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Paix B, van der Valk E, de Voogd NJ. Dynamics, diversity, and roles of bacterial transmission modes during the first asexual life stages of the freshwater sponge Spongilla lacustris. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2024; 19:37. [PMID: 38851755 PMCID: PMC11162577 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-024-00580-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sponge-associated bacteria play important roles in the physiology of their host, whose recruitment processes are crucial to maintain symbiotic associations. However, the acquisition of bacterial communities within freshwater sponges is still under explored. Spongilla lacustris is a model sponge widely distributed in European rivers and lakes, producing dormant cysts (named gemmules) for their asexual reproduction, before winter. Through an in vitro experiment, this study aims to describe the dynamics of bacterial communities and their transmission modes following the hatching of these gemmules. RESULTS An overall change of bacterial β-diversity was observed through the ontology of the juvenile sponges. These temporal differences were potentially linked, first to the osculum acquisition and the development of a canal system, and then, the increasing colonization of the Chlorella-like photosymbionts. Gemmules hatching with a sterilized surface were found to have a more dispersed and less diverse microbiome, revealing the importance of gemmule epibacteria for the whole holobiont stability. These epibacteria were suggested to be vertically transmitted from the maternal tissues to the gemmule surface. Vertical transmission through the incorporation of bacterial communities inside of the gemmule, was also found as a dominant transmission mode, especially with the nitrogen fixers Terasakiellaceae. Finally, we showed that almost no ASVs were shared between the free-living community and the juveniles, suggesting that horizontal recruitment is unlikely to happen during the first stages of development. However, the free-living bacteria filtered are probably used as a source of nutrients, allowing an enrichment of copiotrophic bacteria already present within its microbiome. CONCLUSIONS This study brings new insight for a better understanding of the microbiome acquisition during the first stages of freshwater sponge development. We showed the importance of epibacterial communities on gemmules for the whole holobiont stability, and demonstrated the near absence of recruitment of free-living bacteria during the first stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Paix
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- UMR CARRTEL, INRAE - Université Savoie Mont-Blanc, Thonon-les-Bains, France.
| | - Elodie van der Valk
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Institute of Biology (IBL), Leiden University, PO Box 9505, Leiden, 2333BE, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole J de Voogd
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Institute of Biology (IBL), Leiden University, PO Box 9505, Leiden, 2333BE, The Netherlands.
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2
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Mazzella V, Dell'Anno A, Etxebarría N, González-Gaya B, Nuzzo G, Fontana A, Núñez-Pons L. High microbiome and metabolome diversification in coexisting sponges with different bio-ecological traits. Commun Biol 2024; 7:422. [PMID: 38589605 PMCID: PMC11001883 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06109-5] [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: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Marine Porifera host diverse microbial communities, which influence host metabolism and fitness. However, functional relationships between sponge microbiomes and metabolic signatures are poorly understood. We integrate microbiome characterization, metabolomics and microbial predicted functions of four coexisting Mediterranean sponges -Petrosia ficiformis, Chondrosia reniformis, Crambe crambe and Chondrilla nucula. Microscopy observations reveal anatomical differences in microbial densities. Microbiomes exhibit strong species-specific trends. C. crambe shares many rare amplicon sequence variants (ASV) with the surrounding seawater. This suggests important inputs of microbial diversity acquired by selective horizontal acquisition. Phylum Cyanobacteria is mainly represented in C. nucula and C. crambe. According to putative functions, the microbiome of P. ficiformis and C. reniformis are functionally heterotrophic, while C. crambe and C. nucula are autotrophic. The four species display distinct metabolic profiles at single compound level. However, at molecular class level they share a "core metabolome". Concurrently, we find global microbiome-metabolome association when considering all four sponge species. Within each species still, sets of microbe/metabolites are identified driving multi-omics congruence. Our findings suggest that diverse microbial players and metabolic profiles may promote niche diversification, but also, analogous phenotypic patterns of "symbiont evolutionary convergence" in sponge assemblages where holobionts co-exist in the same area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Mazzella
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Ischia Marine Centre, 80077, Ischia, Naples, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, Palermo, 90133, Italy
| | - Antonio Dell'Anno
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, Palermo, 90133, Italy.
