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Song Q, Zhao F, Hou L, Miao M. Cellular interactions and evolutionary origins of endosymbiotic relationships with ciliates. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae117. [PMID: 38916437 PMCID: PMC11253213 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae117] [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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
As unicellular predators, ciliates engage in close associations with diverse microbes, laying the foundation for the establishment of endosymbiosis. Originally heterotrophic, ciliates demonstrate the ability to acquire phototrophy by phagocytizing unicellular algae or by sequestering algal plastids. This adaptation enables them to gain photosynthate and develop resistance to unfavorable environmental conditions. The integration of acquired phototrophy with intrinsic phagotrophy results in a trophic mode known as mixotrophy. Additionally, ciliates can harbor thousands of bacteria in various intracellular regions, including the cytoplasm and nucleus, exhibiting species specificity. Under prolonged and specific selective pressure within hosts, bacterial endosymbionts evolve unique lifestyles and undergo particular reductions in metabolic activities. Investigating the research advancements in various endosymbiotic cases within ciliates will contribute to elucidate patterns in cellular interaction and unravel the evolutionary origins of complex traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Song
- Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 Yanqihu East Road, Huairou District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fangqing Zhao
- Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 Yanqihu East Road, Huairou District, Beijing 100049, China
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 Xiangshan Road, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Lina Hou
- Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 Yanqihu East Road, Huairou District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Miao Miao
- Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 Yanqihu East Road, Huairou District, Beijing 100049, China
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2
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Melekhin M, Potekhin A, Gentekaki E, Chantangsi C. Paramecium (Oligohymenophorea, Ciliophora) diversity in Thailand sheds light on the genus biogeography and reveals new phylogenetic lineages. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2024; 71:e13004. [PMID: 37849422 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.13004] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Paramecium (Ciliophora, Oligohymenophorea) is a good model to study ciliate biogeography. Extensive sampling mainly in northern hemisphere has led to 16 valid morphological species description thus far. However, a majority of hard-to-reach regions, including South East Asia, are underinvestigated. Our study combined traditional morphological and molecular approaches to reveal the biodiversity of Paramecium in Thailand from more than 110 samples collected in 10 provinces. Representatives of seven morphological species were identified from our collection, including the rare species, such as P. gigas and P. jenningsi. Additionally, we detected five different sibling species of the P. aurelia complex, described a new cryptic species P. hiwatashii n. sp. phylogenetically related to P. caudatum, and discovered a potentially new genetic species of the P. bursaria species complex. We also documented a variety of bacterial cytoplasmic symbionts from at least nine monoclonal cultures of Paramecium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksim Melekhin
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Protistology, Zoological Institute RAS, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexey Potekhin
- Research Department for Limnology, University of Innsbruck, Mondsee, Austria
| | - Eleni Gentekaki
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Chitchai Chantangsi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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3
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Species delimitation polyphasic approach reveals Meyerella similis sp. nov.: a new species of “small green balls” within the Chlorella-clade (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta). ORG DIVERS EVOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13127-022-00590-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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4
