Chemical ecology of marine plankton

Impact of Marine Chemical Ecology Research on the Discovery and Development of New Pharmaceuticals

Diverse ecologically important metabolites, such as allelochemicals, infochemicals and volatile organic chemicals, are involved in marine organismal interactions. Chemically mediated interactions between intra- and interspecific organisms can have a significant impact on community organization, population structure and ecosystem functioning. Advances in analytical techniques, microscopy and genomics are providing insights on the chemistry and functional roles of the metabolites involved in such interactions. This review highlights the targeted translational value of several marine chemical ecology-driven research studies and their impact on the sustainable discovery of novel therapeutic agents. These chemical ecology-based approaches include activated defense, allelochemicals arising from organismal interactions, spatio-temporal variations of allelochemicals and phylogeny-based approaches. In addition, innovative analytical techniques used in the mapping of surface metabolites as well as in metabolite translocation within marine holobionts are summarized. Chemical information related to the maintenance of the marine symbioses and biosyntheses of specialized compounds can be harnessed for biomedical applications, particularly in microbial fermentation and compound production. Furthermore, the impact of climate change on the chemical ecology of marine organisms—especially on the production, functionality and perception of allelochemicals—and its implications on drug discovery efforts will be presented.

Interspecific competition between the bloom-causing dinoflagellates Hetrocapsa bohaiensis and the local species Chlorella pyrenoidosa

Harmful algal blooms caused by Heterocapsa bohaiensis have broken out in aquaculture areas near Liaodong Bay, China, since 2012, resulting in mass mortality of Eriocheir sinensis larvae and substantial economic loss. Chlorella pyrenoidosa is a local phytoplankton species that is found in aquaculture ponds. However, the reason why H. bohaiensis dominated and proliferated in the phytoplankton community remains unknown. Previous studies have revealed the toxicity and hemolytic activity of H. bohaiensis. It is suspected that the out-competition of H. bohaiensis to C. pyrenoidosa was associated with toxicity. Filtrate and bi-algal cultures were investigated to determine the interspecific competition between H. bohaiensis and C. pyrenoidosa in this study. Filtrate experiments revealed that H. bohaiensis showed no toxin allelopathy in C. pyrenoidosa. However, the C. pyrenoidosa filtrates had significant allelopathic effects on the growth of H. bohaiensis. The bi-algal culture experiments and the simulation showed that the dominant species were dependent on the initial cell density ratios of the species and nutrient ratios. Therefore, H. bohaiensis achieved competitive advantage through exploitation competition but not allelopathy. The results contribute to the reasons for the occurrence of H. bohaiensis blooms in a further study.

Changes in Toxin Production, Morphology and Viability of Gymnodinium catenatum Associated with Allelopathy of Chattonella marina var. marina and Gymnodinium impudicum

Allelopathy between phytoplankton organisms is promoted by substances released into the marine environment that limit the presence of the dominating species. We evaluated the allelopathic effects and response of cell-free media of Chattonella marina var. marina and Gymnodinium impudicum in the toxic dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum. Additionally, single- and four-cell chains of G. catenatum isolated from media with allelochemicals were cultured to evaluate the effects of post exposure on growth and cell viability. Cell diagnosis showed growth limitation and an increase in cell volume, which reduced mobility and led to cell lysis. When G. catenatum was exposed to cell-free media of C. marina and G. impudicum, temporary cysts and an increased concentration of paralytic shellfish toxins were observed. After exposure to allelochemicals, the toxin profile of G. catenatum cells in the allelopathy experiments was composed of gonyautoxins 2/3 (GTX2/3), decarcarbamoyl (dcSTX, dcGTX2/3), and the sulfocarbamoyl toxins (B1 and C1/2). A difference in toxicity (pg STXeq cell−1) was observed between G. catenatum cells in the control and those exposed to the filtrates of C. marina var. marina and G. impudicum. Single cells of G. catenatum had a lower growth rate, whereas chain-forming cells had a higher growth rate. We suggest that a low number of G. catenatum cells can survive the allelopathic effect. We hypothesize that the survival strategy of G. catenatum is migration through the chemical cloud, encystment, and increased toxicity.

