1
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Casero MC, Herrero MÁ, De la Roche JP, Quesada A, Velázquez D, Cirés S. Effect of salinity on scytonemin yield in endolithic cyanobacteria from the Atacama Desert. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9731. [PMID: 38679613 PMCID: PMC11056366 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60499-4] [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: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria inhabiting extreme environments constitute a promising source for natural products with biotechnological applications. However, they have not been studied in-depth for this purpose due to the difficulties in their isolation and mass culturing. The Atacama Desert suffers one of the highest solar irradiances that limits the presence of life on its hyperarid core to endolithic microbial communities supported by cyanobacteria as primary producers. Some of these cyanobacteria are known to produce scytonemin, a UV-screening liposoluble pigment with varied biotechnological applications in cosmetics and other industries. In this work we carried out a strain selection based on growth performance among 8 endolithic cyanobacteria of the genera Chroococcidiopsis, Gloeocapsa and Gloeocapsopsis isolated from non-saline rocks of the Atacama Desert. Then we investigated the influence of NaCl exposure on scytonemin production yield. Results in the selected strain (Chroococcidiopsis sp. UAM571) showed that rising concentrations of NaCl lead to a growth decrease while triggering a remarkable increase in the scytonemin content, reaching maximum values at 20 g L-1 of NaCl over 50-fold higher scytonemin contents than those obtained without NaCl. Altogether, these findings point out to cyanobacteria from the Atacama Desert as potentially suitable candidates for pilot-scale cultivation with biotechnological purposes, particularly to obtain scytonemin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Antonio Quesada
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28014, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Velázquez
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28014, Madrid, Spain
| | - Samuel Cirés
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28014, Madrid, Spain.
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2
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Roncero-Ramos B, Savaglia V, Durieu B, Van de Vreken I, Richel A, Wilmotte A. Ecophysiological and genomic approaches to cyanobacterial hardening for restoration. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2024; 60:465-482. [PMID: 38373045 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13436] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria inhabit extreme environments, including drylands, providing multiple benefits to the ecosystem. Soil degradation in warm drylands is increasing due to land use intensification. Restoration methods adapted to the extreme stress in drylands are being developed, such as cyanobacteria inoculation to recover biocrusts. For this type of restoration method to be a success, it is crucial to optimize the survival of inoculated cyanobacteria in the field. One strategy is to harden them to be acclimated to stressful conditions after laboratory culturing. Here, we analyzed the genome and ecophysiological response to osmotic desiccation and UVR stresses of an Antarctic cyanobacterium, Stenomitos frigidus ULC029, which is closely related to other cyanobacteria from warm and cold dryland soils. Chlorophyll a concentrations showed that preculturing ULC029 under moderate osmotic stress improved its survival during an assay of desiccation plus rehydration under UVR. Additionally, its sequential exposure to these stress factors increased the production of exopolysaccharides, carotenoids, and scytonemin. Desiccation, but not osmotic stress, increased the concentrations of the osmoprotectants trehalose and sucrose. However, osmotic stress might induce the production of other osmoprotectants, for which the complete pathways were observed in the ULC029 genome. In total, 140 genes known to be involved in stress resistance were annotated. Here, we confirm that the sequential application of moderate osmotic stress and dehydration could improve cyanobacterial hardening for soil restoration by inducing several resistance mechanisms. We provide a high-quality genome of ULC029 and a description of the main resistance mechanisms (i.e., production of exopolysaccharides, osmoprotectants, chlorophyll, and carotenoids; DNA repair; and oxidative stress protection).
