Bioactive Peptides Produced by Cyanobacteria of the Genus Nostoc: A Review

Determination of nutrient concentration in liquid culture of cyanobacteria Nostoc sp. by capillary electrophoresis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

In this work, we demonstrate the use of capillary electrophoresis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, as competitive methods primarily for ion chromatography, to determine changes in the concentration of small inorganic ions in the Nostoc sp. culture medium. Although macronutrients were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis with conductivity detection, micronutrients were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The different light settings (light intensity and spectral composition) had a visible effect on the culture growth and depletion of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate ions, and iron and manganese elements when comparing the behavior under red or violet light with that under blue light.

Diversity and specificity of molecular functions in cyanobacterial symbionts

Cyanobacteria are globally occurring photosynthetic bacteria notable for their contribution to primary production and production of toxins which have detrimental ecosystem impacts. Furthermore, cyanobacteria can form mutualistic symbiotic relationships with a diverse set of eukaryotes, including land plants, aquatic plankton and fungi. Nevertheless, not all cyanobacteria are found in symbiotic associations suggesting symbiotic cyanobacteria have evolved specializations that facilitate host-interactions. Photosynthetic capabilities, nitrogen fixation, and the production of complex biochemicals are key functions provided by host-associated cyanobacterial symbionts. To explore if additional specializations are associated with such lifestyles in cyanobacteria, we have conducted comparative phylogenomics of molecular functions and of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in 984 cyanobacterial genomes. Cyanobacteria with host-associated and symbiotic lifestyles were concentrated in the family Nostocaceae, where eight monophyletic clades correspond to specific host taxa. In agreement with previous studies, symbionts are likely to provide fixed nitrogen to their eukaryotic partners, through multiple different nitrogen fixation pathways. Additionally, our analyses identified chitin metabolising pathways in cyanobacteria associated with specific host groups, while obligate symbionts had fewer BGCs. The conservation of molecular functions and BGCs between closely related symbiotic and free-living cyanobacteria suggests the potential for additional cyanobacteria to form symbiotic relationships than is currently known.

Marine Pharmacology in 2019-2021: Marine Compounds with Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Anti-Inflammatory, Antiprotozoal, Antituberculosis and Antiviral Activities; Affecting the Immune and Nervous Systems, and Other Miscellaneous Mechanisms of Action

The current 2019-2021 marine pharmacology literature review provides a continuation of previous reviews covering the period 1998 to 2018. Preclinical marine pharmacology research during 2019-2021 was published by researchers in 42 countries and contributed novel mechanism-of-action pharmacology for 171 structurally characterized marine compounds. The peer-reviewed marine natural product pharmacology literature reported antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, and antiviral mechanism-of-action studies for 49 compounds, 87 compounds with antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities that also affected the immune and nervous system, while another group of 51 compounds demonstrated novel miscellaneous mechanisms of action, which upon further investigation, may contribute to several pharmacological classes. Thus, in 2019-2021, a very active preclinical marine natural product pharmacology pipeline provided novel mechanisms of action as well as new lead chemistry for the clinical marine pharmaceutical pipeline targeting the therapy of several disease categories.

Antimicrobial Peptides from Photosynthetic Marine Organisms with Potential Application in Aquaculture

Aquaculture production is at a record level and is estimated to increase in the coming years. However, this production can be negatively affected by infectious diseases produced by viruses, bacteria, and parasites, causing fish mortality and economic losses. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small peptides that may be promising candidates to replace antibiotics because they are the first line of defense in animals against a wide variety of pathogens and have no negative effects; they also show additional activities such as antioxidant or immunoregulatory functions, which makes them powerful alternatives for use in aquaculture. Moreover, AMPs are highly available in natural sources and have already been used in the livestock farming and food industries. Photosynthetic marine organisms can survive under all kinds of environmental conditions and under extremely competitive environments thanks to their flexible metabolism. For this reason, these organisms represent a powerful source of bioactive molecules as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, including AMPs. Therefore, in this study we reviewed the present knowledge about AMPs from photosynthetic marine organism sources and analyzed whether they could be suitable for use in aquaculture.

The Potential of Allelochemicals from Microalgae for Biopesticides

Improvements in agricultural productivity are required to meet the demand of a growing world population. Phytopathogens, weeds, and insects are challenges to agricultural production. The toxicity and widespread application of persistent synthetic pesticides poses a major threat to human and ecosystem health. Therefore, sustainable strategies to control pests are essential for agricultural systems to enhance productivity within a green paradigm. Allelochemicals are a less persistent, safer, and friendly alternative to efficient pest management, as they tend to be less toxic to non-target organisms and more easily degradable. Microalgae produce a great variety of allelopathic substances whose biocontrol potential against weeds, insects, and phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria has received much attention. This review provides up-to-date information and a critical perspective on allelochemicals from microalgae and their potential as biopesticides.

Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic exploration of the Egyptian Red Sea sponge Theonella sp. associated microbial community

Marine sponges associated microorganisms are considered to be prolific source of bioactive natural products. Omics-based techniques such as metagenomics and metatranscriptomics have been used as effective tools to discover natural products. In this study, we used integrated metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analysis of three samples of the Egyptian Red Sea sponge Theonella sp. microbiome to obtain a complete picture of its biosynthetic activity to produce bioactive compounds. Our data revealed high biodiversity of the Egyptian sponge microbiota represented by 38 bacterial phyla with Candidate Phylum Poribacteria as the most abundant phyla with an average of 27.5% of the microbial community. The analysis also revealed high biosynthetic activity of the sponge microbiome through detecting different types of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) with predicted antibacterial, cytotoxic and inhibitory bioactivity and the majority of these clusters were found to be actively transcribed. The complete BGCs of the cytotoxic theonellamide and misakinolide were detected and found to be actively transcribed. The majority of the detected BGCs were predicted to be novel as they did not show any similarity with any known cluster in the MIBiG database.

Freshwater Cyanobacterial Toxins, Cyanopeptides and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Cyanobacteria produce a wide range of structurally diverse cyanotoxins and bioactive cyanopeptides in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems. The health significance of these metabolites, which include genotoxic- and neurotoxic agents, is confirmed by continued associations between the occurrence of animal and human acute toxic events and, in the long term, by associations between cyanobacteria and neurodegenerative diseases. Major mechanisms related to the neurotoxicity of cyanobacteria compounds include (1) blocking of key proteins and channels; (2) inhibition of essential enzymes in mammalian cells such as protein phosphatases and phosphoprotein phosphatases as well as new molecular targets such as toll-like receptors 4 and 8. One of the widely discussed implicated mechanisms includes a misincorporation of cyanobacterial non-proteogenic amino acids. Recent research provides evidence that non-proteinogenic amino acid BMAA produced by cyanobacteria have multiple effects on translation process and bypasses the proof-reading ability of the aminoacyl-tRNA-synthetase. Aberrant proteins generated by non-canonical translation may be a factor in neuronal death and neurodegeneration. We hypothesize that the production of cyanopeptides and non-canonical amino acids is a more general mechanism, leading to mistranslation, affecting protein homeostasis, and targeting mitochondria in eukaryotic cells. It can be evolutionarily ancient and initially developed to control phytoplankton communities during algal blooms. Outcompeting gut symbiotic microorganisms may lead to dysbiosis, increased gut permeability, a shift in blood-brain-barrier functionality, and eventually, mitochondrial dysfunction in high-energy demanding neurons. A better understanding of the interaction between cyanopeptides metabolism and the nervous system will be crucial to target or to prevent neurodegenerative diseases.

Anabaenopeptins from Nostoc edaphicum CCNP1411

Cyanobacteria of the Nostoc genus belong to the most prolific sources of bioactive metabolites. In our previous study on Nostoc edaphicum strain CCNP1411, the occurrence of cyanopeptolins and nostocyclopeptides was documented. In the current work, the production of anabaenopeptins (APs) by the strain was studied using genetic and chemical methods. Compatibility between the analysis of the apt gene cluster and the structure of the identified APs was found. Three of the APs, including two new variants, were isolated as pure compounds and tested against four serine proteases and carboxypeptidase A (CPA). The in vitro enzymatic assays showed a typical activity of this class of cyanopeptides, i.e., the most pronounced effects were observed in the case of CPA. The activity of the detected compounds against important metabolic enzymes confirms the pharmaceutical potential of anabaenopeptins.

Therapeutic Potential of Marine Bioactive Peptides against Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Recent Evidence, Challenges, and Future Trends

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic and potentially fatal ailment caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and remains a major health problem worldwide. In recent years, the research focus has shifted to a greater emphasis on complementing treatment regimens involving conventional antiretroviral (ARV) drug therapies with novel lead structures isolated from various marine organisms that have the potential to be utilized as therapeutics for the management of HIV-AIDS. The present review summarizes the recent developments regarding bioactive peptides sourced from various marine organisms. This includes a discussion encompassing the potential of these novel marine bioactive peptides with regard to antiretroviral activities against HIV, preparation, purification, and processing techniques, in addition to insight into the future trends with an emphasis on the potential of exploration and evaluation of novel peptides to be developed into effective antiretroviral drugs.

