of DOM (glucose, amino acids, algal-produced) and particulate organic matter (POM) by a high-microbial abundance (HMA) and low-microbial abundance (LMA) sponge with single-cell resolution. Contrary to common notion, we found that both microbial symbionts and host choanocyte (i.e. filter) cells and were active in DOM uptake. Although all DOM sources were assimilated by both sponges, higher microbial biomass in the HMA sponge corresponded to an increased capacity to process a greater variety of dissolved compounds. Nevertheless, in situ feeding data demonstrated that DOM was the primary carbon source for both the LMA and HMA sponge, accounting for ~90% of their heterotrophic diets. Microbes accounted for the majority (65-87%) of DOM assimilated by the HMA sponge (and ~60% of its total heterotrophic diet) but <5% in the LMA sponge. We propose that the evolutionary success of sponges is due to their different strategies to exploit the vast reservoir of DOM in the ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rix
- RD3 Marine Symbioses, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105, Kiel, Germany.
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Marta Ribes
- Department of Marine Biology and Oceanography, Institute of Marine Science, ICM-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafel Coma
- Department of Marine Ecology, Centre for Advanced Studies, CEAB-CSIC, Blanes, Spain
| | - Martin T Jahn
- RD3 Marine Symbioses, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jasper M de Goeij
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94248, 1090 GE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dick van Oevelen
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, and Utrecht University, PO Box 140, 4400 AC, Yerseke, The Netherlands
| | - Stéphane Escrig
- Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry, School of Architecture Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anders Meibom
- Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry, School of Architecture Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Advanced Surface Analysis, Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ute Hentschel
- RD3 Marine Symbioses, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105, Kiel, Germany
- Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel (CAU), Kiel, Germany
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22
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Sizikov S, Burgsdorf I, Handley KM, Lahyani M, Haber M, Steindler L. Characterization of sponge-associated Verrucomicrobia: microcompartment-based sugar utilization and enhanced toxin-antitoxin modules as features of host-associated Opitutales. Environ Microbiol 2020; 22:4669-4688. [PMID: 32840024 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria of the phylum Verrucomicrobia are ubiquitous in marine environments and can be found as free-living organisms or as symbionts of eukaryotic hosts. Little is known about host-associated Verrucomicrobia in the marine environment. Here we reconstructed two genomes of symbiotic Verrucomicrobia from bacterial metagenomes derived from the Atlanto-Mediterranean sponge Petrosia ficiformis and three genomes from strains that we isolated from offshore seawater of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Phylogenomic analysis of these five strains indicated that they are all members of Verrucomicrobia subdivision 4, order Opitutales. We compared these novel sponge-associated and seawater-isolated genomes to closely related Verrucomicrobia. Genomic analysis revealed that Planctomycetes-Verrucomicrobia microcompartment gene clusters are enriched in the genomes of symbiotic Opitutales including sponge symbionts but not in free-living ones. We hypothesize that in sponge symbionts these microcompartments are used for degradation of l-fucose and l-rhamnose, which are components of algal and bacterial cell walls and therefore may be found at high concentrations in the sponge tissue. Furthermore, we observed an enrichment of toxin-antitoxin modules in symbiotic Opitutales. We suggest that, in sponges, verrucomicrobial symbionts utilize these modules as a defence mechanism against antimicrobial activity deriving from the abundant microbial community co-inhabiting the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Sizikov
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ilia Burgsdorf
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Kim Marie Handley
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Matan Lahyani
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Markus Haber
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.,Department of Aquatic Microbial Ecology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre CAS, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Laura Steindler
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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23
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de Oliveira BFR, Carr CM, Dobson ADW, Laport MS. Harnessing the sponge microbiome for industrial biocatalysts. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:8131-8154. [PMID: 32827049 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10817-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Within the marine sphere, host-associated microbiomes are receiving growing attention as prolific sources of novel biocatalysts. Given the known biocatalytic potential of poriferan microbial inhabitants, this review focuses on enzymes from the sponge microbiome, with special attention on their relevant properties and the wide range of their potential biotechnological applications within various industries. Cultivable bacterial and filamentous fungal isolates account for the majority of the enzymatic sources. Hydrolases, mainly glycoside hydrolases and carboxylesterases, are the predominant reported group of enzymes, with varying degrees of tolerance to alkaline pH and growing salt concentrations being common. Prospective areas for the application of these microbial enzymes include biorefinery, detergent, food and effluent treatment industries. Finally, alternative strategies to identify novel biocatalysts from the sponge microbiome are addressed, with an emphasis on modern -omics-based approaches that are currently available in the enzyme research arena. By providing this current overview of the field, we hope to not only increase the appetite of researchers to instigate forthcoming studies but also to stress how basic and applied research can pave the way for new biocatalysts from these symbiotic microbial communities in a productive fashion. KEY POINTS: • The sponge microbiome is a burgeoning source of industrial biocatalysts. • Sponge microbial enzymes have useful habitat-related traits for several industries. • Strategies are provided for the future discovery of microbial enzymes from sponges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. .,School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Clodagh M Carr
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Alan D W Dobson
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Marinella Silva Laport
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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24
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Gavriilidou A, Gutleben J, Versluis D, Forgiarini F, van Passel MWJ, Ingham CJ, Smidt H, Sipkema D. Comparative genomic analysis of Flavobacteriaceae: insights into carbohydrate metabolism, gliding motility and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:569. [PMID: 32819293 PMCID: PMC7440613 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-06971-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Members of the bacterial family Flavobacteriaceae are widely distributed in the marine environment and often found associated with algae, fish, detritus or marine invertebrates. Yet, little is known about the characteristics that drive their ubiquity in diverse ecological niches. Here, we provide an overview of functional traits common to taxonomically diverse members of the family Flavobacteriaceae from different environmental sources, with a focus on the Marine clade. We include seven newly sequenced marine sponge-derived strains that were also tested for gliding motility and antimicrobial activity. RESULTS Comparative genomics revealed that genome similarities appeared to be correlated to 16S rRNA gene- and genome-based phylogeny, while differences were mostly associated with nutrient acquisition, such as carbohydrate metabolism and gliding motility. The high frequency and diversity of genes encoding polymer-degrading enzymes, often arranged in polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs), support the capacity of marine Flavobacteriaceae to utilize diverse carbon sources. Homologs of gliding proteins were widespread among all studied Flavobacteriaceae in contrast to members of other phyla, highlighting the particular presence of this feature within the Bacteroidetes. Notably, not all bacteria predicted to glide formed spreading colonies. Genome mining uncovered a diverse secondary metabolite biosynthesis arsenal of Flavobacteriaceae with high prevalence of gene clusters encoding pathways for the production of antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic compounds. Antimicrobial activity tests showed, however, that the phenotype differed from the genome-derived predictions for the seven tested strains. CONCLUSIONS Our study elucidates the functional repertoire of marine Flavobacteriaceae and highlights the need to combine genomic and experimental data while using the appropriate stimuli to unlock their uncharted metabolic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asimenia Gavriilidou
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna Gutleben
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis Versluis
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Francesca Forgiarini
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark W. J. van Passel
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Present address: Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, Parnassusplein 5, 2511 VX, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | | | - Hauke Smidt