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Roncero-Ramos
- InBios-Molecular Diversity and Ecology of Cyanobacteria, University of Liège, Liege, Belgium
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Valentina Savaglia
- InBios-Molecular Diversity and Ecology of Cyanobacteria, University of Liège, Liege, Belgium
- Laboratory of Protistology & Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Benoit Durieu
- InBios-Molecular Diversity and Ecology of Cyanobacteria, University of Liège, Liege, Belgium
| | | | - Aurore Richel
- TERRA-Biomass and Green Technologies, University of Liège, Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Annick Wilmotte
- InBios-Molecular Diversity and Ecology of Cyanobacteria, University of Liège, Liege, Belgium
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3
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Tamamizu K, Sakamoto T, Kurashige Y, Nozue S, Kumazaki S. Scytonemin redox status in a filamentous cyanobacterium visualized by an excitation-laser-line-scanning spontaneous Raman scattering spectral microscope. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2023; 290:122258. [PMID: 36571864 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2022.122258] [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: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Some cyanobacteria produce a UVA-absorbing pigment, scytonemin, at extracellular sheaths. Although scytonemin-containing dark sheaths are recognizable through optical microscopes and its redox changes have been known for decades, there has been no report to obtain images of both oxidized and reduced scytonemins at subcellular resolution. Here, we show that a spontaneous Raman scattering spectral microscopy based on an excitation-laser-line-scanning method unveil 3D subcellular distributions of both the oxidized and reduced scytonemins in a filamentous cyanobacterium. The redox changes of scytonemin were supported by comparison in the Raman spectra between the cyanobacterial cells, solid-state scytonemin and quantum chemical normal mode analysis. Distributions of carotenoids, phycobilins, and the two redox forms of scytonemin were simultaneously visualized with an excitation wavelength at 1064 nm that is virtually free from the optical screening by the dark sheaths. The redox differentiation of scytonemin will advance our understanding of the redox homeostasis and secretion mechanisms of individual cyanobacteria as well as microscopic chemical environments in various microbial communities. The line-scanning Raman microscopy based on the 1064 nm excitation is thus a promising tool for exploring hitherto unreported Raman spectral features and distribution of nonfluorescent molecules embedded below nontransparent layers for visible light, while avoiding interference by autofluorescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouto Tamamizu
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Toshio Sakamoto
- School of Biological Science and Technology, College of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Yuki Kurashige
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Shuho Nozue
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Shigeichi Kumazaki
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
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4
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Tamre E, Fournier GP. Inferred ancestry of scytonemin biosynthesis proteins in cyanobacteria indicates a response to Paleoproterozoic oxygenation. GEOBIOLOGY 2022; 20:764-775. [PMID: 35851984 PMCID: PMC9796282 DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Protection from radiation damage is an important adaptation for phototrophic microbes. Living in surface, shallow water, and peritidal environments, cyanobacteria are especially exposed to long-wavelength ultraviolet (UVA) radiation. Several groups of cyanobacteria within these environments are protected from UVA damage by the production of the pigment scytonemin. Paleontological evidence of cyanobacteria in UVA-exposed environments from the Proterozoic, and possibly as early as the Archaean, suggests a long evolutionary history of radiation protection within this group. We show that phylogenetic analyses of enzymes in the scytonemin biosynthesis pathway support this hypothesis and reveal a deep history of vertical inheritance of this pathway within extant cyanobacterial diversity. Referencing this phylogeny to cyanobacterial molecular clocks suggests that scytonemin production likely appeared during the early Proterozoic, soon after the Great Oxygenation Event. This timing is consistent with an adaptive scenario for the evolution of scytonemin production, wherein the threat of UVA-generated reactive oxygen species becomes significantly greater once molecular oxygen is more pervasive across photosynthetic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Tamre
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary SciencesMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Gregory P. Fournier
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary SciencesMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
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5