Preliminary Characterization of a Spray-Dried Hydrocolloid from a High Andean Algae (Nostoc sphaericum)

The search for new natural sources of hydrocolloids with stabilizing, thickening, and good binding capacity, from raw materials that are environmentally friendly and that contribute to the circular economy is a challenge for the food industry. The aim of the study was the preliminary characterization of a spray-dried hydrocolloid from high Andean algae Nostoc sphaericum. Four ecotypes of algae from Peruvian high Andean lagoons located above 4000 m were considered. The samples were collected in the period March−April 2021 and were subjected to a spray drying process in an aqueous medium. The characterization showed that the dehydrated nostoc ecotypes presented high protein and carbohydrate content, making it a potential material for direct use as a functional food for humans. The spray-dried product presented good stability for its use as a hydrocolloid, with zeta potential values (ζ), around 30 mV, evidencing the presence of -CO-, -OH, -COO-, and -CH groups, characteristic of polysaccharides, representing 40% of total organic carbon on average, giving it low water activity values and particle size at the nanometric level. Major minerals such as Ca (>277 mg/100 g), Mg (>19.7 mg/100 g), and Fe (>7.7 mg/100 g) were reported. Spray-dried nostoc is a hydrocolloid material with high potential for the food industry, with good nutritional content and techno-functional behavior.

Gene expression changes in Daphnia magna following waterborne exposure to cyanobacterial strains from the genus Nostoc

Cyanobacteria can produce highly potent cyanotoxins, however, limited information is provided about their toxicity mechanisms in exposed aquatic invertebrates at the molecular level. In the present study, the effects of cyanobacterial strains from the genus Nostoc (Nostoc Z1 and Nostoc 2S3B) in Daphnia magna after waterborne exposure were investigated. Examined endpoints included immobilization (survival) in acute toxicity tests and selected gene expression changes (cyp314, cyp360A8, gst, p-gp, vtg) analyzed by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to determine whether the observed changes could be due to the presence of microcystins, the most widespread group of cyanotoxins. The results of acute toxicity tests have shown only minor changes in survival rates, which have not exceeded 20% after 48 h of exposure to either strain. On the other hand, significant changes were recorded in molecular responses of Daphnia to tested strains. Treatment with the aquatic strain Nostoc Z1 altered the expression levels of all analyzed genes. Both strains caused a significant p-glycoprotein (p-gp) induction at 75 µg ml^-1 which suggests the involvement of p-gp mediated multixenobiotic resistance mechanism (MXR) in facilitating excretion of toxic cyanobacterial compounds in daphnids. Additionally, these strains caused an increase in the expression levels of cyp360A8, indicating that genes related to detoxification processes could be sensitive indicators of cyanobacterial toxicity. Statistically significant induction of cyp314, as well as increases in expression of gst and vtg, were observed only after exposure to Nostoc Z1. This study indicates the potential of certain cyanobacterial metabolites to modify the expression of toxicant responsive genes involved in phase I and phase III of the xenobiotic metabolism, as well as possible interference with growth and reproduction in D. magna. Low microcystin concentrations found in both samples suggest that these cyanotoxins were not responsible for the detected toxic effects.

Microalgal Biorefinery Concepts’ Developments for Biofuel and Bioproducts: Current Perspective and Bottlenecks

Microalgae have received much interest as a biofuel feedstock. However, the economic feasibility of biofuel production from microalgae does not satisfy capital investors. Apart from the biofuels, it is necessary to produce high-value co-products from microalgae fraction to satisfy the economic aspects of microalgae biorefinery. In addition, microalgae-based wastewater treatment is considered as an alternative for the conventional wastewater treatment in terms of energy consumption, which is suitable for microalgae biorefinery approaches. The energy consumption of a microalgae wastewater treatment system (0.2 kW/h/m³) was reduced 10 times when compared to the conventional wastewater treatment system (to 2 kW/h/m³). Microalgae are rich in various biomolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, pigments, vitamins, and antioxidants; all these valuable products can be utilized by nutritional, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. There are several bottlenecks associated with microalgae biorefinery. Hence, it is essential to promote the sustainability of microalgal biorefinery with innovative ideas to produce biofuel with high-value products. This review attempted to bring out the trends and promising solutions to realize microalgal production of multiple products at an industrial scale. New perspectives and current challenges are discussed for the development of algal biorefinery concepts.