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Detmer Sipkema
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
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25
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Bayer K, Busch K, Kenchington E, Beazley L, Franzenburg S, Michels J, Hentschel U, Slaby BM. Microbial Strategies for Survival in the Glass Sponge Vazella pourtalesii. mSystems 2020; 5:e00473-20. [PMID: 32788407 PMCID: PMC7426153 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00473-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Few studies have explored the microbiomes of glass sponges (Hexactinellida). The present study seeks to elucidate the composition of the microbiota associated with the glass sponge Vazella pourtalesii and the functional strategies of the main symbionts. We combined microscopic approaches with metagenome-guided microbial genome reconstruction and amplicon community profiling toward this goal. Microscopic imaging revealed that the host and microbial cells appeared within dense biomass patches that are presumably syncytial tissue aggregates. Based on abundances in amplicon libraries and metagenomic data, SAR324 bacteria, Crenarchaeota, Patescibacteria, and Nanoarchaeota were identified as abundant members of the V. pourtalesii microbiome; thus, their genomic potentials were analyzed in detail. A general pattern emerged in that the V. pourtalesii symbionts had very small genome sizes, in the range of 0.5 to 2.2 Mb, and low GC contents, even below those of seawater relatives. Based on functional analyses of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), we propose two major microbial strategies: the "givers," namely, Crenarchaeota and SAR324, heterotrophs and facultative anaerobes, produce and partly secrete all required amino acids and vitamins. The "takers," Nanoarchaeota and Patescibacteria, are anaerobes with reduced genomes that tap into the microbial community for resources, e.g., lipids and DNA, likely using pilus-like structures. We posit that the existence of microbial cells in sponge syncytia together with the low-oxygen conditions in the seawater environment are factors that shape the unique compositional and functional properties of the microbial community associated with V. pourtalesii IMPORTANCE We investigated the microbial community of V. pourtalesii that forms globally unique, monospecific sponge grounds under low-oxygen conditions on the Scotian Shelf, where it plays a key role in its vulnerable ecosystem. The microbial community was found to be concentrated within biomass patches and is dominated by small cells (<1 μm). MAG analyses showed consistently small genome sizes and low GC contents, which is unusual compared to known sponge symbionts. These properties, as well as the (facultatively) anaerobic metabolism and a high degree of interdependence between the dominant symbionts regarding amino acid and vitamin synthesis, are likely adaptations to the unique conditions within the syncytial tissue of their hexactinellid host and the low-oxygen environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Bayer
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD3 Marine Symbioses, Kiel, Germany
| | - Kathrin Busch
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD3 Marine Symbioses, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ellen Kenchington
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Lindsay Beazley
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Sören Franzenburg
- Institute for Clinical Molecular Biology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jan Michels
- Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Institute of Zoology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ute Hentschel
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD3 Marine Symbioses, Kiel, Germany
- Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Beate M Slaby
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD3 Marine Symbioses, Kiel, Germany
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26
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Xu T, Gong Y, Su X, Zhu P, Dai J, Xu J, Ma B. Phenome-Genome Profiling of Single Bacterial Cell by Raman-Activated Gravity-Driven Encapsulation and Sequencing. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e2001172. [PMID: 32519499 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202001172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The small size and low DNA amount of bacterial cells have hindered establishing phenome-genome links in a precisely indexed, one-cell-per-reaction manner. Here, Raman-Activated Gravity-driven single-cell Encapsulation and Sequencing (RAGE-Seq) is presented, where individual cells are phenotypically screened via single-cell Raman spectra (SCRS) in an aquatic, vitality-preserving environment, then the cell with targeted SCRS is precisely packaged in a picoliter microdroplet and readily exported in a precisely indexed, "one-cell-one-tube" manner. Such integration of microdroplet encapsulation to Raman-activated sorting ensures high-coverage one-cell genome sequencing or cultivation that is directly linked to metabolic phenotype. For clinical Escherichia coli isolates, genome assemblies derived from precisely one cell via RAGE-Seq consistently reach >95% coverage. Moreover, directly from a urine sample of urogenital tract infection, metabolic-activity-based antimicrobial susceptibility phenotypes and genome sequence of 99.5% coverage are obtained simultaneously from precisely one cell. This single-cell global mutation map corroborates resistance phenotype and genotype, and unveils epidemiological features with high specificity and sensitivity. The ability to profile and correlate bacterial metabolic phenome and high-quality genome sequences at one-cell resolution suggests broad application of RAGE-Seq.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Xu
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics and Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266101, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yanhai Gong
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics and Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266101, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China
| | - Xiaolu Su
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics and Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266101, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China
| | - Pengfei Zhu
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics and Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266101, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China
| | - Jing Dai
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics and Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266101, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics and Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266101, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China
| | - Bo Ma
- Single-Cell Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics and Shandong Institute of Energy Research, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, 266101, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China
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27
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Engelberts JP, Robbins SJ, de Goeij JM, Aranda M, Bell SC, Webster NS. Characterization of a sponge microbiome using an integrative genome-centric approach. THE ISME JOURNAL 2020; 14:1100-1110. [PMID: 31992859 PMCID: PMC7174397 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-0591-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Marine sponges often host diverse and species-specific communities of microorganisms that are critical for host health. Previous functional genomic investigations of the sponge microbiome have focused primarily on specific symbiont lineages, which frequently make up only a small fraction of the overall community. Here, we undertook genome-centric analysis of the symbiont community in the model species Ircinia ramosa and analyzed 259 unique, high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) that comprised 74% of the I. ramosa microbiome. Addition of these MAGs to genome trees containing all publicly available microbial sponge symbionts increased phylogenetic diversity by 32% within the archaea and 41% within the bacteria. Metabolic reconstruction of the MAGs showed extensive redundancy across taxa for pathways involved in carbon fixation, B-vitamin synthesis, taurine metabolism, sulfite oxidation, and most steps of nitrogen metabolism. Through the acquisition of all major taxa present within the I. ramosa microbiome, we were able to analyze the functional potential of a sponge-associated microbial community in unprecedented detail. Critical functions, such as carbon fixation, which had previously only been assigned to a restricted set of sponge-associated organisms, were actually spread across diverse symbiont taxa, whereas other essential pathways, such as ammonia oxidation, were confined to specific keystone taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Pamela Engelberts
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Steven J Robbins
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jasper M de Goeij
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Manuel Aranda
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sara C Bell
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicole S Webster
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
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28