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Néstor Etxebarría
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Basque Country, Spain
- Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology (PIE), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plentzia, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Belén González-Gaya
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Basque Country, Spain
- Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology (PIE), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plentzia, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Genoveffa Nuzzo
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Unit, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry-CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Angelo Fontana
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Unit, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry-CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia-Bld. 7, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Laura Núñez-Pons
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, Palermo, 90133, Italy.
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy.
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3
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Díez-Vives C, Riesgo A. High compositional and functional similarity in the microbiome of deep-sea sponges. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrad030. [PMID: 38365260 PMCID: PMC10837836 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrad030] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Sponges largely depend on their symbiotic microbes for their nutrition, health, and survival. This is especially true in high microbial abundance (HMA) sponges, where filtration is usually deprecated in favor of a larger association with prokaryotic symbionts. Sponge-microbiome association is substantially less understood for deep-sea sponges than for shallow water species. This is most unfortunate, since HMA sponges can form massive sponge grounds in the deep sea, where they dominate the ecosystems, driving their biogeochemical cycles. Here, we assess the microbial transcriptional profile of three different deep-sea HMA sponges in four locations of the Cantabrian Sea and compared them to shallow water HMA and LMA (low microbial abundance) sponge species. Our results reveal that the sponge microbiome has converged in a fundamental metabolic role for deep-sea sponges, independent of taxonomic relationships or geographic location, which is shared in broad terms with shallow HMA species. We also observed a large number of redundant microbial members performing the same functions, likely providing stability to the sponge inner ecosystem. A comparison between the community composition of our deep-sea sponges and another 39 species of HMA sponges from deep-sea and shallow habitats, belonging to the same taxonomic orders, suggested strong homogeneity in microbial composition (i.e. weak species-specificity) in deep sea species, which contrasts with that observed in shallow water counterparts. This convergence in microbiome composition and functionality underscores the adaptation to an extremely restrictive environment with the aim of exploiting the available resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Díez-Vives
- Department of Systems Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, c/ Darwin, 3, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Riesgo
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), c/José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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4
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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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5
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Buschi E, Dell’Anno A, Tangherlini M, Stefanni S, Lo Martire M, Núñez-Pons L, Avila C, Corinaldesi C. Rhodobacteraceae dominate the core microbiome of the sea star Odontaster validus (Koehler, 1906) in two opposite geographical sectors of the Antarctic Ocean. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1234725. [PMID: 37799611 PMCID: PMC10548270 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1234725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbiota plays essential roles in the health, physiology, and in adaptation of marine multi-cellular organisms to their environment. In Antarctica, marine organisms have a wide range of unique physiological functions and adaptive strategies, useful for coping with extremely cold conditions. However, the role of microbiota associated with Antarctic organisms in such adaptive strategies is underexplored. In the present study, we investigated the diversity and putative functions of the microbiome of the sea star Odontaster validus, one of the main keystone species of the Antarctic benthic ecosystems. We compared the whole-body bacterial microbiome of sea stars from different sites of the Antarctic Peninsula and Ross Sea, two areas located in two opposite geographical sectors of the Antarctic continent. The taxonomic composition of O. validus microbiomes changed both between and within the two Antarctic sectors, suggesting that environmental and biological factors acting both at large and local scales may influence microbiome diversity. Despite this, one bacterial family (Rhodobacteraceae) was shared among all sea star individuals from the two geographical sectors, representing up to 95% of the microbial core, and suggesting a key functional role of this taxon in holobiont metabolism and well-being. In addition, the genus Roseobacter belonging to this family was also present in the surrounding sediment, implying a potential horizontal acquisition of dominant bacterial core taxa via host-selection processes from the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Buschi