Synergistic toxicity of some cyanobacterial oligopeptides to physiological activities of Daphnia magna (Crustacea)

Anabaenopeptins and microcystins are oligopeptides produced by bloom-forming cyanobacteria. We determined in vivo effects of anabaenopeptin-B (AN-B) and two variants of microcystins of different hydrophobicity (MC-LR and MC-LF) on the physiology of Daphnia magna. Heart rate, thoracic limb activity and post-abdominal claw activity were determined by digital video analysis and oxygen consumption by Oxygraph + system. EC50 calculation and isobole methodology for interactive effects of AN-B and MC-LR mixture were used. Daphnids' responses to all three oligopeptides were concentration- and time-dependent. MC-LF was the most potent inhibitor of heart rate, thoracic limb activity, post-abdominal claw activity and oxygen consumption. AN-B was more toxic than MC-LR toward oxygen consumption; it inhibited the movements of limbs and post-abdominal claw similarly to MC-LR, but did not inhibit heart rate. The strongest toxic effects were induced by the binary mixture of AN-B with MC-LR at the sum concentration equal to the concentration of the single compounds. First time direct synergistic toxic effects of the cyanopeptides on all the physiological parameters were found. The obtained results explain stronger disturbances in aquatic organisms caused by cyanobacterial cell contents than the individual cyanopeptides present even at higher concentrations. Other metabolites and their interactions need further studies.

Unconventional high-value products from microalgae: A review

Microalgae have gained significant importance in biotechnology development, providing valuable goods and services in multiple applications. Although there is a rising market for most of these applications, the incorporation and introduction of microalgae into new venues will extend in the near future. These advances are due to the vast biodiversity of microalgal species, recent genetic engineering tools, and culture techniques. There are three main possible approaches for novel algal compounds from: (1) recently isolated yet less known microalgae; (2) selectively stressed conditions; and (3) enzymatically adjusted compounds from conventional molecules. All these approaches can be combined in a specific manner. This review discusses the opportunities, potential and limitations of introducing novel microalgae-based products, and how the recent technologies can be deployed to make these products financially viable. To give an outlook to the future, an analysis of the developments and predicted future market that further enlarge the promise of cultivating microalgae for commercial purposes are considered.

Algal Toxic Compounds and Their Aeroterrestrial, Airborne and other Extremophilic Producers with Attention to Soil and Plant Contamination: A Review

The review summarizes the available knowledge on toxins and their producers from rather disparate algal assemblages of aeroterrestrial, airborne and other versatile extreme environments (hot springs, deserts, ice, snow, caves, etc.) and on phycotoxins as contaminants of emergent concern in soil and plants. There is a growing body of evidence that algal toxins and their producers occur in all general types of extreme habitats, and cyanobacteria/cyanoprokaryotes dominate in most of them. Altogether, 55 toxigenic algal genera (47 cyanoprokaryotes) were enlisted, and our analysis showed that besides the “standard” toxins, routinely known from different waterbodies (microcystins, nodularins, anatoxins, saxitoxins, cylindrospermopsins, BMAA, etc.), they can produce some specific toxic compounds. Whether the toxic biomolecules are related with the harsh conditions on which algae have to thrive and what is their functional role may be answered by future studies. Therefore, we outline the gaps in knowledge and provide ideas for further research, considering, from one side, the health risk from phycotoxins on the background of the global warming and eutrophication and, from the other side, the current surge of interest which phycotoxins provoke due to their potential as novel compounds in medicine, pharmacy, cosmetics, bioremediation, agriculture and all aspects of biotechnological implications in human life.

Contribution of Cyanotoxins to the Ecotoxicological Role of Lichens

The fascinating world of lichens draws the attention of the researchers because of the numerous properties of lichens used traditionally and, in modern times, as a raw material for medicines and in the perfumery industry, for food and spices, for fodder, as dyes, and for other various purposes all over the world. However, lichens being widespread symbiotic entities between fungi and photosynthetic partners may acquire toxic features due to either the fungi, algae, or cyano-procaryotes producing toxins. By this way, several common lichens acquire toxic features. In this survey, recent data about the ecology, phytogenetics, and biology of some lichens with respect to the associated toxin-producing cyanoprokaryotes in different habitats around the world are discussed. Special attention is paid to the common toxins, called microcystin and nodularin, produced mainly by the Nostoc species. The effective application of a series of modern research methods to approach the issue of lichen toxicity as contributed by the cyanophotobiont partner is emphasized.