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Spanner C, Darienko T, Filker S, Sonntag B, Pröschold T. Morphological diversity and molecular phylogeny of five Paramecium bursaria (Alveolata, Ciliophora, Oligohymenophorea) syngens and the identification of their green algal endosymbionts. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18089. [PMID: 36302793 PMCID: PMC9613978 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22284-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Paramecium bursaria is a mixotrophic ciliate species, which is common in stagnant and slow-flowing, nutrient-rich waters. It is usually found living in symbiosis with zoochlorellae (green algae) of the genera Chlorella or Micractinium. We investigated P. bursaria isolates from around the world, some of which have already been extensively studied in various laboratories, but whose morphological and genetic identity has not yet been completely clarified. Phylogenetic analyses of the SSU and ITS rDNA sequences revealed five highly supported lineages, which corresponded to the syngen and most likely to the biological species assignment. These syngens R1-R5 could also be distinguished by unique synapomorphies in the secondary structures of the SSU and the ITS. Considering these synapomorphies, we could clearly assign the existing GenBank entries of P. bursaria to specific syngens. In addition, we discovered synapomorphies at amino acids of the COI gene for the identification of the syngens. Using the metadata of these entries, most syngens showed a worldwide distribution, however, the syngens R1 and R5 were only found in Europe. From morphology, the syngens did not show any significant deviations. The investigated strains had either Chlorella variabilis, Chlorella vulgaris or Micractinium conductrix as endosymbionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Spanner
- grid.5771.40000 0001 2151 8122Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, University of Innsbruck, Mondsee, Austria
| | - Tatyana Darienko
- grid.5771.40000 0001 2151 8122Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, University of Innsbruck, Mondsee, Austria ,grid.7450.60000 0001 2364 4210Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Department of Applied Bioinformatics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sabine Filker
- grid.7645.00000 0001 2155 0333Molecular Ecology Group, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Bettina Sonntag
- grid.5771.40000 0001 2151 8122Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, University of Innsbruck, Mondsee, Austria
| | - Thomas Pröschold
- grid.5771.40000 0001 2151 8122Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, University of Innsbruck, Mondsee, Austria
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5
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Abstract
Wastewater surveillance (WS), when coupled with advanced molecular techniques, offers near real-time monitoring of community-wide transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and allows assessing and mitigating COVID-19 outbreaks, by evaluating the total microbial assemblage in a community. Composite wastewater samples (24 h) were collected weekly from a manhole between December 2020 and November 2021 in Maryland, USA. RT-qPCR results showed concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA recovered from wastewater samples reflected incidence of COVID-19 cases. When a drastic increase in COVID-19 was detected in February 2021, samples were selected for microbiome analysis (DNA metagenomics, RNA metatranscriptomics, and targeted SARS-CoV-2 sequencing). Targeted SARS-CoV-2 sequencing allowed for detection of important genetic mutations, such as spike: K417N, D614G, P681H, T716I, S982A, and D1118H, commonly associated with increased cell entry and reinfection. Microbiome analysis (DNA and RNA) provided important insight with respect to human health-related factors, including detection of pathogens and their virulence/antibiotic resistance genes. Specific microbial species comprising the wastewater microbiome correlated with incidence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, suggesting potential association with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Climatic conditions, namely, temperature, were related to incidence of COVID-19 and detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, having been monitored as part of an environmental risk score assessment carried out in this study. In summary, the wastewater microbiome provides useful public health information, and hence, a valuable tool to proactively detect and characterize pathogenic agents circulating in a community. In effect, metagenomics of wastewater can serve as an early warning system for communicable diseases, by providing a larger source of information for health departments and public officials. IMPORTANCE Traditionally, testing for COVID-19 is done by detecting SARS-CoV-2 in samples collected from nasal swabs and/or saliva. However, SARS-CoV-2 can also be detected in feces of infected individuals. Therefore, wastewater samples can be used to test all individuals of a community contributing to the sewage collection system, i.e., the infrastructure, such as gravity pipes, manholes, tanks, lift stations, control structures, and force mains, that collects used water from residential and commercial sources and conveys the flow to a wastewater treatment plant. Here, we profile community wastewater collected from a manhole, detect presence of SARS-CoV-2, identify genetic mutations of SARS-CoV-2, and perform COVID-19 risk score assessment of the study area. Using metagenomics analysis, we also detect other microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, protists, and viruses) present in the samples. Results show that by analyzing all microorganisms present in wastewater, pathogens circulating in a community can provide an early warning for contagious diseases.