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica di Napoli “Anton Dohrn”, Fano Marine Centre, Fano, Italy
| | - Antonio Dell’Anno
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Michael Tangherlini
- Department of Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources, Stazione Zoologica di Napoli “Anton Dohrn”, Fano Marine Centre, Fano, Italy
| | - Sergio Stefanni
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica di Napoli “Anton Dohrn”, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Lo Martire
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Laura Núñez-Pons
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica di Napoli “Anton Dohrn”, Naples, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Conxita Avila
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Cinzia Corinaldesi
- Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
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6
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Gantt SE, Erwin PM. Effects of sponge-to-sponge contact on the microbiomes of three spatially competing Caribbean coral reef species. Microbiologyopen 2023; 12:e1354. [PMID: 37379422 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Sponges perform important ecosystem functions, host diverse microbial symbiont communities (microbiomes), and have been increasing in density on Caribbean coral reefs over the last decade. Sponges compete for space in coral reef communities through both morphological and allelopathic strategies, but no studies of microbiome impacts during these interactions have been conducted. Microbiome alterations mediate spatial competition in other coral reef invertebrates and may similarly impact competitive outcomes for sponges. In this study, we characterized the microbiomes of three common Caribbean sponges (Agelas tubulata, Iotrochota birotulata, and Xestospongia muta) observed to naturally interact spatially in Key Largo, Florida (USA). For each species, replicate samples were collected from sponges in contact with neighbors at the site of contact (contact) and distant from the site of contact (no contact), and from sponges spatially isolated from neighbors (control). Next-generation amplicon sequencing (V4 region of 16S rRNA) revealed significant differences in microbial community structure and diversity among sponge species, but no significant effects were observed within sponge species across all contact states and competitor pairings, indicating no large community shifts in response to direct contact. At a finer scale, particular symbiont taxa (operational taxonomic units at 97% sequence identity, OTUs) were shown to decrease significantly in some interaction pairings, suggesting localized effects for specific sponge competitors. Overall, these results revealed that direct contact during spatial competition does not significantly alter microbial community composition or structure of interacting sponges, suggesting that allelopathic interactions and competitive outcomes are not mediated by microbiome damage or destabilization.
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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, North Carolina, USA
| | - Patrick M Erwin
- Center for Marine Science and Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
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7
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Nguyen VH, Wemheuer B, Song W, Bennett H, Webster N, Thomas T. Identification, classification, and functional characterization of novel sponge-associated acidimicrobiial species. Syst Appl Microbiol 2023; 46:126426. [PMID: 37141831 DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2023.126426] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Sponges are known to harbour an exceptional diversity of uncultured microorganisms, including members of the phylum Actinobacteriota. While members of the actinobacteriotal class Actinomycetia have been studied intensively due to their potential for secondary metabolite production, the sister class of Acidimicrobiia is often more abundant in sponges. However, the taxonomy, functions, and ecological roles of sponge-associated Acidimicrobiia are largely unknown. Here, we reconstructed and characterized 22 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of Acidimicrobiia from three sponge species. These MAGs represented six novel species, belonging to five genera, four families, and two orders, which are all uncharacterized (except the order Acidimicrobiales) and for which we propose nomenclature. These six uncultured species have either only been found in sponges and/or corals and have varying degrees of specificity to their host species. Functional gene profiling indicated that these six species shared a similar potential to non-symbiotic Acidimicrobiia with respect to amino acid biosynthesis and utilization of sulfur compounds. However, sponge-associated Acidimicrobiia differed from their non-symbiotic counterparts by relying predominantly on organic rather than inorganic sources of energy, and their predicted capacity to synthesise bioactive compounds or their precursors implicated in host defence. Additionally, the species possess the genetic capacity to degrade aromatic compounds that are frequently found in sponges. The novel Acidimicrobiia may also potentially mediate host development by modulating Hedgehog signalling and by the production of serotonin, which can affect host body contractions and digestion. These results highlight unique genomic and metabolic features of six new acidimicrobiial species that potentially support a sponge-associated lifestyle.