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Gutleben J, Loureiro C, Ramírez Romero LA, Shetty S, Wijffels RH, Smidt H, Sipkema D. Cultivation of Bacteria From Aplysina aerophoba: Effects of Oxygen and Nutrient Gradients. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:175. [PMID: 32140143 PMCID: PMC7042410 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Sponge-associated bacteria possess biotechnologically interesting properties but as yet have largely evaded cultivation. Thus, "omics"-based information on the ecology and functional potential of sponge symbionts is awaiting its integration into the design of innovative cultivation approaches. To cultivate bacteria derived from the marine sponge Aplysina aerophoba, nine novel media formulations were created based on the predicted genomic potential of the prevalent sponge symbiont lineage Poribacteria. In addition, to maintain potential microbial metabolic interactions in vitro, a Liquid-Solid cultivation approach and a Winogradsky-column approach were applied. The vast majority of microorganisms in the inoculum appeared viable after cryopreservation of sponge specimen as determined by selective propidium monoazide DNA modification of membrane-compromised cells, however, only 2% of the initial prokaryotic diversity could be recovered through cultivation. In total, 256 OTUs encompassing seven prokaryotic phyla were cultivated. The diversity of the cultivated community was influenced by the addition of the antibiotic aeroplysinin-1 as well as by medium dilution, rather than carbon source. Furthermore, the Winogradsky-column approach reproducibly enriched distinct communities at different column depths, amongst which were numerous Clostridia and OTUs that could not be assigned to a known phylum. While some bacterial taxa such as Pseudovibrio and Ruegeria were recovered from nearly all applied cultivation conditions, others such as Bacteroidetes were specific to certain medium types. Predominant sponge-associated prokaryotic taxa remained uncultured, nonetheless, alternative cultivation approaches applied here enriched for previously uncultivated microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Gutleben
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Catarina Loureiro
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Sudarshan Shetty
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - René H. Wijffels
- Bioprocess Engineering, AlgaePARC, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Hauke Smidt
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Detmer Sipkema
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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29
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Zhang F, Jonas L, Lin H, Hill RT. Microbially mediated nutrient cycles in marine sponges. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2019; 95:5582607. [DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiz155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACTEfficient nutrient cycles mediated by symbiotic microorganisms with their hosts are vital to support the high productivity of coral reef ecosystems. In these ecosystems, marine sponges are important habitat-forming organisms in the benthic community and harbor abundant microbial symbionts. However, few studies have reviewed the critical microbially mediated nutrient cycling processes in marine sponges. To bridge this gap, in this review article, we summarize existing knowledge and recent advances in understanding microbially mediated carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) cycles in sponges, propose a conceptual model that describes potential interactions and constraints in the major nutrient cycles, and suggest that shifting redox state induced by animal behavior like sponge pumping can exert great influence on the activities of symbiotic microbial communities. Constraints include the lack of knowledge on spatial and temporal variations and host behavior; more studies are needed in these areas. Sponge microbiomes may have a significant impact on the nutrient cycles in the world’s coral reef ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Columbus Center, 701 East Pratt Street, Baltimore Maryland 21202, USA
| | - Lauren Jonas
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Columbus Center, 701 East Pratt Street, Baltimore Maryland 21202, USA
| | - Hanzhi Lin
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Columbus Center, 701 East Pratt Street, Baltimore Maryland 21202, USA
| | - Russell T Hill
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Columbus Center, 701 East Pratt Street, Baltimore Maryland 21202, USA
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Gantt SE, McMurray SE, Stubler AD, Finelli CM, Pawlik JR, Erwin PM. Testing the relationship between microbiome composition and flux of carbon and nutrients in Caribbean coral reef sponges. MICROBIOME 2019; 7:124. [PMID: 31466521 PMCID: PMC6716902 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-019-0739-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sponges are important suspension-feeding members of reef communities, with the collective capacity to overturn the entire water column on shallow Caribbean reefs every day. The sponge-loop hypothesis suggests that sponges take up dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and, via assimilation and shedding of cells, return carbon to the reef ecosystem as particulate organic carbon (POC). Sponges host complex microbial communities within their tissues that may play a role in carbon and nutrient cycling within the sponge holobiont. To investigate this relationship, we paired microbial community characterization (16S rRNA analysis, Illumina Mi-Seq platform) with carbon (DOC, POC) and nutrient (PO4, NOx, NH4) flux data (specific filtration rate) for 10 common Caribbean sponge species at two distant sites (Florida Keys vs. Belize, ~ 1203 km apart). RESULTS Distance-based linear modeling revealed weak relationships overall between symbiont structure and carbon and nutrient flux, suggesting that the observed differences in POC, DOC, PO4, and NOx flux among sponges are not caused by variations in the composition of symbiont communities. In contrast, significant correlations between symbiont structure and NH4 flux occurred consistently across the dataset. Further, several individual symbiont taxa (OTUs) exhibited relative abundances that correlated with NH4 flux, including one OTU affiliated with the ammonia-oxidizing genus Cenarchaeum. CONCLUSIONS Combined, these results indicate that microbiome structure is uncoupled from sponge carbon cycling and does not explain variation in DOC uptake among Caribbean coral reef sponges. Accordingly, differential DOC assimilation by sponge cells or stable microbiome components may ultimately drive carbon flux in the sponge holobiont.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelby E Gantt
- Center for Marine Science and Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, 28409, USA
| | - Steven E McMurray
- Center for Marine Science and Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, 28409, USA
| | - Amber D Stubler
- Biology Department, Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA, 90041, USA
| | - Christopher M Finelli
- Center for Marine Science and Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, 28409, USA
| | - Joseph R Pawlik
- Center for Marine Science and Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, 28409, USA
| | - Patrick M Erwin
- Center for Marine Science and Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, 28409, USA.
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Lajoie G, Kembel SW. Making the Most of Trait-Based Approaches for Microbial Ecology. Trends Microbiol 2019; 27:814-823. [PMID: 31296406 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
There is an increasing interest in applying trait-based approaches to microbial ecology, but the question of how and why to do it is still lagging behind. By anchoring our discussion of these questions in a framework derived from epistemology, we broaden the scope of trait-based approaches to microbial ecology from one oriented mostly around explanation towards one inclusive of the predictive and integrative potential of these approaches. We use case studies from macro-organismal ecology to concretely show how these goals for knowledge development can be fulfilled and propose clear directions, adapted to the biological reality of microbes, to make the most of recent advancements in the measurement of microbial phenotypes and traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geneviève Lajoie
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, 141 Avenue du Président-Kennedy, Montréal, Canada, H2X 1Y4.
| | - Steven W Kembel
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, 141 Avenue du Président-Kennedy, Montréal, Canada, H2X 1Y4
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Vertical transmission of sponge microbiota is inconsistent and unfaithful. Nat Ecol Evol 2019; 3:1172-1183. [PMID: 31285574 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-019-0935-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Co-evolutionary theory predicts that if beneficial microbial symbionts improve host fitness, they should be faithfully transmitted to offspring. More recently, the hologenome theory of evolution predicts resemblance between parent and offspring microbiomes and high partner fidelity between host species and their vertically transmitted microbes. Here, we test these ideas in multiple coexisting host species with highly diverse microbiota, leveraging known parent-offspring pairs sampled from eight species of wild marine sponges (Porifera). We found that the processes governing vertical transmission were both neutral and selective. A neutral model was a better fit to larval (R2 = 0.66) than to the adult microbiota (R2 = 0.27), suggesting that the importance of non-neutral processes increases as the sponge host matures. Microbes that are enriched above neutral expectations in adults were disproportionately transferred to offspring. Patterns of vertical transmission were, however, incomplete: larval sponges shared, on average, 44.8% of microbes with their parents, which was not higher than the fraction they shared with nearby non-parental adults. Vertical transmission was also inconsistent across siblings, as larval sponges from the same parent shared only 17% of microbes. Finally, we found no evidence that vertically transmitted microbes are faithful to a single sponge host species. Surprisingly, larvae were as likely to share vertically transmitted microbes with larvae from other sponge species as they were with their own species. Our study demonstrates that common predictions of vertical transmission that stem from species-poor systems are not necessarily true when scaling up to diverse and complex microbiomes.