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He Y, Suyama TL, Kim H, Glukhov E, Gerwick WH. Discovery of Novel Tyrosinase Inhibitors From Marine Cyanobacteria. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:912621. [PMID: 35910604 PMCID: PMC9329053 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.912621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Tyrosinase, an important oxidase involved in the primary immune response in humans, can sometimes become problematic as it can catalyze undesirable oxidation reactions. Therefore, for decades there has been a strong pharmaceutical interest in the discovery of novel inhibitors of this enzyme. Recent studies have also indicated that tyrosinase inhibitors can potentially be used in the treatment of melanoma cancer. Over the years, many new tyrosinase inhibitors have been discovered from various natural sources; however, marine natural products (MNPs) have contributed only a small number of promising candidates. Therefore, in this study we focused on the discovery of new MNP tyrosinase inhibitors of marine cyanobacterial and algal origins. A colorimetric tyrosinase inhibitory assay was used to screen over 4,500 marine extracts against mushroom tyrosinase (A. bisporus). Our results revealed that scytonemin monomer (ScyM), a pure compound from our compound library and also the monomeric last-step precursor in the biosynthesis of the well-known cyanobacterial sunscreen pigment “scytonemin,” consistently showed the highest tyrosinase inhibitory score. Determination of the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) further indicated that ScyM is more potent than the commonly used commercial inhibitor standard “kojic acid” (KA; IC50 of ScyM: 4.90 μM vs. IC50 of KA: 11.31 μM). After a scaled-up chemical synthesis of ScyM as well as its O-methyl analog (ScyM-OMe), we conducted a series of follow-up studies on their structures, inhibitory properties, and mode of inhibition. Our results supported ScyM as the second case ever of a novel tyrosinase inhibitory compound based on a marine cyanobacterial natural product. The excellent in vitro performance of ScyM makes it a promising candidate for applications such as a skin-whitening agent or an adjuvant therapy for melanoma cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan He
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Yifan He,
| | - Takashi L. Suyama
- Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science, Waynesburg University, Waynesburg, PA, United States
- Takashi L. Suyama,
| | - Hyunwoo Kim
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Goyang, South Korea
| | - Evgenia Glukhov
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - William H. Gerwick
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- William H. Gerwick,
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6
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Amiri Moghaddam J, Guo H, Willing K, Wichard T, Beemelmanns C. Identification of the new prenyltransferase Ubi-297 from marine bacteria and elucidation of its substrate specificity. Beilstein J Org Chem 2022; 18:722-731. [PMID: 35821696 PMCID: PMC9235831 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.18.72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Aromatic prenylated metabolites have important biological roles and activities in all living organisms. Compared to their importance in all domains of life, we know relatively little about their substrate scopes and metabolic functions. Here, we describe a new UbiA-like prenyltransferase (Ptase) Ubi-297 encoded in a conserved operon of several bacterial taxa, including marine Flavobacteria and the genus Sacchromonospora. In silico analysis of Ubi-297 homologs indicated that members of this Ptase group are composed of several transmembrane α-helices and carry a conserved and distinct aspartic-rich Mg2+-binding domain. We heterologously produced UbiA-like Ptases from the bacterial genera Maribacter, Zobellia, and Algoriphagus in Escherichia coli. Investigation of their substrate scope uncovered the preferential farnesylation of quinoline derivatives, such as 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxylic acid (8-HQA) and quinaldic acid. The results of this study provide new insights into the abundance and diversity of Ptases in marine Flavobacteria and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamshid Amiri Moghaddam
- Chemical Biology Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology e.V., Hans-Knöll-Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Huijuan Guo
- Chemical Biology Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology e.V., Hans-Knöll-Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Karsten Willing
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology e.V., Hans-Knöll-Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Wichard
- Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Lessingstr 8, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Christine Beemelmanns
- Chemical Biology Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology e.V., Hans-Knöll-Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Biochemistry of Microbial Metabolism, Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 21–23, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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7