Algal volatiles - the overlooked chemical language of aquatic primary producers

Volatiles are important 'infochemicals' that play a crucial role in structuring life on our planet, fulfilling diverse functions in natural and artificial systems. Algae contribute significant quantities to the global budget of volatiles, but the ecological roles of aquatic volatiles are not well understood. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of volatile compounds from freshwater and marine microalgae and marine macroalgae, with a focus on their ecological roles. We highlight the multiple reported functions of biogenic volatiles, ranging from intraspecific communication for reproduction, intra-bloom signalling and antioxidant functions, to various interspecific signal exchanges that may allow herbivores to locate them and function in defence against competitors and predators. Beyond reviewing our current understanding, we specifically highlight major knowledge gaps and emerging questions for algal volatile research. These novel perspectives have the potential to improve our understanding of aquatic ecosystems and thus need to be addressed in future research. Filling these gaps and addressing these questions will facilitate humanity's efforts to exploit aquatic volatiles in various applications.

Microbial metabolites in the marine carbon cycle

One-quarter of photosynthesis-derived carbon on Earth rapidly cycles through a set of short-lived seawater metabolites that are generated from the activities of marine phytoplankton, bacteria, grazers and viruses. Here we discuss the sources of microbial metabolites in the surface ocean, their roles in ecology and biogeochemistry, and approaches that can be used to analyse them from chemistry, biology, modelling and data science. Although microbial-derived metabolites account for only a minor fraction of the total reservoir of marine dissolved organic carbon, their flux and fate underpins the central role of the ocean in sustaining life on Earth.

Characterization of allelopathic compounds from the harmful dinoflagellate, Cochlodinium geminatum

In 2006, species of Cochlodinium geminatum were first recorded as new, harmful algal bloom (HAB)-forming dinoflagellate, in the Pearl River Estuary, China. Previous studies indicated that allelopathy (the release of chemical compounds) is an important competitive strategy for C. geminatum in inhibiting the growth of phytoplankton competitors, however, little is known about the allelochemicals produced by this species. In this study, allelopathic compounds were characterized using a series of chromatographic techniques. Methanol extracts from cultures showed significant inhibitory effects towards the co-occurring phytoplankton, Akashiwo sanguinea, and potent hemolytic activity against rabbit erythrocytes. Solid phase extraction (SPE) fractions from a reverse phase SPE column, exhibited inhibitory and synergistic effects on A. sanguinea growth, of which fractions eluted in 80% and 100% methanol showed the strongest allelopathic activity. These fractions were further purified using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and six fractions were collected. Three fractions displayed strong inhibitory effects towards A. sanguinea, with 14%-25% inhibitory rates, but a higher 35% inhibitory rate was observed when fractions were combined, suggesting allelochemicals had synergistic allelopathic effects. Allelopathic activity also exhibited time dependent reduction when stored at -20°C. Furthermore, trypsin digestion and dialysis assays indicated C. geminatum produced multiple allelopathic compounds. Our study demonstrated that species of C. geminatum produced and released multiple allelopathic compounds of low polarity and sufficient hydrophilicity, which elicit important competitive advantages by inhibiting co-occurring phytoplankton, and promoting population growth.

Sound perception and its effects in plants and algae

Life evolved in an acoustic world. Sound is perceived in different ways by the species that inhabit the Planet. Among organisms, also some algal species seem to respond to sound stimuli with increased cell growth and productivity. The purpose of this Short Communication is to provide an overview of the current literature about various organisms and sound, with particular attention to algal organisms, which, when subjected to sound applications, can change their metabolism accordingly.

Cell density-dependent suppression on the development and photosynthetic activities of Sargassum fusiformis embryos by dinoflagellate Karenia mikimotoi