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Abstract
Single-cell genomics allows bypassing the culturing step and to directly access environmental microbes one cell at a time. The method has been successfully applied to explore archaeal and bacterial candidate phyla, referred to as microbial dark matter. Here I summarize the single-cell genomics workflow, including sample preparation and preservation, high-throughput fluorescence-activated cell sorting, cell lysis and amplification of environmental samples. Furthermore I describe phylogenetic screening based on 16S rRNA genes and suggest a suitable library preparation and sequencing approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Rinke
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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Evolutionary Model of Cluster Divergence of the Emergent Marine Pathogen Vibrio vulnificus: From Genotype to Ecotype. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.02852-18. [PMID: 30782660 PMCID: PMC6381281 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02852-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Vibrio vulnificus is an emergent marine pathogen and is the cause of a deadly septicemia. However, the genetic factors that differentiate its clinical and environmental strains and its several biotypes remain mostly enigmatic. In this work, we investigated the underlying genomic properties and population dynamics of the V. vulnificus species to elucidate the traits that make these strains emerge as a human pathogen. The acquisition of different ecological determinants could have allowed the development of highly divergent clusters with different lifestyles within the same environment. However, we identified strains from both clusters in the mucosa of aquaculture species, indicating that manmade niches are bringing strains from the two clusters together, posing a potential risk of recombination and of emergence of novel variants. We propose a new evolutionary model that provides a perspective that could be broadly applicable to other pathogenic vibrios and facultative bacterial pathogens to pursue strategies to prevent their infections. Vibrio vulnificus, an opportunistic pathogen, is the causative agent of a life-threatening septicemia and a rising problem for aquaculture worldwide. The genetic factors that differentiate its clinical and environmental strains remain enigmatic. Furthermore, clinical strains have emerged from every clade of V. vulnificus. In this work, we investigated the underlying genomic properties and population dynamics of the V. vulnificus species from an evolutionary and ecological point of view. Genome comparisons and bioinformatic analyses of 113 V. vulnificus isolates indicate that the population of V. vulnificus is made up of four different clusters. We found evidence that recombination and gene flow between the two largest clusters (cluster 1 [C1] and C2) have drastically decreased to the point where they are diverging independently. Pangenome and phenotypic analyses showed two markedly different lifestyles for these two clusters, indicating commensal (C2) and bloomer (C1) ecotypes, with differences in carbohydrate utilization, defense systems, and chemotaxis, among other characteristics. Nonetheless, we identified frequent intra- and interspecies exchange of mobile genetic elements (e.g., antibiotic resistance plasmids, novel “chromids,” or two different and concurrent type VI secretion systems) that provide high levels of genetic diversity in the population. Surprisingly, we identified strains from both clusters in the mucosa of aquaculture species, indicating that manmade niches are bringing strains from the two clusters together. We propose an evolutionary model of V. vulnificus that could be broadly applicable to other pathogenic vibrios and facultative bacterial pathogens to pursue strategies to prevent their infections and emergence.
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Marine Sponges as Chloroflexi Hot Spots: Genomic Insights and High-Resolution Visualization of an Abundant and Diverse Symbiotic Clade. mSystems 2018; 3:mSystems00150-18. [PMID: 30637337 PMCID: PMC6306507 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00150-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Chloroflexi represent a widespread, yet enigmatic bacterial phylum with few cultivated members. We used metagenomic and single-cell genomic approaches to characterize the functional gene repertoire of Chloroflexi symbionts in marine sponges. The results of this study suggest clade-specific metabolic specialization and that Chloroflexi symbionts have the genomic potential for dissolved organic matter (DOM) degradation from seawater. Considering the abundance and dominance of sponges in many benthic environments, we predict that the role of sponge symbionts in biogeochemical cycles is larger than previously thought. Members of the widespread bacterial phylum Chloroflexi can dominate high-microbial-abundance (HMA) sponge microbiomes. In the Sponge Microbiome Project, Chloroflexi sequences amounted to 20 to 30% of the total microbiome of certain HMA sponge genera with the classes/clades SAR202, Caldilineae, and Anaerolineae being the most prominent. We performed metagenomic and single-cell genomic analyses to elucidate the functional gene repertoire of Chloroflexi symbionts of Aplysina aerophoba. Eighteen draft genomes were reconstructed and placed into phylogenetic context of which six were investigated in detail. Common genomic features of Chloroflexi sponge symbionts were related to central energy and carbon converting pathways, amino acid and fatty acid metabolism, and respiration. Clade-specific metabolic features included a massively expanded genomic repertoire for carbohydrate degradation in Anaerolineae and Caldilineae genomes, but only amino acid utilization by SAR202. While Anaerolineae and Caldilineae import cofactors and vitamins, SAR202 genomes harbor genes encoding components involved in cofactor biosynthesis. A number of features relevant to symbiosis were further identified, including CRISPR-Cas systems, eukaryote-like repeat proteins, and secondary metabolite gene clusters. Chloroflexi symbionts were visualized in the sponge extracellular matrix at ultrastructural resolution by the fluorescence in situ hybridization-correlative light and electron microscopy (FISH-CLEM) method. Carbohydrate degradation potential was reported previously for “Candidatus Poribacteria” and SAUL, typical symbionts of HMA sponges, and we propose here that HMA sponge symbionts collectively engage in degradation of dissolved organic matter, both labile and recalcitrant. Thus, sponge microbes may not only provide nutrients to the sponge host, but they may also contribute to dissolved organic matter (DOM) recycling and primary productivity in reef ecosystems via a pathway termed the sponge loop. IMPORTANCEChloroflexi represent a widespread, yet enigmatic bacterial phylum with few cultivated members. We used metagenomic and single-cell genomic approaches to characterize the functional gene repertoire of Chloroflexi symbionts in marine sponges. The results of this study suggest clade-specific metabolic specialization and that Chloroflexi symbionts have the genomic potential for dissolved organic matter (DOM) degradation from seawater. Considering the abundance and dominance of sponges in many benthic environments, we predict that the role of sponge symbionts in biogeochemical cycles is larger than previously thought.