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Krivina ES, Temraleeva AD, Bukin YS. Species delimitation and microalgal cryptic diversity analysis of the genus Micractinium (Chlorophyta). Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2022; 26:74-85. [PMID: 35342860 PMCID: PMC8894098 DOI: 10.18699/vjgb-22-11] [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: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In this article, the system of the green microalgal genus Micractinium, based on morphological, physiological, ecological and molecular data, is considered. The main diagnostic species characteristics and the taxonomic placement of some taxa are also discussed. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the genus Micractinium is characterized by high cryptic diversity. The algorithms used for species delimitation had different results on the number of potentially species-level clusters allocated. The ABGD method was less “sensitive”. The tree-based approaches GMYC and PTP showed a more feasible taxonomy of the genus Micractinium, being an effective additional tool for distinguishing species. The clustering obtained by the latter two methods is in good congruence with morphological (cell size and shape, ability to form colonies, production of bristles, chloroplast type), physiological (vitamin requirements, reaction to high and low temperatures), molecular (presence of introns, level of genetic differences, presence of CBCs or special features of the secondary structure in ITS1 and ITS2) and ecological characteristics (habitat). The polyphyly
of the holotype of the genus M. pusillum as well as M. belenophorum is shown. The intron was effective as an additional
tool for distinguishing species, and the results of the intron analysis should be taken into account together
with other characteristics. The CBC approach, based on the search for compensatory base changes in conservative
ITS2 regions, was successful only for distinguishing cryptic species from “true” members of M. pusillum. Therefore, to
distinguish species, it is more effective to take into account all the CBC in ITS1 and ITS2 and analyze characteristic
structural differences (molecular signatures) in the secondary structure of internal transcribed spacers. The genetic
distances analysis of 18S–ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 nucleotide sequences showed that intraspecific differences in the genus
ranged from 0 to 0.5 % and interspecific differences, from 0.6 to 4.7 %. Due to the polyphasic approach, it was possible
to characterize 29 clusters and phylogenetic lines at the species level within the genus Micractinium and to
make assumptions about the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. S. Krivina
- Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”
| | - A. D. Temraleeva
- Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”
| | - Yu. S. Bukin
- Limnological Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
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7
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Frantal D, Agatha S, Beisser D, Boenigk J, Darienko T, Dirren-Pitsch G, Filker S, Gruber M, Kammerlander B, Nachbaur L, Scheffel U, Stoeck T, Qian K, Weißenbacher B, Pröschold T, Sonntag B. Molecular Data Reveal a Cryptic Diversity in the Genus Urotricha (Alveolata, Ciliophora, Prostomatida), a Key Player in Freshwater Lakes, With Remarks on Morphology, Food Preferences, and Distribution. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:787290. [PMID: 35185817 PMCID: PMC8854374 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.787290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Species of the ciliate genus Urotricha are key players in freshwater plankton communities. In the pelagial of lakes, about 20 urotrich species occur throughout an annual cycle, some of which play a pivotal role in aquatic food webs. For example, during the phytoplankton spring bloom, they consume a remarkable proportion of the algal production. In ecological studies, urotrich ciliates are usually merely identified to genus rank and grouped into size classes. This is unsatisfying considering the distinct autecological properties of individual species and their specific spatial and temporal distribution patterns. As a basis for future research, we characterized in detail four common urotrich morphotypes, i.e., specimens identified as U. furcata and tentatively as U. agilis, U. pseudofurcata, and U. castalia, using state-of-the-art methods. We used an integrative polyphasic approach, in which morphological studies (in vivo observation, silver staining methods, scanning electron microscopy) were linked with a molecular approach exploiting four different gene fragments as taxonomic DNA barcodes with different resolution potential (SSU rDNA, ITS-1, ITS-2, hypervariable V4 and V9 regions of the SSU rDNA). We shed light on the diversity of urotrich ciliates as well as on their global distribution patterns, and annual cycles. Additionally, we coupled individual species occurrences and environmental parameters, and subsequently modeled the distribution and occurrence, using logistic regressions. Furthermore, for one strain putatively identified as U. castalia, we ascertained the optimal cultivation media and food preferences. Thereby, our comprehensive view on these important freshwater ciliates that frequently occur in environmental high throughput sequencing datasets worldwide will allow future studies to better exploit protistan plankton data from lakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Frantal
- Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, University of Innsbruck, Mondsee, Austria
| | - Sabine Agatha
- Department of Biosciences, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Daniela Beisser
- Department of Biodiversity, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jens Boenigk
- Department of Biodiversity, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tatyana Darienko
- Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, University of Innsbruck, Mondsee, Austria