Lots of research has demonstrated that macroalgae can strongly inhibit the growth of harmful algal bloom (HAB) species in general. However, the effects of HABs or HAB-forming species on macrophytes are still largely uncharacterized until now. In the present study, the effects of the dinoflagellate Karenia mikimotoi cell density gradient, live cell suspension (LC), ruptured cell suspension (RC) as well as the cell-free supernatant (FC) of K. mikimotoi at 1000 μg Chla l-1 (~1.0 × 105 cells ml-1) on the development and photosynthesis of Sargassum fusiforme embryos were investigated in a series of laboratory experiments. The results showed that co-cultivation with K. mikimotoi at 500 μg Chla l-1(~5.0 × 104 cells ml-1) and higher cell densities significantly (P<0.05) inhibited the development, pigment content and photosynthetic activities of the embryos. In addition, the inhibitory effects increased with increased cell densities and prolonged exposure time. Compared to the embryos cultured with the F/2 medium (Control), exposure to LC, RC and FC of K. mikimotoi at 1000 μg Chla l-1for 2 weeks all led to decreased relative growth rate (RGR), chlorophyll (Chl) a content, carotenoids (Car) content and photosynthetic activities of the embryos, with LC and RC exhibiting the maximal and the minimal suppression. The dominant inhibitory effects of FC on the embryos indicated that the suppression was mainly caused by the allelochemicals, while the slightest inhibitory effects of RC on the embryos suggested that some intracellular growth-promoting substances were synchronously released when K. mikimotoi cells lyzed. In addition, the most severe growth suppression of embryos by LC indicated that intact cell contact by K. mikimotoi probably also contributed to the inhibitory effects. These results indicated that a dense HAB formed by K. mikimotoi could seriously suppress the development and photosynthesis of S. fusiforme embryos and eventually reduce the seedlings stock.

Identification to species level of live single microalgal cells from plankton samples with matrix-free laser/desorption ionization mass spectrometry

INTRODUCTION

Marine planktonic communities are complex microbial consortia often dominated by microscopic algae. The taxonomic identification of individual phytoplankton cells usually relies on their morphology and demands expert knowledge. Recently, a live single-cell mass spectrometry (LSC-MS) pipeline was developed to generate metabolic profiles of microalgae.

OBJECTIVE

Taxonomic identification of diverse microalgal single cells from collection strains and plankton samples based on the metabolic fingerprints analyzed with matrix-free laser desorption/ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry.

METHODS

Matrix-free atmospheric pressure laser-desorption ionization mass spectrometry was performed to acquire single-cell mass spectra from collection strains and prior identified environmental isolates. The computational identification of microalgal species was performed by spectral pattern matching (SPM). Three similarity scores and a bootstrap-derived confidence score were evaluated in terms of their classification performance. The effects of high and low-mass resolutions on the classification success were evaluated.

RESULTS

Several hundred single-cell mass spectra from nine genera and nine species of marine microalgae were obtained. SPM enabled the identification of single cells at the genus and species level with high accuracies. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves indicated a good performance of the similarity measures but were outperformed by the bootstrap-derived confidence scores.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to solve taxonomic identification of microalgae based on the metabolic fingerprints of the individual cell using an SPM approach.

Marine chemical ecology in benthic environments

Covering: Most of 2013 up to the end of 2015 This review highlights the 2013-2015 marine chemical ecology literature for benthic bacteria and cyanobacteria, macroalgae, sponges, cnidarians, molluscs, other benthic invertebrates, and fish.

Characterization of allelochemicals of the diatom Chaetoceros curvisetus and the effects on the growth of Skeletonema costatum

Allelopathy has been regarded as chemical weapons for marine phytoplankton that enhanced competition ability in stressful conditions, especially during blooms. In a previous study, Chaetoceros curvisetus achieved growth advantage to Skeletonema costatum by producing allelochemicals. However, C. curvisetus allelochemicals have never been isolated and characterized until now. In this study the extraction and purification conditions were systematically optimized and C. curvisetus filtrate extracts were used to assess bioactive effects on the growth of S. costatum. The preliminary results showed that filtrates of C. curvisetus in exponential phase extracted under a temperature lower than 50°C could ensure a stronger activity of allelochemicals. Ethyl acetate extraction showed significant allelopathic effect and the wavelength of characteristic absorption was 255-260nm. Then C. curvisetus allelochemicals were isolated by Si-SPE, Sephadex-25 columns and C18 column and identified by HPLC-electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI TOFMS). It was found that the molecular weight of C. curvisetus allelochemicals was 314 and the allelochemical was supposed to be 2- ((2-cyanophenyl) amino)-2-oxoethyl,3-cyclohexyl propanoate.

Chemical ecology of the marine plankton

A review of chemically mediated interactions in planktonic marine environments covering new studies from January 2015 to December 2017.