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Knobloch S, Jóhannsson R, Marteinsson V. Bacterial diversity in the marine spongeHalichondria paniceafrom Icelandic waters and host-specificity of its dominant symbiont “CandidatusHalichondribacter symbioticus”. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2018; 95:5173036. [DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiy220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Knobloch
- Microbiology Group, Department of Research and Innovation, Matís ohf., Vinlandsleid 12, 113 Reykjavik, Iceland
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, Saemundargata 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Ragnar Jóhannsson
- Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, Hafrannsóknastofnun, Skúlagata 4, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Viggó Marteinsson
- Microbiology Group, Department of Research and Innovation, Matís ohf., Vinlandsleid 12, 113 Reykjavik, Iceland
- Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Iceland, Saemundargata 2, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
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Podell S, Blanton JM, Neu A, Agarwal V, Biggs JS, Moore BS, Allen EE. Pangenomic comparison of globally distributed Poribacteria associated with sponge hosts and marine particles. ISME JOURNAL 2018; 13:468-481. [PMID: 30291328 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-018-0292-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Candidatus Poribacteria is a little-known bacterial phylum, previously characterized by partial genomes from a single sponge host, but never isolated in culture. We have reconstructed multiple genome sequences from four different sponge genera and compared them to recently reported, uncharacterized Poribacteria genomes from the open ocean, discovering shared and unique functional characteristics. Two distinct, habitat-linked taxonomic lineages were identified, designated Entoporibacteria (sponge-associated) and Pelagiporibacteria (free-living). These lineages differed in flagellar motility and chemotaxis genes unique to Pelagiporibacteria, and highly expanded families of restriction endonucleases, DNA methylases, transposases, CRISPR repeats, and toxin-antitoxin gene pairs in Entoporibacteria. Both lineages shared pathways for facultative anaerobic metabolism, denitrification, fermentation, organosulfur compound utilization, type IV pili, cellulosomes, and bacterial proteosomes. Unexpectedly, many features characteristic of eukaryotic host association were also shared, including genes encoding the synthesis of eukaryotic-like cell adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix digestive enzymes, phosphoinositol-linked membrane glycolipids, and exopolysaccharide capsules. Complete Poribacteria 16S rRNA gene sequences were found to contain multiple mismatches to "universal" 16S rRNA gene primer sets, substantiating concerns about potential amplification failures in previous studies. A newly designed primer set corrects these mismatches, enabling more accurate assessment of Poribacteria abundance in diverse marine habitats where it may have previously been overlooked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Podell
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jessica M Blanton
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Neu
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Vinayak Agarwal
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jason S Biggs
- University of Guam Marine Laboratory, UOG Station, Mangilao, Guam, USA
| | - Bradley S Moore
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA.,Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Eric E Allen
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA. .,Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA. .,Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA.
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38
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Chaib De Mares M, Jiménez DJ, Palladino G, Gutleben J, Lebrun LA, Muller EEL, Wilmes P, Sipkema D, van Elsas JD. Expressed protein profile of a Tectomicrobium and other microbial symbionts in the marine sponge Aplysina aerophoba as evidenced by metaproteomics. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11795. [PMID: 30087358 PMCID: PMC6081418 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30134-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aplysina aerophoba is an emerging model marine sponge, with a well-characterized microbial community in terms of diversity and structure. However, little is known about the expressed functional capabilities of its associated microbes. Here, we present the first metaproteomics-based study of the microbiome of A. aerophoba. We found that transport and degradation of halogenated and chloroaromatic compounds are common active processes in the sponge microbiomes. Our data further reveal that the highest number of proteins were affiliated to a sponge-associated Tectomicrobium, presumably from the family Entotheonellaceae, as well as to the well-known symbiont "Candidatus Synechococcus spongiarium", suggesting a high metabolic activity of these two microorganisms in situ. Evidence for nitric oxide (NO) conversion to nitrous oxide was consistently observed for Tectomicrobia across replicates, by production of the NorQ protein. Moreover, we found a potential energy-yielding pathway through CO oxidation by putative Chloroflexi bacteria. Finally, we observed expression of enzymes that may be involved in the transformation of chitin, glycoproteins, glycolipids and glucans into smaller molecules, consistent with glycosyl hydrolases predicted from analyses of the genomes of Poribacteria sponge symbionts. Thus, this study provides crucial links between expressed proteins and specific members of the A. aerophoba microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Chaib De Mares
- Microbial Ecology Cluster, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Diego Javier Jiménez
- Microbial Ecology Cluster, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Biological Sciences, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Giorgia Palladino
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna Gutleben
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Laura A Lebrun
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Emilie E L Muller
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Department of Microbiology, Genomics and the Environment, UMR 7156 UNISTRA - CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Paul Wilmes
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Detmer Sipkema
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Dirk van Elsas
- Microbial Ecology Cluster, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Haro-Moreno JM, López-Pérez M, de la Torre JR, Picazo A, Camacho A, Rodriguez-Valera F. Fine metagenomic profile of the Mediterranean stratified and mixed water columns revealed by assembly and recruitment. MICROBIOME 2018; 6:128. [PMID: 29991350 PMCID: PMC6040077 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-018-0513-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The photic zone of aquatic habitats is subjected to strong physicochemical gradients. To analyze the fine-scale variations in the marine microbiome, we collected seven samples from a single offshore location in the Mediterranean at 15 m depth intervals during a period of strong stratification, as well as two more samples during the winter when the photic water column was mixed. We were able to recover 94 new metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from these metagenomes and examine the distribution of key marine microbes within the photic zone using metagenomic recruitment. RESULTS Our results showed significant differences in the microbial composition of different layers within the stratified photic water column. The majority of microorganisms were confined to discreet horizontal layers of no more than 30 m (stenobathic). Only a few such as members of the SAR11 clade appeared at all depths (eurybathic). During the winter mixing period, only some groups of bloomers such as Pseudomonas were favored. Although most microbes appeared in both seasons, some groups like the SAR116 clade and some Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia seemed to disappear during the mixing period. Furthermore, we found that some microbes previously considered seasonal (e.g., Archaea or Actinobacteria) were living in deeper layers within the photic zone during the stratification period. A strong depth-related specialization was detected, not only at the taxonomic level but also at the functional level, even within the different clades, for the manipulation and uptake of specific polysaccharides. Rhodopsin sequences (green or blue) also showed narrow depth distributions that correlated with the taxonomy of the microbe in which they were found but not with depth. CONCLUSIONS Although limited to a single location in the Mediterranean, this study has profound implications for our understanding of how marine microbial communities vary with depth within the photic zone when stratified. Our results highlight the importance of collecting samples at different depths in the water column when comparing seasonal variations and have important ramifications for global marine studies that most often take samples from only one single depth. Furthermore, our perspective and approaches (metagenomic assembly and recruitment) are broadly applicable to other metagenomic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose M Haro-Moreno
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, División de Microbiología, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Apartado 18, San Juan de Alicante, 03550, Alicante, Spain
| | - Mario López-Pérez
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, División de Microbiología, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Apartado 18, San Juan de Alicante, 03550, Alicante, Spain
| | - José R de la Torre
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA
| | - Antonio Picazo
- Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, E-46100, Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Camacho
- Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, E-46100, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco Rodriguez-Valera
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, División de Microbiología, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Apartado 18, San Juan de Alicante, 03550, Alicante, Spain.