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Klicki K, Ferreira D, Risser D, Garcia-Pichel F. A Regulatory Linkage Between Scytonemin Production and Hormogonia Differentiation in Nostoc punctiforme. iScience 2022; 25:104361. [PMID: 35620423 PMCID: PMC9127174 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria sometimes hedge their survival bets by concurrently activating response circuits leading to different phenotypes in isogenic populations. We show that the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme responds to UV-A by concurrently producing the sunscreen scytonemin and differentiating into motile hormogonia but segregating the responses at the filament level. Mutational studies show that a four-gene partner-switching regulatory system (hcyA-D) orchestrates the cross-talk between the respective regulatory circuitries. Transcription of hormogonium genes and hcyA-D is upregulated by UVA through the scytonemin two-component regulator (scyTCR), hcyA-D being directly involved in signal transduction into the hormogonium response and its modulation by visible light. The sigma factor cascade that regulates developmental commitment to hormogonia also upregulates hcyA-D transcription and strongly suppresses scytonemin synthesis through downregulation of the scyTCR itself. Through this complex bidirectional mechanism, Nostoc can concurrently deploy two fundamentally different UV stress mitigation strategies, either hunker down or flee, in a single population. Nostoc responds to UV-A by both producing sunscreen and differentiating hormogonia The responses are, however, mutually exclusive at the single filament level A novel 4-gene system (hcyA-D) orchestrates the regulation between the two responses This affords Nostoc a bet-hedging means to both hunker down and flee UV-A stress
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Klicki
- Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, AZ 95281, USA
| | - Daniela Ferreira
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, AZ 95281, USA
| | - Douglas Risser
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA
| | - Ferran Garcia-Pichel
- Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, AZ 95281, USA
- Corresponding author
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8
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Sen S, Mallick N. Scytonemin: Unravelling major progress and prospects. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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9
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Zhou W, Vergis J, Mahmud T. EDB Gene Cluster-Dependent Indole Production Is Responsible for the Ability of Pseudomonas fluorescens NZI7 to Repel Grazing by Caenorhabditis elegans. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2022; 85:590-598. [PMID: 35077157 PMCID: PMC9328163 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c01046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The "EDB" (from "edible") gene cluster, a variant of the ebo cluster of genes found in many bacteria and algae, allows Pseudomonas fluorescens NZI7 (referred to here as "NZI7") to repel grazing by the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The mechanism underlying this phenotype is unknown. Here we report that the EDB cluster is involved in the conversion of tryptophan to (1H-indol-3-yl)-oxoacetamide, indole 3-aldehyde, and other indole-derived compounds. Inactivation of the EDB genes in NZI7 resulted in mutants that lack the ability to excrete indole-derived compounds as well as the ability to repel C. elegans. Heterologous expression of the NZI7 EDB cluster in E. coli cultivated in minimal M9 medium containing 2 mM l-tryptophan also released indole derivatives including tryptophol, 3-(hydroxyacetyl)indole, colletotryptin E, and two new dimeric indoles. Expression of the NZI7 EDB cluster in E. coli, cultured in minimal M9 medium and lacking tryptophan, did not produce detectable levels of indole derivatives. Both (1H-indol-3-yl)-oxoacetamide and indole 3-aldehyde showed repellent activity against C. elegans, revealing the mechanism underlying the ability of P. fluorescens NZI7 to repel grazing by C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-3507, United States
| | - John Vergis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-3507, United States
| | - Taifo Mahmud
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-3507, United States
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10
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Bennett J, Soule T. Expression of Scytonemin Biosynthesis Genes under Alternative Stress Conditions in the Cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020427. [PMID: 35208882 PMCID: PMC8879130 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The indole-alkaloid scytonemin is a sunscreen pigment that is widely produced among cyanobacteria as an ultraviolet radiation (UVR) survival strategy. Scytonemin biosynthesis is encoded by two gene clusters that are known to be induced by long-wavelength radiation (UVA). Previous studies have characterized the transcriptome of cyanobacteria in response to a wide range of conditions, but the effect on the expression of scytonemin biosynthesis genes has not been specifically targeted. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the variable response of scytonemin biosynthesis genes to a variety of environmental conditions. Cells were acclimated to white light before supplementation with UVA, UVB, high light, or osmotic stress for 48 h. The presence of scytonemin was determined by absorbance spectroscopy and gene expression of representative scytonemin biosynthesis genes was measured using quantitative PCR. Scytonemin genes were up-regulated in UVA, UVB, and high light, although the scytonemin pigment was not detected under high light. There was no scytonemin or upregulation of these genes under osmotic stress. The lack of pigment production under high light, despite increased gene expression, suggests a time-dependent delay for pigment production or additional mechanisms or genes that may be involved in scytonemin production beyond those currently known.