Small Polar Molecules: A Challenge in Marine Chemical Ecology

Due to increasing evidence of key chemically mediated interactions in marine ecosystems, a real interest in the characterization of the metabolites involved in such intra and interspecific interactions has emerged over the past decade. Nevertheless, only a small number of studies have succeeded in identifying the chemical structure of compounds of interest. One reason for this low success rate is the small size and extremely polar features of many of these chemical compounds. Indeed, a major challenge in the search for active metabolites is the extraction of small polar compounds from seawater. Yet, a full characterization of those metabolites is necessary to understand the interactions they mediate. In this context, the study presented here aims to provide a methodology for the characterization of highly polar, low molecular weight compounds in a seawater matrix that could provide guidance for marine ecologists in their efforts to identify active metabolites. This methodology was applied to the investigation of the chemical structure of an algicidal compound secreted by the bacteria Shewanella sp. IRI-160 that was previously shown to induce programmed cell death in dinoflagellates. The results suggest that the algicidal effects may be attributed to synergistic effects of small amines (ammonium, 4-aminobutanal) derived from the catabolization of putrescine produced in large quantities (0.05–6.5 fmol/cell) by Shewanella sp. IRI-160.

Karenia brevis allelopathy compromises the lipidome, membrane integrity, and photosynthesis of competitors

The formation, propagation, and maintenance of harmful algal blooms are of interest due to their negative effects on marine life and human health. Some bloom-forming algae utilize allelopathy, the release of compounds that inhibit competitors, to exclude other species dependent on a common pool of limiting resources. Allelopathy is hypothesized to affect bloom dynamics and is well established in the red tide dinoflagellate Karenia brevis. K. brevis typically suppresses competitor growth rather than being acutely toxic to other algae. When we investigated the effects of allelopathy on two competitors, Asterionellopsis glacialis and Thalassiosira pseudonana, using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS)-based metabolomics, we found that the lipidomes of both species were significantly altered. However, A. glacialis maintained a more robust metabolism in response to K. brevis allelopathy whereas T. pseudonana exhibited significant alterations in lipid synthesis, cell membrane integrity, and photosynthesis. Membrane-associated lipids were significantly suppressed for T. pseudonana exposed to allelopathy such that membranes of living cells became permeable. K. brevis allelopathy appears to target lipid biosynthesis affecting multiple physiological pathways suggesting that exuded compounds have the ability to significantly alter competitor physiology, giving K. brevis an edge over sensitive species.

Multispecies individuals

We assess the arguments for recognising functionally integrated multispecies consortia as genuine biological individuals, including cases of so-called 'holobionts'. We provide two examples in which the same core biochemical processes that sustain life are distributed across a consortium of individuals of different species. Although the same chemistry features in both examples, proponents of the holobiont as unit of evolution would recognize one of the two cases as a multispecies individual whilst they would consider the other as a compelling case of ecological dependence between separate individuals. Some widely used arguments in support of the 'holobiont' concept apply equally to both cases, suggesting that those arguments have misidentified what is at stake when seeking to identify a new level of biological individuality. One important aspect of biological individuality is evolutionary individuality. In line with other work on the evolution of individuality, we show that our cases can be distinguished by focusing on the fitness alignment between the partners of the consortia. We conclude that much of the evidence currently presented for the ubiquity and importance of multi-species individuals is simply not to the point, at least unless the issue of biological individuality is firmly divorced from the question of evolutionary individuality.

Allelopathic interactions between the benthic toxic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata and a co-occurring diatom

For decades the microphytobenthos assemblage in the coastal Mediterranean Sea has been regularly colonized by the toxic benthic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata. This harmful algal species is a toxin producer and occupies the same ecological niche as various diatoms. Surprisingly, there are only few insights reported on the physiological responses of diatoms to blooms of O. cf. ovata The chemical interactions of O. cf. ovata with the co-occurring diatom Licmophora paradoxa was studied using a bioassay (measuring impact of cell-free culture filtrate) and a co-culture approach (separate by a membrane) to investigate the effects of the exometabolome and its mode of action. Bioassays highlighted a toxic effect of the exometabolome of O. cf. ovata on the diatom photosynthetic activity. However, the co-cultures revealed that these toxic effects do not occur through remote allelopathy. Contact or close interactions between cells of the two species is most likely needed to impair the diatom growth. Ovatoxins are suspected to be the toxic metabolites secreted by O. cf. ovata although the current set of data did not give confirmation of this assumption. Interestingly, the exometabolome of L. paradoxa impaired the growth and the photochemistry of O. cf. ovata in both bioassays and co-cultures. Some biomarkers possibly involved for the effect were identified using a metabolomic approach and may correspond to oxylipins, however a bacterial source of the bioactive metabolites is also considered.