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40
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Pita L, Rix L, Slaby BM, Franke A, Hentschel U. The sponge holobiont in a changing ocean: from microbes to ecosystems. MICROBIOME 2018; 6:46. [PMID: 29523192 PMCID: PMC5845141 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-018-0428-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 254] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The recognition that all macroorganisms live in symbiotic association with microbial communities has opened up a new field in biology. Animals, plants, and algae are now considered holobionts, complex ecosystems consisting of the host, the microbiota, and the interactions among them. Accordingly, ecological concepts can be applied to understand the host-derived and microbial processes that govern the dynamics of the interactive networks within the holobiont. In marine systems, holobionts are further integrated into larger and more complex communities and ecosystems, a concept referred to as "nested ecosystems." In this review, we discuss the concept of holobionts as dynamic ecosystems that interact at multiple scales and respond to environmental change. We focus on the symbiosis of sponges with their microbial communities-a symbiosis that has resulted in one of the most diverse and complex holobionts in the marine environment. In recent years, the field of sponge microbiology has remarkably advanced in terms of curated databases, standardized protocols, and information on the functions of the microbiota. Like a Russian doll, these microbial processes are translated into sponge holobiont functions that impact the surrounding ecosystem. For example, the sponge-associated microbial metabolisms, fueled by the high filtering capacity of the sponge host, substantially affect the biogeochemical cycling of key nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous. Since sponge holobionts are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic stressors that jeopardize the stability of the holobiont ecosystem, we discuss the link between environmental perturbations, dysbiosis, and sponge diseases. Experimental studies suggest that the microbial community composition is tightly linked to holobiont health, but whether dysbiosis is a cause or a consequence of holobiont collapse remains unresolved. Moreover, the potential role of the microbiome in mediating the capacity for holobionts to acclimate and adapt to environmental change is unknown. Future studies should aim to identify the mechanisms underlying holobiont dynamics at multiple scales, from the microbiome to the ecosystem, and develop management strategies to preserve the key functions provided by the sponge holobiont in our present and future oceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Pita
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | - L. Rix
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | - B. M. Slaby
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | - A. Franke
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | - U. Hentschel
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
- Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel (CAU), Kiel, Germany
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41
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Steinert G, Gutleben J, Atikana A, Wijffels RH, Smidt H, Sipkema D. Coexistence of poribacterial phylotypes among geographically widespread and phylogenetically divergent sponge hosts. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2018; 10:80-91. [PMID: 29194987 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Marine sponges are benthic 'filter-feeding' invertebrates that can host dense and diverse bacterial, archaeal and eukaryotic communities. Due to the finding of several genes encoding symbiosis factors, such as adhesins, ankyrin repeats and tetratricopeptide repeats, the candidate phylum 'Poribacteria' is considered as a promising model microorganism for studying the origin of host-symbiont interactions in sponges. However, relatively little is known about its global diversity and phylogenetic distribution among different sponge hosts. Therefore, in this study we investigated phylogenetic relationships among poribacterial phylotypes and generated a phylogenetic network to examine the distribution and intraspecific diversity of the phylotypes between phylogenetically divergent host-sponges at a global scale. For this study 361 poribacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences obtained by Sanger sequencing from 15 different countries and 8 marine regions were gathered. We could demonstrate that the candidate phylum 'Poribacteria' is composed of diverse phylotypes, which are distributed among a wide range of phylogenetically divergent sponge hosts. The current phylogenetic analyses found neither conclusive evidence for co-speciation with its hosts, nor biogeographical correlation. Moreover, we identified a novel poribacterial clade, which might represent a link between the previously established four 'Poribacteria' clades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Steinert
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, Wageningen, 6708 WE, The Netherlands
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Wilhelmshaven, 26382, Germany
| | - Johanna Gutleben
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, Wageningen, 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Akhirta Atikana
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, Wageningen, 6708 WE, The Netherlands
- Research Center for Biotechnology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Cibinong Science Center (CSC) Cibinong, Bogor, 16911, Indonesia
| | - Rene H Wijffels
- Bioprocess Engineering, AlgaePARC, Wageningen University, Wageningen, 6700 AA, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, 8026, Norway
| | - Hauke Smidt
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, Wageningen, 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Detmer Sipkema
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, Wageningen, 6708 WE, The Netherlands
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Karimi E, Ramos M, Gonçalves JMS, Xavier JR, Reis MP, Costa R. Comparative Metagenomics Reveals the Distinctive Adaptive Features of the Spongia officinalis Endosymbiotic Consortium. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2499. [PMID: 29312205 PMCID: PMC5735121 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Current knowledge of sponge microbiome functioning derives mostly from comparative analyses with bacterioplankton communities. We employed a metagenomics-centered approach to unveil the distinct features of the Spongia officinalis endosymbiotic consortium in the context of its two primary environmental vicinities. Microbial metagenomic DNA samples (n = 10) from sponges, seawater, and sediments were subjected to Hiseq Illumina sequencing (c. 15 million 100 bp reads per sample). Totals of 10,272 InterPro (IPR) predicted protein entries and 784 rRNA gene operational taxonomic units (OTUs, 97% cut-off) were uncovered from all metagenomes. Despite the large divergence in microbial community assembly between the surveyed biotopes, the S. officinalis symbiotic community shared slightly greater similarity (p < 0.05), in terms of both taxonomy and function, to sediment than to seawater communities. The vast majority of the dominant S. officinalis symbionts (i.e., OTUs), representing several, so-far uncultivable lineages in diverse bacterial phyla, displayed higher residual abundances in sediments than in seawater. CRISPR-Cas proteins and restriction endonucleases presented much higher frequencies (accompanied by lower viral abundances) in sponges than in the environment. However, several genomic features sharply enriched in the sponge specimens, including eukaryotic-like repeat motifs (ankyrins, tetratricopeptides, WD-40, and leucine-rich repeats), and genes encoding for plasmids, sulfatases, polyketide synthases, type IV secretion proteins, and terpene/terpenoid synthases presented, to varying degrees, higher frequencies in sediments than in seawater. In contrast, much higher abundances of motility and chemotaxis genes were found in sediments and seawater than in sponges. Higher cell and surface densities, sponge cell shedding and particle uptake, and putative chemical signaling processes favoring symbiont persistence in particulate matrices all may act as mechanisms underlying the observed degrees of taxonomic connectivity and functional convergence between sponges and sediments. The reduced frequency of motility and chemotaxis genes in the sponge microbiome reinforces the notion of a prevalent mutualistic mode of living inside the host. This study highlights the S. officinalis “endosymbiome” as a distinct consortium of uncultured prokaryotes displaying a likely “sit-and-wait” strategy to nutrient foraging coupled to sophisticated anti-viral defenses, unique natural product biosynthesis, nutrient utilization and detoxification capacities, and both microbe–microbe and host–microbe gene transfer amenability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Karimi
- Microbial Ecology and Evolution Research Group, Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Miguel Ramos
- Microbial Ecology and Evolution Research Group, Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Jorge M S Gonçalves
- Fisheries, Biodiversity and Conservation Research Group, Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Joana R Xavier
- Department of Biology and K.G. Jebsen Centre for Deep Sea Research, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Margarida P Reis
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo Costa
- Microbial Ecology and Evolution Research Group, Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.,Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Astudillo-García C, Slaby BM, Waite DW, Bayer K, Hentschel U, Taylor MW. Phylogeny and genomics of SAUL, an enigmatic bacterial lineage frequently associated with marine sponges. Environ Microbiol 2017; 20:561-576. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Astudillo-García
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Auckland; Auckland New Zealand
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland; Auckland New Zealand
| | - Beate M. Slaby
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research; Kiel Germany
- Department of Botany II; Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biological Sciences, University of Würzburg; Würzburg Germany
| | - David W. Waite
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences; The University of Queensland; QLD, St Lucia Australia
| | - Kristina Bayer
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research; Kiel Germany
| | - Ute Hentschel
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research; Kiel Germany
- Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel; Kiel Germany
| | - Michael W. Taylor
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Auckland; Auckland New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland; New Zealand
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Characterization of ecologically diverse viruses infecting co-occurring strains of cosmopolitan hyperhalophilic Bacteroidetes. ISME JOURNAL 2017; 12:424-437. [PMID: 29099492 PMCID: PMC5776456 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2017.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hypersaline environments close to saturation harbor the highest density of virus-like particles reported for aquatic systems as well as low microbial diversity. Thus, they offer unique settings for studying virus–host interactions in nature. However, no viruses have been isolated so far infecting the two most abundant inhabitants of these systems (that is, the euryarchaeon Haloquadratum walsbyi and the bacteroidetes Salinibacter ruber). Here, using three different co-occurring strains, we have isolated eight viruses infecting the ubiquitous S. ruber that constitute three new different genera (named as ‘Holosalinivirus’, ‘Kryptosalinivirus’ and ‘Kairosalinivirus’) according to their genomic traits, different host range, virus–host interaction capabilities and abundances in natural systems worldwide. Furthermore, to get a more complete and comprehensive view of S. ruber virus assemblages in nature, a microcosm experiment was set with a mixture of S. ruber strains challenged with a brine virus concentrate, and changes of viral populations were monitored by viral metagenomics. Only viruses closely related to kairosalinivirus (strictly lytic and wide host range) were enriched, despite their low initial abundance in the natural sample. Metagenomic analyses of the mesocosms allowed the complete recovery of kairosalinivirus genomes using an ad hoc assembly strategy as common viral metagenomic assembly tools failed despite their abundance, which underlines the limitations of current approaches. The increase of this type of viruses was accompanied by an increase in the diversity of the group, as shown by contig recruitment. These results are consistent with a scenario in which host range, not only virus and host abundances, is a key factor in determining virus fate in nature.