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11
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Gao X, Jing X, Liu X, Lindblad P. Biotechnological Production of the Sunscreen Pigment Scytonemin in Cyanobacteria: Progress and Strategy. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:129. [PMID: 33673485 PMCID: PMC7997468 DOI: 10.3390/md19030129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Scytonemin is a promising UV-screen and antioxidant small molecule with commercial value in cosmetics and medicine. It is solely biosynthesized in some cyanobacteria. Recently, its biosynthesis mechanism has been elucidated in the model cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme PCC 73102. The direct precursors for scytonemin biosynthesis are tryptophan and p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate, which are generated through the shikimate and aromatic amino acid biosynthesis pathway. More upstream substrates are the central carbon metabolism intermediates phosphoenolpyruvate and erythrose-4-phosphate. Thus, it is a long route to synthesize scytonemin from the fixed atmospheric CO2 in cyanobacteria. Metabolic engineering has risen as an important biotechnological means for achieving sustainable high-efficiency and high-yield target metabolites. In this review, we summarized the biochemical properties of this molecule, its biosynthetic gene clusters and transcriptional regulations, the associated carbon flux-driving progresses, and the host selection and biosynthetic strategies, with the aim to expand our understanding on engineering suitable cyanobacteria for cost-effective production of scytonemin in future practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Gao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, China;
| | - Xin Jing
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, China;
| | - Xufeng Liu
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångstrom, Uppsala University, Box 523, 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Peter Lindblad
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångstrom, Uppsala University, Box 523, 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden;
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12
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Satjarak A, Graham LE, Piotrowski MJ, Trest MT, Wilcox LW, Cook ME, Knack JJ, Arancibia-Avila P. Shotgun metagenomics and microscopy indicate diverse cyanophytes, other bacteria, and microeukaryotes in the epimicrobiota of a northern Chilean wetland Nostoc (Cyanobacteria). JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2021; 57:39-50. [PMID: 33070358 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13084] [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] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Prokaryotic Nostoc, one of the world's most conspicuous and widespread algal genera (similar to eukaryotic algae, plants, and animals) is known to support a microbiome that influences host ecological roles. Past taxonomic characterizations of surface microbiota (epimicrobiota) of free-living Nostoc sampled from freshwater systems employed 16S rRNA genes, typically amplicons. We compared taxa identified from 16S, 18S, 23S, and 28S rRNA gene sequences filtered from shotgun metagenomic sequence and used microscopy to illuminate epimicrobiota diversity for Nostoc sampled from a wetland in the northern Chilean Altiplano. Phylogenetic analysis and rRNA gene sequence abundance estimates indicated that the host was related to Nostoc punctiforme PCC 73102. Epimicrobiota were inferred to include 18 epicyanobacterial genera or uncultured taxa, six epieukaryotic algal genera, and 66 anoxygenic bacterial genera, all having average genomic coverage ≥90X. The epicyanobacteria Geitlerinemia, Oscillatoria, Phormidium, and an uncultured taxon were detected only by 16S rRNA gene; Gloeobacter and Pseudanabaena were detected using 16S and 23S; and Phormididesmis, Neosynechococcus, Symphothece, Aphanizomenon, Nodularia, Spirulina, Nodosilinea, Synechococcus, Cyanobium, and Anabaena (the latter corroborated by microscopy), plus two uncultured cyanobacterial taxa (JSC12, O77) were detected only by 23S rRNA gene sequences. Three chlamydomonad and two heterotrophic stramenopiles genera were inferred from 18S; the streptophyte green alga Chaetosphaeridium globosum was detected by microscopy and 28S rRNA genes, but not 18S rRNA genes. Overall, >60% of epimicrobial taxa were detected by markers other than 16S rRNA genes. Some algal taxa observed microscopically were not detected from sequence data. Results indicate that multiple taxonomic markers derived from metagenomic sequence data and microscopy increase epimicrobiota detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anchittha Satjarak
- Plants of Thailand Research Unit, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 103330, Thailand
| | - Linda E Graham
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
| | | | - Marie T Trest
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
| | - Lee W Wilcox
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
| | - Martha E Cook
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, 61790, USA
| | - Jennifer J Knack
- Department of Biology, University of Minnesota, Duluth, Minnesota, 55812, USA
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13
