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Mohammed V, Arockiaraj J. Unveiling the trifecta of cyanobacterial quorum sensing: LuxI, LuxR and LuxS as the intricate machinery for harmful algal bloom formation in freshwater ecosystems. Sci Total Environ 2024; 924:171644. [PMID: 38471587 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are causing significant disruptions in freshwater ecosystems, primarily due to the proliferation of cyanobacteria. These blooms have a widespread impact on various lakes globally, leading to profound environmental and health consequences. Cyanobacteria, with their ability to produce diverse toxins, pose a particular concern as they negatively affect the well-being of humans and animals, exacerbating the situation. Notably, cyanobacteria utilize quorum sensing (QS) as a complex communication mechanism that facilitates coordinated growth and toxin production. QS plays a critical role in regulating the dynamics of HABs. However, recent advances in control and mitigation strategies have shown promising results in effectively managing and reducing the occurrence of HABs. This comprehensive review explores the intricate aspects of cyanobacteria development in freshwater ecosystems, explicitly focusing on deciphering the signaling molecules associated with QS and their corresponding genes. Furthermore, a concise overview of diverse measures implemented to efficiently control and mitigate the spread of these bacteria will be provided, shedding light on the ongoing global efforts to address this urgent environmental issue. By deepening our understanding of the mechanisms driving cyanobacteria growth and developing targeted control strategies, we hope to safeguard freshwater ecosystems and protect the health of humans and animals from the detrimental impacts of HABs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vajagathali Mohammed
- Department of Forensic Science, Yenepoya Institute of Arts, Science, Commerce, and Management, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru 575013, Karnataka, India
| | - Jesu Arockiaraj
- Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Riehle E, Beach DG, Multrus S, Parmar TP, Martin-Creuzburg D, Dietrich DR. Fate of Planktothrix-derived toxins in aquatic food webs: A case study in Lake Mindelsee (Germany). Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2024; 273:116154. [PMID: 38422789 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Blooms of the red, filamentous cyanobacterium Planktothrix rubescens occur frequently in pre-alpine lakes in Europe, often with concomitant toxic microcystin (MC) production. Trophic transfer of MCs has been observed in bivalves, fish, and zooplankton species, while uptake of MCs into Diptera species could facilitate distribution of MCs into terrestrial food webs and habitats. In this study, we characterized a Planktothrix bloom in summer 2019 in Lake Mindelsee and tracked possible trophic transfer and/or bioaccumulation of MCs via analysis of phytoplankton, zooplankton (Daphnia) and emergent aquatic insects (Chaoborus, Chironomidae and Trichoptera). Using 16 S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we found that five sequence variants of Planktothrix spp. were responsible for bloom formation in September and October of 2019, and these MC-producing variants, provisionally identified as P. isothrix and/or P. serta, occurred exclusively in Lake Mindelsee (Germany), while other variants were also detected in nearby Lake Constance. The remaining cyanobacterial community was dominated by Cyanobiaceae species with high species overlap with Lake Constance, suggesting a well-established exchange of cyanobacteria species between the adjacent lakes. With targeted LC-HRMS/MS we identified two MC-congeners, MC-LR and [Asp3]MC-RR with maximum concentrations of 45 ng [Asp3]MC-RR/L in lake water in September. Both MC congeners displayed different predominance patterns, suggesting that two different MC-producing species occurred in a time-dependent manner, whereby [Asp3]MC-RR was clearly associated with the Planktothrix spp. bloom. We demonstrate an exclusive transfer of MC-LR, but not [Asp3]MC-RR, from phytoplankton into zooplankton reaching a 10-fold bioconcentration, yet complete absence of these MC congeners or their conjugates in aquatic insects. The latter demonstrated a limited trophic transfer of MCs from zooplankton to zooplanktivorous insect larvae (e.g., Chaoborus), or direct transfer into other aquatic insects (e.g. Chironomidae and Trichoptera), whether due to avoidance or limited uptake and/or rapid excretion of MCs by higher trophic emergent aquatic insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Riehle
- University of Konstanz, Human and Environmental Toxicology Research Group, Universitaetsstrasse 10, Konstanz 78464, Germany.