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Smukowski Heil C, Burton JN, Liachko I, Friedrich A, Hanson NA, Morris CL, Schacherer J, Shendure J, Thomas JH, Dunham MJ. Identification of a novel interspecific hybrid yeast from a metagenomic spontaneously inoculated beer sample using Hi-C. Yeast 2017; 35:71-84. [PMID: 28892574 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Interspecific hybridization is a common mechanism enabling genetic diversification and adaptation; however, the detection of hybrid species has been quite difficult. The identification of microbial hybrids is made even more complicated, as most environmental microbes are resistant to culturing and must be studied in their native mixed communities. We have previously adapted the chromosome conformation capture method Hi-C to the assembly of genomes from mixed populations. Here, we show the method's application in assembling genomes directly from an uncultured, mixed population from a spontaneously inoculated beer sample. Our assembly method has enabled us to de-convolute four bacterial and four yeast genomes from this sample, including a putative yeast hybrid. Downstream isolation and analysis of this hybrid confirmed its genome to consist of Pichia membranifaciens and that of another related, but undescribed, yeast. Our work shows that Hi-C-based metagenomic methods can overcome the limitation of traditional sequencing methods in studying complex mixtures of genomes. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joshua N Burton
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ivan Liachko
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Anne Friedrich
- Genetics, Genomics, and Microbiology, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Noah A Hanson
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Joseph Schacherer
- Genetics, Genomics, and Microbiology, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jay Shendure
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - James H Thomas
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Maitreya J Dunham
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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46
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Gao ZM, Zhou GW, Huang H, Wang Y. The Cyanobacteria-Dominated Sponge Dactylospongia elegans in the South China Sea: Prokaryotic Community and Metagenomic Insights. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1387. [PMID: 28790992 PMCID: PMC5524777 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The South China Sea is a special reservoir of sponges of which prokaryotic communities are less studied. Here, a new record of the sponge Dactylospongia elegans is reported near the coast of Jinqing Island in the South China Sea, and its prokaryotic community is comprehensively investigated. Sponge specimens displayed lower microbial diversity compared with surrounding seawater. At the phylum level, prokaryotic communities were consistently dominated by Proteobacteria, followed by Cyanobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Thaumarchaeota, and Poribacteria. Operational taxonomic unit (OTU) analysis alternatively showed that the most abundant symbiont was the sponge-specific cyanobacterial species “Candidatus Synechococcus spongiarum,” followed by OTUs belonging to the unidentified Chloroflexi and Acidobacteria. Phylogenetic tree based on 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer regions indicated that the dominated cyanobacterial OTU represented a new clade of “Ca. Synechococcus spongiarum.” More reliable metagenomic data further revealed that poribacterial symbionts were highly abundant and only secondary to the cyanobacterial symbiont. One draft genome for each of the Cyanobacteria, Chloroflexi and Acidobacteria and three poribacterial genomes were extracted from the metagenomes. Among them, genomes affiliated with the Chloroflexi and Acidobacteria were reported for the first time in sponge symbionts. Eukaryotic-like domains were found in all the binned genomes, indicating their potential symbiotic roles with the sponge host. The high quality of the six recovered genomes of sponge symbionts from the sponge D. elegans makes it possible to understand their symbiotic roles and interactions with the sponge host as well as among one another.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Ming Gao
- Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of SciencesSanya, China
| | - Guo-Wei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhou, China
| | - Hui Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhou, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of SciencesSanya, China
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Slaby BM, Hackl T, Horn H, Bayer K, Hentschel U. Metagenomic binning of a marine sponge microbiome reveals unity in defense but metabolic specialization. ISME JOURNAL 2017; 11:2465-2478. [PMID: 28696422 PMCID: PMC5649159 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2017.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2016] [Revised: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Marine sponges are ancient metazoans that are populated by distinct and highly diverse microbial communities. In order to obtain deeper insights into the functional gene repertoire of the Mediterranean sponge Aplysina aerophoba, we combined Illumina short-read and PacBio long-read sequencing followed by un-targeted metagenomic binning. We identified a total of 37 high-quality bins representing 11 bacterial phyla and two candidate phyla. Statistical comparison of symbiont genomes with selected reference genomes revealed a significant enrichment of genes related to bacterial defense (restriction-modification systems, toxin-antitoxin systems) as well as genes involved in host colonization and extracellular matrix utilization in sponge symbionts. A within-symbionts genome comparison revealed a nutritional specialization of at least two symbiont guilds, where one appears to metabolize carnitine and the other sulfated polysaccharides, both of which are abundant molecules in the sponge extracellular matrix. A third guild of symbionts may be viewed as nutritional generalists that perform largely the same metabolic pathways but lack such extraordinary numbers of the relevant genes. This study characterizes the genomic repertoire of sponge symbionts at an unprecedented resolution and it provides greater insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying microbial-sponge symbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate M Slaby
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany.,Department of Botany II, Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biological Science, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Hackl
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Hannes Horn
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany.,Department of Botany II, Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biological Science, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kristina Bayer
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ute Hentschel
- RD3 Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany.,Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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48
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Wedemeyer A, Kliemann L, Srivastav A, Schielke C, Reusch TB, Rosenstiel P. An improved filtering algorithm for big read datasets and its application to single-cell assembly. BMC Bioinformatics 2017; 18:324. [PMID: 28673253 PMCID: PMC5496428 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-017-1724-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background For single-cell or metagenomic sequencing projects, it is necessary to sequence with a very high mean coverage in order to make sure that all parts of the sample DNA get covered by the reads produced. This leads to huge datasets with lots of redundant data. A filtering of this data prior to assembly is advisable. Brown et al. (2012) presented the algorithm Diginorm for this purpose, which filters reads based on the abundance of their k-mers. Methods We present Bignorm, a faster and quality-conscious read filtering algorithm. An important new algorithmic feature is the use of phred quality scores together with a detailed analysis of the k-mer counts to decide which reads to keep. Results We qualify and recommend parameters for our new read filtering algorithm. Guided by these parameters, we remove in terms of median 97.15% of the reads while keeping the mean phred score of the filtered dataset high. Using the SDAdes assembler, we produce assemblies of high quality from these filtered datasets in a fraction of the time needed for an assembly from the datasets filtered with Diginorm. Conclusions We conclude that read filtering is a practical and efficient method for reducing read data and for speeding up the assembly process. This applies not only for single cell assembly, as shown in this paper, but also to other projects with high mean coverage datasets like metagenomic sequencing projects. Our Bignorm algorithm allows assemblies of competitive quality in comparison to Diginorm, while being much faster. Bignorm is available for download at https://git.informatik.uni-kiel.de/axw/Bignorm. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12859-017-1724-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Wedemeyer
- Department of Computer Science, Kiel University, Christian-Albrechts-Platz 4, Kiel, 24118, Germany.