Current Knowledge on Microviridin from Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria are a rich source of secondary metabolites with a vast biotechnological potential. These compounds have intrigued the scientific community due their uniqueness and diversity, which is guaranteed by a rich enzymatic apparatus. The ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are among the most promising metabolite groups derived from cyanobacteria. They are interested in numerous biological and ecological processes, many of which are entirely unknown. Microviridins are among the most recognized class of ribosomal peptides formed by cyanobacteria. These oligopeptides are potent inhibitors of protease; thus, they can be used for drug development and the control of mosquitoes. They also play a key ecological role in the defense of cyanobacteria against microcrustaceans. The purpose of this review is to systematically identify the key characteristics of microviridins, including its chemical structure and biosynthesis, as well as its biotechnological and ecological significance.

Cyanobacteria and Eukaryotic Microalgae as Emerging Sources of Antibacterial Peptides

Cyanobacteria and microalgae are oxygen-producing photosynthetic unicellular organisms encompassing a great diversity of species, which are able to grow under all types of extreme environments and exposed to a wide variety of predators and microbial pathogens. The antibacterial compounds described for these organisms include alkaloids, fatty acids, indoles, macrolides, peptides, phenols, pigments and terpenes, among others. This review presents an overview of antibacterial peptides isolated from cyanobacteria and microalgae, as well as their synergism and mechanisms of action described so far. Antibacterial cyanopeptides belong to different orders, but mainly from Oscillatoriales and Nostocales. Cyanopeptides have different structures but are mainly cyclic peptides. This vast peptide repertoire includes ribosomal and abundant non-ribosomal peptides, evaluated by standard conventional methodologies against pathogenic Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The antibacterial activity described for microalgal peptides is considerably scarcer, and limited to protein hydrolysates from two Chlorella species, and few peptides from Tetraselmis suecica. Despite the promising applications of antibacterial peptides and the importance of searching for new natural sources of antibiotics, limitations still persist for their pharmaceutical applications.

Toxic compounds produced by cyanobacteria belonging to several species of the order Nostocales: A review

Cyanobacteria are well recognised as producers of a wide range of natural compounds that are in turn recognised as toxins that have potential and useful applications in the future as pharmaceutical agents. The order Nostocales, which is largely overlooked in this regard, has become increasingly recognised as a source of toxin producers including Anabaena, Nostoc, Hapalosiphon, Fischerella, Anabaenopsis, Aphanizomenon, Gloeotrichia, Cylindrospermopsis, Scytonema, Raphidiopsis, Cuspidothrix, Nodularia, Stigonema, Calothrix, Cylindrospermum and Desmonostoc species. The toxin compounds (i.e., microcystins, nodularin, anatoxins, ambiguines, fischerindoles and welwitindolinones) and metabolites are about to have a destructive effect on both inland and aquatic environment aspects. The present review gives an overview of the various toxins that are extracted by the order Nostocales. The current research suggests that these compounds that are produced by cyanobacterial species have promising future considerations as potentially harmful algae and as promising leads for drug discovery.

The chemistry and biology of guanidine secondary metabolites

Covering: 2017-2019Guanidine natural products isolated from microorganisms, marine invertebrates and terrestrial plants, amphibians and spiders, represented by non-ribosomal peptides, guanidine-bearing polyketides, alkaloids, terpenoids and shikimic acid derived, are the subject of this review. The topics include the discovery of new metabolites, total synthesis of natural guanidine compounds, biological activity and mechanism-of-action, biosynthesis and ecological functions.

Transcriptomic analysis of cyanobacterial alkane overproduction reveals stress-related genes and inhibitors of lipid droplet formation

The cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme can form lipid droplets (LDs), internal inclusions containing triacylglycerols, carotenoids and alkanes. LDs are enriched for a 17 carbon-long alkane in N. punctiforme, and it has been shown that the overexpression of the aar and ado genes results in increased LD and alkane production. To identify transcriptional adaptations associated with increased alkane production, we performed comparative transcriptomic analysis of an alkane overproduction strain. RNA-seq data identified a large number of highly upregulated genes in the overproduction strain, including genes potentially involved in rRNA processing, mycosporine-glycine production and synthesis of non-ribosomal peptides, including nostopeptolide A. Other genes encoding helical carotenoid proteins, stress-induced proteins and those for microviridin synthesis were also upregulated. Construction of N. punctiforme strains with several upregulated genes or operons on multi-copy plasmids resulted in reduced alkane accumulation, indicating possible negative regulators of alkane production. A strain containing four genes for microviridin biosynthesis completely lost the ability to synthesize LDs. This strain exhibited wild-type growth and lag phase recovery under standard conditions, and slightly faster growth under high light. The transcriptional changes associated with increased alkane production identified in this work will provide the basis for future experiments designed to use cyanobacteria as a production platform for biofuel or high-value hydrophobic products.