Genomic exploration of coral-associated bacteria: identifying probiotic candidates to increase coral bleaching resilience in Galaxea fascicularis
Abstract Background Reef-building corals are acutely threatened by ocean warming, calling for active interventions to reduce coral bleaching and mortality. Corals associate with a wide diversity of bacteria which can influence coral health, but knowledge of specific functions that may be beneficial...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Microbiome |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-023-01622-x |
| _version_ | 1827633712763764736 |
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| author | Talisa Doering Kshitij Tandon Sanjida H. Topa Sacha J. Pidot Linda L. Blackall Madeleine J. H. van Oppen |
| author_facet | Talisa Doering Kshitij Tandon Sanjida H. Topa Sacha J. Pidot Linda L. Blackall Madeleine J. H. van Oppen |
| author_sort | Talisa Doering |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Reef-building corals are acutely threatened by ocean warming, calling for active interventions to reduce coral bleaching and mortality. Corals associate with a wide diversity of bacteria which can influence coral health, but knowledge of specific functions that may be beneficial for corals under thermal stress is scant. Under the oxidative stress theory of coral bleaching, bacteria that scavenge reactive oxygen (ROS) or nitrogen species (RNS) are expected to enhance coral thermal resilience. Further, bacterial carbon export might substitute the carbon supply from algal photosymbionts, enhance thermal resilience and facilitate bleaching recovery. To identify probiotic bacterial candidates, we sequenced the genomes of 82 pure-cultured bacteria that were isolated from the emerging coral model Galaxea fascicularis. Results Genomic analyses showed bacterial isolates were affiliated with 37 genera. Isolates such as Ruegeria, Muricauda and Roseovarius were found to encode genes for the synthesis of the antioxidants mannitol, glutathione, dimethylsulfide, dimethylsulfoniopropionate, zeaxanthin and/or β-carotene. Genes involved in RNS-scavenging were found in many G. fascicularis-associated bacteria, which represents a novel finding for several genera (including Pseudophaeobacter). Transporters that are suggested to export carbon (semiSWEET) were detected in seven isolates, including Pseudovibrio and Roseibium. Further, a range of bacterial strains, including strains of Roseibium and Roseovarius, revealed genomic features that may enhance colonisation and association of bacteria with the coral host, such as secretion systems and eukaryote-like repeat proteins. Conclusions Our work provides an in-depth genomic analysis of the functional potential of G. fascicularis-associated bacteria and identifies novel combinations of traits that may enhance the coral’s ability to withstand coral bleaching. Identifying and characterising bacteria that are beneficial for corals is critical for the development of effective probiotics that boost coral climate resilience. Video Abstract |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:03:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c7d85d6ca6e04b60a94175912918b9fb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2049-2618 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:03:21Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microbiome |
| spelling | doaj.art-c7d85d6ca6e04b60a94175912918b9fb2023-11-26T13:47:32ZengBMCMicrobiome2049-26182023-08-0111111610.1186/s40168-023-01622-xGenomic exploration of coral-associated bacteria: identifying probiotic candidates to increase coral bleaching resilience in Galaxea fascicularisTalisa Doering0Kshitij Tandon1Sanjida H. Topa2Sacha J. Pidot3Linda L. Blackall4Madeleine J. H. van Oppen5School of BioSciences, The University of MelbourneSchool of BioSciences, The University of MelbourneSchool of BioSciences, The University of MelbourneDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of MelbourneSchool of BioSciences, The University of MelbourneSchool of BioSciences, The University of MelbourneAbstract Background Reef-building corals are acutely threatened by ocean warming, calling for active interventions to reduce coral bleaching and mortality. Corals associate with a wide diversity of bacteria which can influence coral health, but knowledge of specific functions that may be beneficial for corals under thermal stress is scant. Under the oxidative stress theory of coral bleaching, bacteria that scavenge reactive oxygen (ROS) or nitrogen species (RNS) are expected to enhance coral thermal resilience. Further, bacterial carbon export might substitute the carbon supply from algal photosymbionts, enhance thermal resilience and facilitate bleaching recovery. To identify probiotic bacterial candidates, we sequenced the genomes of 82 pure-cultured bacteria that were isolated from the emerging coral model Galaxea fascicularis. Results Genomic analyses showed bacterial isolates were affiliated with 37 genera. Isolates such as Ruegeria, Muricauda and Roseovarius were found to encode genes for the synthesis of the antioxidants mannitol, glutathione, dimethylsulfide, dimethylsulfoniopropionate, zeaxanthin and/or β-carotene. Genes involved in RNS-scavenging were found in many G. fascicularis-associated bacteria, which represents a novel finding for several genera (including Pseudophaeobacter). Transporters that are suggested to export carbon (semiSWEET) were detected in seven isolates, including Pseudovibrio and Roseibium. Further, a range of bacterial strains, including strains of Roseibium and Roseovarius, revealed genomic features that may enhance colonisation and association of bacteria with the coral host, such as secretion systems and eukaryote-like repeat proteins. Conclusions Our work provides an in-depth genomic analysis of the functional potential of G. fascicularis-associated bacteria and identifies novel combinations of traits that may enhance the coral’s ability to withstand coral bleaching. Identifying and characterising bacteria that are beneficial for corals is critical for the development of effective probiotics that boost coral climate resilience. Video Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-023-01622-xGalaxea fascicularisReactive oxygen speciesReactive nitrogen speciesNitric oxideOxidative stressCoral probiotics |
| spellingShingle | Talisa Doering Kshitij Tandon Sanjida H. Topa Sacha J. Pidot Linda L. Blackall Madeleine J. H. van Oppen Genomic exploration of coral-associated bacteria: identifying probiotic candidates to increase coral bleaching resilience in Galaxea fascicularis Microbiome Galaxea fascicularis Reactive oxygen species Reactive nitrogen species Nitric oxide Oxidative stress Coral probiotics |
| title | Genomic exploration of coral-associated bacteria: identifying probiotic candidates to increase coral bleaching resilience in Galaxea fascicularis |
| title_full | Genomic exploration of coral-associated bacteria: identifying probiotic candidates to increase coral bleaching resilience in Galaxea fascicularis |
| title_fullStr | Genomic exploration of coral-associated bacteria: identifying probiotic candidates to increase coral bleaching resilience in Galaxea fascicularis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genomic exploration of coral-associated bacteria: identifying probiotic candidates to increase coral bleaching resilience in Galaxea fascicularis |
| title_short | Genomic exploration of coral-associated bacteria: identifying probiotic candidates to increase coral bleaching resilience in Galaxea fascicularis |
| title_sort | genomic exploration of coral associated bacteria identifying probiotic candidates to increase coral bleaching resilience in galaxea fascicularis |
| topic | Galaxea fascicularis Reactive oxygen species Reactive nitrogen species Nitric oxide Oxidative stress Coral probiotics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-023-01622-x |
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