- Experimental Phycology and Culture Collection of Algae, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gianna Dirren-Pitsch
- Limnological Station, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Kilchberg, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Filker
- Molecular Ecology Group, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | | | - Barbara Kammerlander
- Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, University of Innsbruck, Mondsee, Austria
- Federal Agency for Water Management, Institute for Aquatic Ecology and Fisheries Management, Mondsee, Austria
| | - Laura Nachbaur
- Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, University of Innsbruck, Mondsee, Austria
| | - Ulrike Scheffel
- Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, University of Innsbruck, Mondsee, Austria
| | - Thorsten Stoeck
- Ecology Group, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Kuimei Qian
- Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, University of Innsbruck, Mondsee, Austria
- College of Environmental Engineering, Xuzhou University of Technology, Xuzhou, China
| | - Birgit Weißenbacher
- Department of Biosciences, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Thomas Pröschold
- Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, University of Innsbruck, Mondsee, Austria
| | - Bettina Sonntag
- Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, University of Innsbruck, Mondsee, Austria
- *Correspondence: Bettina Sonntag,
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8
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Flemming FE, Grosser K, Schrallhammer M. Natural Shifts in Endosymbionts' Occurrence and Relative Frequency in Their Ciliate Host Population. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:791615. [PMID: 35087493 PMCID: PMC8787144 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.791615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of bacterial endosymbionts harbored by heterotrophic Paramecium species is complex. Obligate intracellular bacteria supposedly always inflict costs as the host is the only possible provider of resources. However, several experimental studies have shown that paramecia carrying bacterial endosymbionts can benefit from their infection. Here, we address the question which endosymbionts occur in natural paramecia populations isolated from a small lake over a period of 5 years and which factors might explain observed shifts and persistence in the symbionts occurrence. One hundred and nineteen monoclonal strains were investigated and approximately two-third harbored intracellular bacteria. The majority of infected paramecia carried the obligate endosymbiotic "Candidatus Megaira polyxenophila", followed by Caedimonas varicaedens, and Holospora undulata. The latter was only detected in a single strain. While "Ca. M. polyxenophila" was observed in seven out of 13 samplings, C. varicaedens presence was limited to a single sampling occasion. After the appearance of C. varicaedens, "Ca. M. polyxenophila" prevalence dramatically dropped with some delay but recovered to original levels at the end of our study. Potential mechanisms explaining these observations include differences in infectivity, host range, and impact on host fitness as well as host competitive capacities. Growth experiments revealed fitness advantages for infected paramecia harboring "Ca. M. polyxenophila" as well as C. varicaedens. Furthermore, we showed that cells carrying C. varicaedens gain a competitive advantage from the symbiosis-derived killer trait. Other characteristics like infectivity and overlapping host range were taken into consideration, but the observed temporal persistence of "Ca. M. polyxenophila" is most likely explained by the positive effect this symbiont provides to its host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicitas E. Flemming
- Microbiology, Institute of Biology II, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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9
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Maeda I, Kudou S, Iwai S. Efficient isolation and cultivation of endosymbiotic Chlorella from Paramecium bursaria on agar plates by co-culture with yeast cells. J Microbiol Methods 2021; 186:106254. [PMID: 34052226 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2021.106254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Paramecium bursaria is a ciliate that harbors Chlorella-like unicellular green algae as endosymbionts. The relationship between the host P. bursaria and the endosymbiotic Chlorella is facultative; therefore, both partners can be cultured independently and re-combined to re-establish symbiosis, making this system suitable for studying algal endosymbiosis. However, despite many previous studies, cultivation of endosymbiotic Chlorella remains difficult, particularly on agar plates. Here we describe a simple agar plate method for efficiently isolating and culturing cells of the endosymbiotic alga Chlorella variabilis from an individual P. bursaria cell, by co-culturing them with yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The co-culture with the yeast significantly improved the colony-forming efficiency of the alga on agar. Growth assays suggest that the main role of the co-cultured yeast cells is not to provide nutrients for the algal cells, but to protect the algal cells from some environmental stresses on the agar surface. Using the algal cells grown on the plates and a set of specially designed primers, direct colony PCR can be performed for screening of multiple endosymbiont clones isolated from a single host ciliate. These methods may provide a useful tool for studying endosymbiotic Chlorella species within P. bursaria and various other protists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ippei Maeda
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki 036-8560, Japan
| | - Shou Kudou
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki 036-8560, Japan
| | - Sosuke Iwai
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki 036-8560, Japan.