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Amador-Castro F, Rodriguez-Martinez V, Carrillo-Nieves D. Robust natural ultraviolet filters from marine ecosystems for the formulation of environmental friendlier bio-sunscreens. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 749:141576. [PMID: 33370909 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has detrimental effects on human health. It induces oxidative stress, deregulates signaling mechanisms, and produces DNA mutations, factors that ultimately can lead to the development of skin cancer. Therefore, reducing exposure to UVR is of major importance. Among available measures to diminish exposure is the use of sunscreens. However, recent studies indicate that several of the currently used filters have adverse effects on marine ecosystems and human health. This situation leads to the search for new photoprotective compounds that, apart from offering protection, are environmentally friendly. The answer may lie in the same marine ecosystems since molecules such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) and scytonemin can serve as the defense system of some marine organisms against UVR. This review will discuss the harmful effects of UVR and the mechanisms that microalgae have developed to cope with it. Then it will focus on the biological distribution, characteristics, extraction, and purification methods of MAAs and scytonemin molecules to finally assess its potential as new filters for sunscreen formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Amador-Castro
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Av. General Ramon Corona No. 2514, 45201 Zapopan, Jal., Mexico
| | - Veronica Rodriguez-Martinez
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Av. General Ramon Corona No. 2514, 45201 Zapopan, Jal., Mexico
| | - Danay Carrillo-Nieves
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Av. General Ramon Corona No. 2514, 45201 Zapopan, Jal., Mexico.
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14
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Kawasaki H, Martinac B. Mechanosensitive channels of Corynebacterium glutamicum functioning as exporters of l-glutamate and other valuable metabolites. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2020; 59:77-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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15
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Pathak J, Pandey A, Maurya PK, Rajneesh R, Sinha RP, Singh SP. Cyanobacterial Secondary Metabolite Scytonemin: A Potential Photoprotective and Pharmaceutical Compound. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s40011-019-01134-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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16
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Timing the Evolutionary Advent of Cyanobacteria and the Later Great Oxidation Event Using Gene Phylogenies of a Sunscreen. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.00561-19. [PMID: 31113897 PMCID: PMC6529634 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00561-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The biosynthesis of the unique cyanobacterial (oxyphotobacterial) indole-phenolic UVA sunscreen, scytonemin, is coded for in a conserved operon that contains both core metabolic genes and accessory, aromatic amino acid biosynthesis genes dedicated to supplying scytonemin's precursors. Comparative genomics shows conservation of this operon in many, but not all, cyanobacterial lineages. Phylogenetic analyses of the operon's aromatic amino acid genes indicate that five of them were recruited into the operon after duplication events of their respective housekeeping cyanobacterial cognates. We combined the fossil record of cyanobacteria and relaxed molecular clock models to obtain multiple estimates of these duplication events, setting a minimum age for the evolutionary advent of scytonemin at 2.1 ± 0.3 billion years. The same analyses were used to estimate the advent of cyanobacteria as a group (and thus the appearance of oxygenic photosynthesis), at 3.6 ± 0.2 billion years before present. Post hoc interpretation of 16S rRNA-based Bayesian analyses was consistent with these estimates. Because of physiological constraints on the use of UVA sunscreens in general, and the biochemical constraints of scytonemin in particular, scytonemin's age must postdate the time when Earth's atmosphere turned oxic, known as the Great Oxidation Event (GOE). Indeed, our biological estimate is in agreement with independent geochemical estimates for the GOE. The difference between the estimated ages of oxygenic photosynthesis and the GOE indicates the long span (on the order of a billion years) of the era of "oxygen oases," when oxygen was available locally but not globally.IMPORTANCE The advent of cyanobacteria, with their invention of oxygenic photosynthesis, and the Great Oxidation Event are arguably among the most important events in the evolutionary history of life on Earth. Oxygen is a significant toxicant to all life, but its accumulation in the atmosphere also enabled the successful development and proliferation of many aerobic organisms, especially metazoans. The currently favored dating of the Great Oxidation Event is based on the geochemical rock record. Similarly, the advent of cyanobacteria is also often drawn from the same estimates because in older rocks paleontological evidence is scarce or has been discredited. Efforts to obtain molecular evolutionary alternatives have offered widely divergent estimates. Our analyses provide a novel means to circumvent these limitations and allow us to estimate the large time gap between the two events.