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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
| | - Nicole Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; Australian Antarctic Division, Hobart, 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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8
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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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9
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Schmittmann L, Rahn T, Busch K, Fraune S, Pita L, Hentschel U. Stability of a dominant sponge-symbiont in spite of antibiotic-induced microbiome disturbance. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:6392-6410. [PMID: 36250983 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Marine sponges are known for their complex and stable microbiomes. However, the lack of a gnotobiotic sponge-model and experimental methods to manipulate both the host and the microbial symbionts currently limit our mechanistic understanding of sponge-microbial symbioses. We have used the North Atlantic sponge species Halichondria panicea to evaluate the use of antibiotics to generate gnotobiotic sponges. We further asked whether the microbiome can be reestablished via recolonization with the natural microbiome. Experiments were performed in marine gnotobiotic facilities equipped with a custom-made, sterile, flow-through aquarium system. Bacterial abundance dynamics were monitored qualitatively and quantitatively by 16 S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and qPCR, respectively. Antibiotics induced dysbiosis by favouring an increase of opportunistic, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, resulting in more complex, but less specific bacteria-bacteria interactions than in untreated sponges. The abundance of the dominant symbiont, Candidatus Halichondribacter symbioticus, remained overall unchanged, reflecting its obligately symbiotic nature. Recolonization with the natural microbiome could not reverse antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. However, single bacterial taxa that were transferred, successfully recolonized the sponge and affected bacteria-bacteria interactions. By experimentally manipulating microbiome composition, we could show the stability of a sponge-symbiont clade despite microbiome dysbiosis. This study contributes to understanding both host-bacteria and bacteria-bacteria interactions in the sponge holobiont.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Schmittmann
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD3 Marine Ecology, RU Marine Symbioses, Kiel, Germany
| | - Tanja Rahn
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD3 Marine Ecology, RU Marine Symbioses, Kiel, Germany
| | - Kathrin Busch
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD3 Marine Ecology, RU Marine Symbioses, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sebastian Fraune
- Heinrich-Heine-University, Zoology and Organismic Interactions, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lucía Pita
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD3 Marine Ecology, RU Marine Symbioses, Kiel, Germany.,Institut de Ciències del Mar - CSIC, Marine Biology and Oceanography, Marine Biogeochemistry, Atmosphere and Climate, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ute Hentschel
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD3 Marine Ecology, RU Marine Symbioses, Kiel, Germany.,Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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10
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Taylor JA, Díez-Vives C, Nielsen S, Wemheuer B, Thomas T. Communality in microbial stress response and differential metabolic interactions revealed by time-series analysis of sponge symbionts. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:2299-2314. [PMID: 35229422 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The diversity and function of sponge-associated symbionts is now increasingly understood, however, we lack an understanding on how they dynamically behave to ensure holobiont stability in the face of environmental variation. Here we performed a metatransciptomics analysis of three microbial symbionts of the sponge Cymbastela concentrica in situ over 14 months and through differential gene expression and correlation analysis to environmental variables uncovered differences that speak to their metabolic activities and level of symbiotic and environmental interactions. The nitrite-oxidising Ca. Porinitrospira cymbastela maintained a seemingly stable metabolism, with the few differentially expressed genes related only to stress responses. The heterotrophic Ca. Porivivens multivorans displayed differential use of holobiont-derived compounds and respiration modes, while the ammonium-oxidising archaeon Ca. Nitrosopumilus cymbastelus differentially expressed genes related to phosphate metabolism and symbiosis effectors. One striking similarity between the symbionts was their similar variation in expression of stress-related genes. Our timeseries study showed that the microbial community of C. concentrica undertakes dynamic gene expression adjustments in response to the surroundings, tuned to deal with general stress and metabolic interactions between holobiont members. The success of these dynamic adjustments likely underpins the stability of the sponge holobiont and may provide resilience against environmental change. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Taylor
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Cristina Díez-Vives
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain
| | - Shaun Nielsen
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bernd Wemheuer
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Torsten Thomas
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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11