| | - Daniel G Beach
- National Research Council Canada, Biotoxin Metrology, 1411 Oxford St., Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 3Z1, Canada
| | - Selina Multrus
- University of Konstanz, Human and Environmental Toxicology Research Group, Universitaetsstrasse 10, Konstanz 78464, Germany
| | - Tarn Preet Parmar
- Brandenburg Technical University (BTU), Cottbus-Senftenberg, Department of Aquatic Ecology, Seestrasse 45, Bad Saarow 15526, Germany
| | - Dominik Martin-Creuzburg
- Brandenburg Technical University (BTU), Cottbus-Senftenberg, Department of Aquatic Ecology, Seestrasse 45, Bad Saarow 15526, Germany
| | - Daniel R Dietrich
- University of Konstanz, Human and Environmental Toxicology Research Group, Universitaetsstrasse 10, Konstanz 78464, Germany.
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Xia X, Liao Y, Liu J, Leung SK, Lee PY, Zhang L, Tan Y, Liu H. Genomic and Transcriptomic Insights into Salinity Tolerance-Based Niche Differentiation of Synechococcus Clades in Estuarine and Coastal Waters. mSystems 2023; 8:e0110622. [PMID: 36622156 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01106-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cluster 5 Synechococcus is one of the most important primary producers on earth. However, ecotypes of this genus exhibit complex geographical distributions, and the genetic basis of niche partitioning is still not fully understood. Here, we report distinct distributions of subcluster 5.1 (SC5.1) and subcluster 5.2 (SC5.2) Synechococcus in estuarine waters, and we reveal that salinity is the main factor determining their distribution. Clade III (belonging to SC5.1) and CB4 (belonging to SC5.2) are dominant clades in the study region, with different ecological distributions. We further conducted physiological, genomic, and transcriptomic studies of Synechococcus strains YX04-3 and HK05, which are affiliated with clade III and CB4, respectively. Laboratory tests showed that HK05 could grow at low salinity (13 ppt), whereas the growth of YX04-3 was suppressed when salinity decreased to 13 ppt. Genomic and transcriptomic analysis suggested that euryhaline clade CB4 is capable of dealing with a sudden drop of salinity by releasing compatible solutes through mechanosensitive channels that are coded by the mscL gene, decreasing biosynthesis of organic osmolytes, and increasing expression of heat shock proteins and high light-inducible proteins to protect photosystem. Furthermore, CB4 strain HK05 exhibited a higher growth rate when growing at low salinity than at high salinity. This is likely achieved by reducing its biosynthesis of organic osmolyte activity and increasing its photosynthetic activity at low salinity, which allowed it to enhance the assimilation of inorganic carbon and nitrogen. Together, these results provide new insights regarding the ecological distribution of SC5.2 and SC5.1 ecotypes and their underlying molecular mechanisms. IMPORTANCE Synechococcus is a group of unicellular Cyanobacteria that are widely distributed in global aquatic ecosystems. Salinity is a factor that affects the distribution of microorganisms in estuarine and coastal environments. In this study, we studied the distribution pattern of Synechococcus community along the salinity gradient in a subtropical estuary. By using omic methods, we unveiled genetic traits that determine the niche partitioning of euryhaline and strictly marine Synechococcus. We also explored the strategies employed by euryhaline Synechococcus to cope with a sudden drop of salinity, and revealed possible mechanisms for the higher growth rate of euryhaline Synechococcus in low salinity conditions. This study provides new insight into the genetic basis of niche partitioning of Synechococcus clades.