| | - Lasse Kliemann
- Department of Computer Science, Kiel University, Christian-Albrechts-Platz 4, Kiel, 24118, Germany
| | - Anand Srivastav
- Department of Computer Science, Kiel University, Christian-Albrechts-Platz 4, Kiel, 24118, Germany
| | - Christian Schielke
- Department of Computer Science, Kiel University, Christian-Albrechts-Platz 4, Kiel, 24118, Germany
| | - Thorsten B Reusch
- Marine Ecology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, Kiel, 24105, Germany
| | - Philip Rosenstiel
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Kiel University, Schittenhelmstr. 12, Kiel, 24105, Germany
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Moitinho-Silva L, Díez-Vives C, Batani G, Esteves AIS, Jahn MT, Thomas T. Integrated metabolism in sponge-microbe symbiosis revealed by genome-centered metatranscriptomics. THE ISME JOURNAL 2017; 11:1651-1666. [PMID: 28338677 PMCID: PMC5520145 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2017.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Despite an increased understanding of functions in sponge microbiomes, the interactions among the symbionts and between symbionts and host are not well characterized. Here we reconstructed the metabolic interactions within the sponge Cymbastela concentrica microbiome in the context of functional features of symbiotic diatoms and the host. Three genome bins (CcPhy, CcNi and CcThau) were recovered from metagenomic data of C. concentrica, belonging to the proteobacterial family Phyllobacteriaceae, the Nitrospira genus and the thaumarchaeal order Nitrosopumilales. Gene expression was estimated by mapping C. concentrica metatranscriptomic reads. Our analyses indicated that CcPhy is heterotrophic, while CcNi and CcThau are chemolithoautotrophs. CcPhy expressed many transporters for the acquisition of dissolved organic compounds, likely available through the sponge's filtration activity and symbiotic carbon fixation. Coupled nitrification by CcThau and CcNi was reconstructed, supported by the observed close proximity of the cells in fluorescence in situ hybridization. CcPhy facultative anaerobic respiration and assimilation by diatoms may consume the resulting nitrate. Transcriptional analysis of diatom and sponge functions indicated that these organisms are likely sources of organic compounds, for example, creatine/creatinine and dissolved organic carbon, for other members of the symbiosis. Our results suggest that organic nitrogen compounds, for example, creatine, creatinine, urea and cyanate, fuel the nitrogen cycle within the sponge. This study provides an unprecedented view of the metabolic interactions within sponge-microbe symbiosis, bridging the gap between cell- and community-level knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Moitinho-Silva
- Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cristina Díez-Vives
- Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Giampiero Batani
- Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ana IS Esteves
- Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Martin T Jahn
- Marine Microbiology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | - Torsten Thomas
- Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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50
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Genome Reduction and Microbe-Host Interactions Drive Adaptation of a Sulfur-Oxidizing Bacterium Associated with a Cold Seep Sponge. mSystems 2017; 2:mSystems00184-16. [PMID: 28345060 PMCID: PMC5361782 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00184-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Sponges and their symbionts are important players in the biogeochemical cycles of marine environments. As a unique habitat within marine ecosystems, cold seeps have received considerable interest in recent years. This study explores the lifestyle of a new symbiotic SOB in a cold seep sponge. The results demonstrate that both this sponge symbiont and endosymbionts in deep-sea clams employ similar strategies of genome reduction. However, this bacterium has retained unique functions for immunity and defense. Thus, the functional features are determined by both the symbiotic relationship and host type. Moreover, analyses of the genome of an AOA suggest that microbes play different roles in biochemical cycles in the sponge body. Our findings provide new insights into invertebrate-associated bacteria in cold seep environments. As the most ancient metazoan, sponges have established close relationships with particular microbial symbionts. However, the characteristics and physiology of thioautotrophic symbionts in deep-sea sponges are largely unknown. Using a tailored “differential coverage binning” method on 22-Gb metagenomic sequences, we recovered the nearly complete genome of a sulfur-oxidizing bacterium (SOB) that dominates the microbiota of the cold seep sponge Suberites sp. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that this bacterium (an unclassified gammaproteobacterium termed “Gsub”) may represent a new deep-sea SOB group. Microscopic observations suggest that Gsub is probably an extracellular symbiont. Gsub has complete sulfide oxidation and carbon fixation pathways, suggesting a chemoautotrophic lifestyle. Comparative genomics with other sponge-associated SOB and free-living SOB revealed significant genome reduction in Gsub, characterized by the loss of genes for carbohydrate metabolism, motility, DNA repair, and osmotic stress response. Intriguingly, this scenario of genome reduction is highly similar to those of the endosymbionts in deep-sea clams. However, Gsub has retained genes for phage defense and protein secretion, with the latter potentially playing a role in interactions with the sponge host. In addition, we recovered the genome of an ammonia-oxidizing archaeon (AOA), which may carry out ammonia oxidation and carbon fixation within the sponge body. IMPORTANCE Sponges and their symbionts are important players in the biogeochemical cycles of marine environments. As a unique habitat within marine ecosystems, cold seeps have received considerable interest in recent years. This study explores the lifestyle of a new symbiotic SOB in a cold seep sponge. The results demonstrate that both this sponge symbiont and endosymbionts in deep-sea clams employ similar strategies of genome reduction. However, this bacterium has retained unique functions for immunity and defense. Thus, the functional features are determined by both the symbiotic relationship and host type. Moreover, analyses of the genome of an AOA suggest that microbes play different roles in biochemical cycles in the sponge body. Our findings provide new insights into invertebrate-associated bacteria in cold seep environments.
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