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Burgsdorf I, Sizikov S, Squatrito V, Britstein M, Slaby BM, Cerrano C, Handley KM, Steindler L. Lineage-specific energy and carbon metabolism of sponge symbionts and contributions to the host carbon pool. THE ISME JOURNAL 2021; 16:1163-1175. [PMID: 34876682 PMCID: PMC8941161 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-021-01165-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Marine sponges host a wide diversity of microorganisms, which have versatile modes of carbon and energy metabolism. In this study we describe the major lithoheterotrophic and autotrophic processes in 21 microbial sponge-associated phyla using novel and existing genomic and transcriptomic datasets. We show that the main microbial carbon fixation pathways in sponges are the Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle (energized by light in Cyanobacteria, by sulfur compounds in two orders of Gammaproteobacteria, and by a wide range of compounds in filamentous Tectomicrobia), the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle (used by Nitrospirota), and the 3-hydroxypropionate/4-hydroxybutyrate cycle (active in Thaumarchaeota). Further, we observed that some sponge symbionts, in particular Acidobacteria, are capable of assimilating carbon through anaplerotic processes. The lithoheterotrophic lifestyle was widespread and CO oxidation is the main energy source for sponge lithoheterotrophs. We also suggest that the molybdenum-binding subunit of dehydrogenase (encoded by coxL) likely evolved to benefit also organoheterotrophs that utilize various organic substrates. Genomic potential does not necessarily inform on actual contribution of autotrophs to light and dark carbon budgets. Radioisotope assays highlight variability in the relative contributions of photo- and chemoautotrophs to the total carbon pool across different sponge species, emphasizing the importance of validating genomic potential with physiology experimentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Burgsdorf
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - S Sizikov
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - V Squatrito
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - M Britstein
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - B M Slaby
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD3 Marine Ecology, RU Marine Symbioses, Kiel, Germany
| | - C Cerrano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - K M Handley
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - L Steindler
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
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12
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Cerrano C, Giovine M, Steindler L. Petrosia ficiformis (Poiret, 1789): an excellent model for holobiont and biotechnological studies. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 74:61-65. [PMID: 34800848 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The aggregation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells has resulted in evolution of organisms with remarkable abilities to synthetize natural bioactive compounds of biotechnological relevance. Marine sponges such as Petrosia ficiformis are examples of this evolutionary strategy. The P. ficiformis microbiome, which produces a diversity of chemical compounds, plays a fundamental role in this sponge's extraordinary adaptation to various ecological conditions. The microbial community of P. ficiformis seems representative of sponge microbiomes, but it has an unusual exclusively horizontal transmission. This uncommon feature, together with its wide environmental distribution, its ability to generate 3D cell cultures that host symbionts, and the availability of meta-omics and physiology information make this sponge an effective model to study the complexity of holobionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Cerrano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anthon Dohrn, 80121 Napoli, Italy; Fano Marine Center, 61032 Fano, Italy
| | - Marco Giovine
- DISTAV-Department of Sciences of Earth, Environment and Life, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Laura Steindler
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
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13
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Vad J, Barnhill KA, Kazanidis G, Roberts JM. Human impacts on deep-sea sponge grounds: Applying environmental omics to monitoring. ADVANCES IN MARINE BIOLOGY 2021; 89:53-78. [PMID: 34583815 DOI: 10.1016/bs.amb.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Sponges (Phylum Porifera) are the oldest extant Metazoans. In the deep sea, sponges can occur at high densities forming habitats known as sponge grounds. Sponge grounds can extend over large areas of up to hundreds of km2 and are biodiversity hotspots. However, as human activities, including deep-water hydrocarbon extraction, continue to expand into areas harbouring sponge grounds, understanding how anthropogenic impacts affect sponges and the ecosystem services they provide at multiple biological scales (community, individual and (sub)cellular levels) is key for achieving sustainable management. This chapter (1) provides an update to the chapter of Advances in Marine Biology Volume 79 entitled "Potential Impacts of Offshore Oil and Gas Activities on Deep-Sea Sponges and the Habitats They Form" and (2) discusses the use of omics as a future tool for deep-sea ecosystem monitoring. While metagenomics and (meta)transcriptomics studies have contributed to improve our understanding of sponge biology in recent years, metabolomics analysis has mostly been used to identify natural products. The sponge metabolome, therefore, remains vastly unknown despite the fact that the metabolome is a key link between the genotype and phenotype, giving us a unique new insight to how key components of an ecosystem are functioning. As the fraction of the metabolome released into the seawater, the sponge exometabolome has only just started to be characterised in comparative environmental metabolomic studies. Yet, the sponge exometabolome constitute a unique opportunity for the identification of biomarkers of sponge health as compounds can be measured in seawater, bypassing the need for physical samples which can still be difficult to collect in the deep sea. Within sponge grounds, the characterisation of a shared sponge exometabolome could lead to the identification of biomarkers of ecosystem functioning and overall health. Challenges remain in establishing omics approaches in environmental monitoring but constant technological advances and reduction in costs means these techniques will become widely available in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanne Vad
- Changing Ocean Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - Kelsey Archer Barnhill
- Changing Ocean Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Georgios Kazanidis
- Changing Ocean Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - J Murray Roberts
- Changing Ocean Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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14