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Cabello-Yeves PJ, Scanlan DJ, Callieri C, Picazo A, Schallenberg L, Huber P, Roda-Garcia JJ, Bartosiewicz M, Belykh OI, Tikhonova IV, Torcello-Requena A, De Prado PM, Millard AD, Camacho A, Rodriguez-Valera F, Puxty RJ. α-cyanobacteria possessing form IA RuBisCO globally dominate aquatic habitats. ISME J 2022; 16:2421-2432. [PMID: 35851323 PMCID: PMC9477826 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-022-01282-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
RuBisCO (ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) is one the most abundant enzymes on Earth. Virtually all food webs depend on its activity to supply fixed carbon. In aerobic environments, RuBisCO struggles to distinguish efficiently between CO2 and O2. To compensate, organisms have evolved convergent solutions to concentrate CO2 around the active site. The genetic engineering of such inorganic carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) into plants could help facilitate future global food security for humankind. In bacteria, the carboxysome represents one such CCM component, of which two independent forms exist: α and β. Cyanobacteria are important players in the planet's carbon cycle and the vast majority of the phylum possess a β-carboxysome, including most cyanobacteria used as laboratory models. The exceptions are the exclusively marine Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus that numerically dominate open ocean systems. However, the reason why marine systems favor an α-form is currently unknown. Here, we report the genomes of 58 cyanobacteria, closely related to marine Synechococcus that were isolated from freshwater lakes across the globe. We find all these isolates possess α-carboxysomes accompanied by a form 1A RuBisCO. Moreover, we demonstrate α-cyanobacteria dominate freshwater lakes worldwide. Hence, the paradigm of a separation in carboxysome type across the salinity divide does not hold true, and instead the α-form dominates all aquatic systems. We thus question the relevance of β-cyanobacteria as models for aquatic systems at large and pose a hypothesis for the reason for the success of the α-form in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro J Cabello-Yeves
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Microbiología, Universidad Miguel Hernández, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
| | - David J Scanlan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Cristiana Callieri
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Water Research (IRSA), Verbania, Italy
| | - Antonio Picazo
- Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, E-46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Paula Huber
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (INTECH), UNSAM-CONICET., Av. Intendente Marino Km 8,200, 7130, Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI), CONICET-UNL., Ciudad Universitaria-Paraje el Pozo s/n, 3000, Santa Fé, Argentina
| | - Juan J Roda-Garcia
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Microbiología, Universidad Miguel Hernández, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Maciej Bartosiewicz
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Olga I Belykh
- Limnological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 278, 664033, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Irina V Tikhonova
- Limnological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 278, 664033, Irkutsk, Russia
| | | | | | - Andrew D Millard
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Antonio Camacho
- Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, E-46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco Rodriguez-Valera
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Microbiología, Universidad Miguel Hernández, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Richard J Puxty
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
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Schallenberg LA, Pearman JK, Burns CW, Wood SA. Metabarcoding Reveals Lacustrine Picocyanobacteria Respond to Environmental Change Through Adaptive Community Structuring. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:757929. [PMID: 34867882 PMCID: PMC8633389 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.757929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Picocyanobacteria (Pcy) are important yet understudied components of lake foodwebs. While phylogenetic studies of isolated strains reveal a high diversity of freshwater genotypes, little is known about abiotic drivers associated with Pcy in different lakes. Due to methodological limitations, most previous studies assess potential drivers using total cell abundances as a response, with often conflicting and inconsistent results. In the present study, we explored how picocyanobacterial communities respond to environmental change using a combination of epifluorescence microscopy and community data determined using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding. Temporal shifts in picocyanobacterial abundance, diversity and community dynamics were assessed in relation to potential environmental drivers in five contrasting lakes over 1year. Cell abundances alone were not consistently related to environmental variables across lakes. However, the addition of metabarcoding data revealed diverse picocyanobacterial communities that differed significantly between lakes, driven by environmental variables related to trophic state. Within each lake, communities were temporally dynamic and certain amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were strongly associated with specific environmental drivers. Rapid shifts in community structure and composition were often related to environmental changes, indicating that lacustrine Pcy can persist at high abundances through collective community adaptation. These results demonstrate that a combination of microscopy and metabarcoding enables an in-depth characterisation of picocyanobacterial communities and reveals strain-specific drivers. We recommend that future studies cease referring to picocyanobacterial as one functional group and take strain specific variability into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John K. Pearman
- Coastal and Freshwater Group, Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand
| | - Carolyn W. Burns
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Susanna A. Wood
- Coastal and Freshwater Group, Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand
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