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17
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Pathak J, Ahmed H, Rajneesh, Singh SP, Häder DP, Sinha RP. Genetic regulation of scytonemin and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) biosynthesis in cyanobacteria. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plgene.2019.100172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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18
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Ševcíková T, Yurchenko T, Fawley KP, Amaral R, Strnad H, Santos LMA, Fawley MW, Eliáš M. Plastid Genomes and Proteins Illuminate the Evolution of Eustigmatophyte Algae and Their Bacterial Endosymbionts. Genome Biol Evol 2019; 11:362-379. [PMID: 30629162 PMCID: PMC6367104 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evz004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Eustigmatophytes, a class of stramenopile algae (ochrophytes), include not only the extensively studied biotechnologically important genus Nannochloropsis but also a rapidly expanding diversity of lineages with much less well characterized biology. Recent discoveries have led to exciting additions to our knowledge about eustigmatophytes. Some proved to harbor bacterial endosymbionts representing a novel genus, Candidatus Phycorickettsia, and an operon of unclear function (ebo) obtained by horizontal gene transfer from the endosymbiont lineage was found in the plastid genomes of still other eustigmatophytes. To shed more light on the latter event, as well as to generally improve our understanding of the eustigmatophyte evolutionary history, we sequenced plastid genomes of seven phylogenetically diverse representatives (including new isolates representing undescribed taxa). A phylogenomic analysis of plastid genome-encoded proteins resolved the phylogenetic relationships among the main eustigmatophyte lineages and provided a framework for the interpretation of plastid gene gains and losses in the group. The ebo operon gain was inferred to have probably occurred within the order Eustigmatales, after the divergence of the two basalmost lineages (a newly discovered hitherto undescribed strain and the Pseudellipsoidion group). When looking for nuclear genes potentially compensating for plastid gene losses, we noticed a gene for a plastid-targeted acyl carrier protein that was apparently acquired by horizontal gene transfer from Phycorickettsia. The presence of this gene in all eustigmatophytes studied, including representatives of both principal clades (Eustigmatales and Goniochloridales), is a genetic footprint indicating that the eustigmatophyte-Phycorickettsia partnership started no later than in the last eustigmatophyte common ancestor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Ševcíková
- Department of Biology and Ecology Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Tatiana Yurchenko
- Faculty of Science, Institute of Environmental Technologies, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Karen P Fawley
- Division of Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Ozarks, Clarksville, Arkansas
| | - Raquel Amaral
- Coimbra Collection of Algae (ACOI), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Hynek Strnad
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the CAS, v.v.i., Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lilia M A Santos
- Coimbra Collection of Algae (ACOI), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marvin W Fawley
- Division of Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Ozarks, Clarksville, Arkansas.,School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Arkansas at Monticello, Monticello, Arkansas
| | - Marek Eliáš
- Department of Biology and Ecology Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, Institute of Environmental Technologies, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
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D'Agostino PM, Woodhouse JN, Liew HT, Sehnal L, Pickford R, Wong HL, Burns BP, Neilan BA. Bioinformatic, phylogenetic and chemical analysis of the UV‐absorbing compounds scytonemin and mycosporine‐like amino acids from the microbial mat communities of Shark Bay, Australia. Environ Microbiol 2019; 21:702-715. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul M. D'Agostino
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Biosystems Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) Technische Universität München Garching Germany
| | - Jason N. Woodhouse
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Department of Experimental Limnology Leibniz‐Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries Stechlin Germany
| | - Heng Tai Liew
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia
- School of Biological Sciences Nanyang Technological University 60 Nanyang Drive Singapore
| | - Luděk Sehnal
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Faculty of Science Masaryk University Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno Czech Republic
| | - Russel Pickford
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Hon Lun Wong
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Brendan P. Burns
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Brett A. Neilan
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences University of Newcastle Newcastle New South Wales Australia
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