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Mallott EK, Amato KR. Host specificity of the gut microbiome. Nat Rev Microbiol 2021; 19:639-653. [PMID: 34045709 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-021-00562-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Developing general principles of host-microorganism interactions necessitates a robust understanding of the eco-evolutionary processes that structure microbiota. Phylosymbiosis, or patterns of microbiome composition that can be predicted by host phylogeny, is a unique framework for interrogating these processes. Identifying the contexts in which phylosymbiosis does and does not occur facilitates an evaluation of the relative importance of different ecological processes in shaping the microbial community. In this Review, we summarize the prevalence of phylosymbiosis across the animal kingdom on the basis of the current literature and explore the microbial community assembly processes and related host traits that contribute to phylosymbiosis. We find that phylosymbiosis is less prevalent in taxonomically richer microbiomes and hypothesize that this pattern is a result of increased stochasticity in the assembly of complex microbial communities. We also note that despite hosting rich microbiomes, mammals commonly exhibit phylosymbiosis. We hypothesize that this pattern is a result of a unique combination of mammalian traits, including viviparous birth, lactation and the co-evolution of haemochorial placentas and the eutherian immune system, which compound to ensure deterministic microbial community assembly. Examining both the individual and the combined importance of these traits in driving phylosymbiosis provides a new framework for research in this area moving forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth K Mallott
- Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Katherine R Amato
- Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
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15
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Mutalipassi M, Riccio G, Mazzella V, Galasso C, Somma E, Chiarore A, de Pascale D, Zupo V. Symbioses of Cyanobacteria in Marine Environments: Ecological Insights and Biotechnological Perspectives. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:227. [PMID: 33923826 PMCID: PMC8074062 DOI: 10.3390/md19040227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are a diversified phylum of nitrogen-fixing, photo-oxygenic bacteria able to colonize a wide array of environments. In addition to their fundamental role as diazotrophs, they produce a plethora of bioactive molecules, often as secondary metabolites, exhibiting various biological and ecological functions to be further investigated. Among all the identified species, cyanobacteria are capable to embrace symbiotic relationships in marine environments with organisms such as protozoans, macroalgae, seagrasses, and sponges, up to ascidians and other invertebrates. These symbioses have been demonstrated to dramatically change the cyanobacteria physiology, inducing the production of usually unexpressed bioactive molecules. Indeed, metabolic changes in cyanobacteria engaged in a symbiotic relationship are triggered by an exchange of infochemicals and activate silenced pathways. Drug discovery studies demonstrated that those molecules have interesting biotechnological perspectives. In this review, we explore the cyanobacterial symbioses in marine environments, considering them not only as diazotrophs but taking into consideration exchanges of infochemicals as well and emphasizing both the chemical ecology of relationship and the candidate biotechnological value for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Mutalipassi
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy; (G.R.); (C.G.); (D.d.P.)
| | - Gennaro Riccio
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy; (G.R.); (C.G.); (D.d.P.)
| | - Valerio Mazzella
- Department of Integrated Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy;
| | - Christian Galasso
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy; (G.R.); (C.G.); (D.d.P.)
| | - Emanuele Somma
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Ischia Marine Centre, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Punta San Pietro, 80077 Naples, Italy;
| | - Antonia Chiarore
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy;
| | - Donatella de Pascale
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy; (G.R.); (C.G.); (D.d.P.)
| | - Valerio Zupo
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Ischia Marine Centre, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Punta San Pietro, 80077 Naples, Italy;
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16
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de Oliveira BFR, Freitas-Silva J, Sánchez-Robinet C, Laport MS. Transmission of the sponge microbiome: moving towards a unified model. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2020; 12:619-638. [PMID: 33048474 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Sponges have co-evolved for millions of years alongside several types of microorganisms, which aside from participating in the animal's diet, are mostly symbionts. Since most of the genetic repertoire in the holobiont genome is provided by microbes, it is expected that the host-associated microbiome will be at least partially heritable. Sponges can therefore acquire their symbionts in different ways. Both vertical transmission (VT) and horizontal transmission (HT) have different advantages and disadvantages in the life cycle of these invertebrates. However, a third mode of transmission, called leaky vertical transmission or mixed mode of transmission (MMT), which incorporates both VT and HT modes, has gained relevance and seems to be the most robust model. In that regard, the aim of this review is to present the evolving knowledge on these main modes of transmission of the sponge microbiome. Our conclusions lead us to suggest that MMT may be more common for all sponges, with its frequency varying across the transmission spectrum between species and the environment. This hybrid model supports the stable and specific transmission of these microbial partners and reinforces their assistance in the resilience of sponges over the years.
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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
| | - Jéssyca Freitas-Silva
- 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
| | - Claudia Sánchez-Robinet
- 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
| | - 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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