Chemical encoding of risk perception and predator detection among estuarine invertebrates

An effective strategy for prey to survive in habitats rich in predators is to avoid being noticed. Thus, prey are under selection pressure to recognize predators and adjust their behavior, which can impact numerous community-wide interactions. Many animals in murky and turbulent aquatic environments rely on waterborne chemical cues. Previous research showed that the mud crab, Panopeus herbstii, recognizes the predatory blue crab, Callinectus sapidus, via a cue in blue crab urine. This cue is strongest if blue crabs recently preyed upon mud crabs. Subsequently, mud crabs suppress their foraging activity, reducing predation by blue crabs. Using NMR spectroscopy- and mass spectrometry-based metabolomics, chemical variation in urine from blue crabs fed different diets was related to prey behavior. We identified the urinary metabolites trigonelline and homarine as components of the cue that mud crabs use to detect blue crabs, with concentrations of each metabolite dependent on the blue crab's diet. At concentrations found naturally in blue crab urine, trigonelline and homarine, alone as well as in a mixture, alerted mud crabs to the presence of blue crabs, leading to decreased foraging by mud crabs. Risk perception by waterborne cues has been widely observed by ecologists, but the molecular nature of these cues has not been previously identified. Metabolomics provides an opportunity to study waterborne cues where other approaches have historically failed, advancing our understanding of the chemical nature of a wide range of ecological interactions.

Algae associated with coral degradation affects risk assessment in coral reef fishes

Habitat degradation alters the chemical landscape through which information about community dynamics is transmitted. Olfactory information is crucial for risk assessment in aquatic organisms as predators release odours when they capture prey that lead to an alarm response in conspecific prey. Recent studies show some coral reef fishes are unable to use alarm odours when surrounded by dead-degraded coral. Our study examines the spatial and temporal dynamics of this alarm odour-nullifying effect, and which substratum types may be responsible. Field experiments showed that settlement-stage damselfish were not able to detect alarm odours within 2 m downcurrent of degraded coral, and that the antipredator response was re-established 20-40 min after transferral to live coral. Laboratory experiments indicate that the chemicals from common components of the degraded habitats, the cyanobacteria, Okeania sp., and diatom, Pseudo-nitzschia sp.prevented an alarm odour response. The same nullifying effect was found for the common red algae, Galaxauria robusta, suggesting that the problem is of a broader nature than previously realised. Those fish species best able to compensate for a lack of olfactory risk information at key times will be those potentially most resilient to the effects of coral degradation that operate through this mechanism.

Diverse Profiles of AI-1 Type Quorum Sensing Molecules in Cultivable Bacteria from the Mangrove (Kandelia obovata) Rhizosphere Environment

Mangrove rhizosphere environment harbors diverse populations of microbes, and some evidence showed that rhizobacteria behavior was regulated by quorum sensing (QS). Investigating the diverse profiles of QS molecules in mangrove ecosystems may shed light on the bacterial roles and lead to a better understanding of the symbiotic interactions between plants and microbes. The aims of the current study focus on identifying AI-1 type QS signals, i.e., acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), in Kandelia obovata rhizosphere environment. Approximately 1200 rhizobacteria were screened and 184 strains (15.3%) tested were positive. Subsequent 16s rRNA gene sequencing and dereplication analyses identified 24 species from the positive isolates, which were affiliated to three different phyla, including Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. Thin-layer chromatography separation of extracts revealed diverse AHL profiles and detected at least one active compound in the supernatant of these 24 cultivable AHL-producers. The active extracts from these bacterial isolates were further evaluated by ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the carbon side chain length ranged from C4 to C14. This is the first report on the diversity of AI-1 type auto-inducers in the mangrove plant K. obovata, and it is imperative to expand our knowledge of plant-bacteria interactions with respect to the maintenance of wetland ecosystem health.