Macroalgal microbiomes unveil a valuable genetic resource for halogen metabolism

© 2024. The Author(s)..

BACKGROUND: Macroalgae, especially reds (Rhodophyta Division) and browns (Phaeophyta Division), are known for producing various halogenated compounds. Yet, the reasons underlying their production and the fate of these metabolites remain largely unknown. Some theories suggest their potential antimicrobial activity and involvement in interactions between macroalgae and prokaryotes. However, detailed investigations are currently missing on how the genetic information of prokaryotic communities associated with macroalgae may influence the fate of organohalogenated molecules.

RESULTS: To address this challenge, we created a specialized dataset containing 161 enzymes, each with a complete enzyme commission number, known to be involved in halogen metabolism. This dataset served as a reference to annotate the corresponding genes encoded in both the metagenomic contigs and 98 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) obtained from the microbiome of 2 red (Sphaerococcus coronopifolius and Asparagopsis taxiformis) and 1 brown (Halopteris scoparia) macroalgae. We detected many dehalogenation-related genes, particularly those with hydrolytic functions, suggesting their potential involvement in the degradation of a wide spectrum of halocarbons and haloaromatic molecules, including anthropogenic compounds. We uncovered an array of degradative gene functions within MAGs, spanning various bacterial orders such as Rhodobacterales, Rhizobiales, Caulobacterales, Geminicoccales, Sphingomonadales, Granulosicoccales, Microtrichales, and Pseudomonadales. Less abundant than degradative functions, we also uncovered genes associated with the biosynthesis of halogenated antimicrobial compounds and metabolites.

CONCLUSION: The functional data provided here contribute to understanding the still largely unexplored role of unknown prokaryotes. These findings support the hypothesis that macroalgae function as holobionts, where the metabolism of halogenated compounds might play a role in symbiogenesis and act as a possible defense mechanism against environmental chemical stressors. Furthermore, bacterial groups, previously never connected with organohalogen metabolism, e.g., Caulobacterales, Geminicoccales, Granulosicoccales, and Microtrichales, functionally characterized through MAGs reconstruction, revealed a biotechnologically relevant gene content, useful in synthetic biology, and bioprospecting applications. Video Abstract.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2024

Erschienen:

2024

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:12

Enthalten in:

Microbiome - 12(2024), 1 vom: 07. März, Seite 47

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Lavecchia, Anna [VerfasserIn]
Fosso, Bruno [VerfasserIn]
Engelen, Aschwin H [VerfasserIn]
Borin, Sara [VerfasserIn]
Manzari, Caterina [VerfasserIn]
Picardi, Ernesto [VerfasserIn]
Pesole, Graziano [VerfasserIn]
Placido, Antonio [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Anti-Infective Agents
Asparagopsis taxiformis
Dehalogenation
Halogenation
Halogens
Halopteris scoparia
Holobiont
Journal Article
Macroalgae
Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs)
Microbiome
Organohalogens
Sphaerococcus coronopifolius
Video-Audio Media

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 11.03.2024

Date Revised 11.03.2024

published: Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1186/s40168-023-01740-6

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM369442547