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Greczek-Stachura M, Leśnicka PZ, Tarcz S, Rautian M, Możdżeń K. Genetic Diversity of Symbiotic Green Algae of Paramecium bursaria Syngens Originating from Distant Geographical Locations. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:609. [PMID: 33806926 PMCID: PMC8005025 DOI: 10.3390/plants10030609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Paramecium bursaria (Ehrenberg 1831) is a ciliate species living in a symbiotic relationship with green algae. The aim of the study was to identify green algal symbionts of P. bursaria originating from distant geographical locations and to answer the question of whether the occurrence of endosymbiont taxa was correlated with a specific ciliate syngen (sexually separated sibling group). In a comparative analysis, we investigated 43 P. bursaria symbiont strains based on molecular features. Three DNA fragments were sequenced: two from the nuclear genomes-a fragment of the ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 region and a fragment of the gene encoding large subunit ribosomal RNA (28S rDNA), as well as a fragment of the plastid genome comprising the 3'rpl36-5'infA genes. The analysis of two ribosomal sequences showed the presence of 29 haplotypes (haplotype diversity Hd = 0.98736 for ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 and Hd = 0.908 for 28S rDNA) in the former two regions, and 36 haplotypes in the 3'rpl36-5'infA gene fragment (Hd = 0.984). The following symbiotic strains were identified: Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella variabilis, Chlorella sorokiniana and Micractinium conductrix. We rejected the hypotheses concerning (i) the correlation between P. bursaria syngen and symbiotic species, and (ii) the relationship between symbiotic species and geographic distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Greczek-Stachura
- Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Kraków, Poland; (M.G.-S.); (P.Z.L.)
| | - Patrycja Zagata Leśnicka
- Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Kraków, Poland; (M.G.-S.); (P.Z.L.)
| | - Sebastian Tarcz
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sławkowska 17, 31-016 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Maria Rautian
- Laboratory of Protistology and Experimental Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Soil Science, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Katarzyna Możdżeń
- Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Kraków, Poland; (M.G.-S.); (P.Z.L.)
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11
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Abstract
Interests to estimate and assess the diversity of ciliates have a centuries-long history [...]
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12
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Algal Diversity in Paramecium bursaria: Species Identification, Detection of Choricystis parasitica, and Assessment of the Interaction Specificity. DIVERSITY-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12080287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The ‘green’ ciliate Paramecium bursaria lives in mutualistic symbiosis with green algae belonging to the species Chlorella variabilis or Micractinium conductrix. We analysed the diversity of algal endosymbionts and their P. bursaria hosts in nine strains from geographically diverse origins. Therefore, their phylogenies using different molecular markers were inferred. The green paramecia belong to different syngens of P. bursaria. The intracellular algae were assigned to Chl. variabilis, M. conductrix or, surprisingly, Choricystis parasitica. This usually free-living alga co-occurs with M. conductrix in the host’s cytoplasm. Addressing the potential status of Chor. parasitica as second additional endosymbiont, we determined if it is capable of symbiosis establishment and replication within a host cell. Symbiont-free P. bursaria were generated by cycloheximid treatment. Those aposymbiotic P. bursaria were used for experimental infections to investigate the symbiosis specificity not only between P. bursaria and Chor. parasitica but including also Chl. variabilis and M. conductrix. For each algae we observed the uptake and incorporation in individual perialgal vacuoles. These host-symbiont associations are stable since more than five months. Thus, Chor. parasitica and P. bursaria can form an intimate and long-term interaction. This study provides new insights into the diversity of P. bursaria algal symbionts.
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