Exploring the Diversity and Biotechnological Potential of Cultured and Uncultured Coral-Associated Bacteria
Coral-associated microbes are crucial for the biology of their hosts, contributing to nutrient cycling, adaptation, mitigation of toxic compounds, and biological control of pathogens. Natural products from coral-associated micro-organisms (CAM) may possess unique traits. Despite this, the use of CAM...
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/11/2235 |
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| author | Caren Leite Spindola Vilela Helena Dias Müller Villela Caio Tavora Coelho da Costa Rachid Flávia Lima do Carmo Alane Beatriz Vermelho Raquel Silva Peixoto |
| author_facet | Caren Leite Spindola Vilela Helena Dias Müller Villela Caio Tavora Coelho da Costa Rachid Flávia Lima do Carmo Alane Beatriz Vermelho Raquel Silva Peixoto |
| author_sort | Caren Leite Spindola Vilela |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Coral-associated microbes are crucial for the biology of their hosts, contributing to nutrient cycling, adaptation, mitigation of toxic compounds, and biological control of pathogens. Natural products from coral-associated micro-organisms (CAM) may possess unique traits. Despite this, the use of CAM for biotechnological purposes has not yet been adequately explored. Here, we investigated the production of commercially important enzymes by 37 strains of bacteria isolated from the coral species <i>Mussismilia braziliensis</i>, <i>Millepora alcicornis</i>, and <i>Porites astreoides</i>. In-vitro enzymatic assays showed that up to 56% of the isolates produced at least one of the seven enzymes screened (lipase, caseinase, keratinase, cellulase, chitinase, amylase, and gelatinase); one strain, identified as <i>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i> produced all these enzymes. Additionally, coral species-specific cultured and uncultured microbial communities were identified. The phylum Firmicutes predominated among the isolates, including the genera <i>Exiguobacterium, Bacillus</i>, and <i>Halomonas</i>, among others. Next-generation sequencing and bacteria culturing produced similar but also complementary data, with certain genera detected only by one or the other method. Our results demonstrate the importance of exploring different coral species as sources of specific micro-organisms of biotechnological and industrial interest, at the same time reinforcing the economic and ecological importance of coral reefs as reservoirs of such diversity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:16:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-eadc8fdd381c4ee4adbb6b557dcb8ccd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:16:17Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj.art-eadc8fdd381c4ee4adbb6b557dcb8ccd2023-11-23T00:28:23ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072021-10-01911223510.3390/microorganisms9112235Exploring the Diversity and Biotechnological Potential of Cultured and Uncultured Coral-Associated BacteriaCaren Leite Spindola Vilela0Helena Dias Müller Villela1Caio Tavora Coelho da Costa Rachid2Flávia Lima do Carmo3Alane Beatriz Vermelho4Raquel Silva Peixoto5Department of General Microbiology, Paulo de Goes Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941912, BrazilDepartment of General Microbiology, Paulo de Goes Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941912, BrazilDepartment of General Microbiology, Paulo de Goes Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941912, BrazilDepartment of General Microbiology, Paulo de Goes Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941912, BrazilDepartment of General Microbiology, Paulo de Goes Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941912, BrazilDepartment of General Microbiology, Paulo de Goes Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941912, BrazilCoral-associated microbes are crucial for the biology of their hosts, contributing to nutrient cycling, adaptation, mitigation of toxic compounds, and biological control of pathogens. Natural products from coral-associated micro-organisms (CAM) may possess unique traits. Despite this, the use of CAM for biotechnological purposes has not yet been adequately explored. Here, we investigated the production of commercially important enzymes by 37 strains of bacteria isolated from the coral species <i>Mussismilia braziliensis</i>, <i>Millepora alcicornis</i>, and <i>Porites astreoides</i>. In-vitro enzymatic assays showed that up to 56% of the isolates produced at least one of the seven enzymes screened (lipase, caseinase, keratinase, cellulase, chitinase, amylase, and gelatinase); one strain, identified as <i>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i> produced all these enzymes. Additionally, coral species-specific cultured and uncultured microbial communities were identified. The phylum Firmicutes predominated among the isolates, including the genera <i>Exiguobacterium, Bacillus</i>, and <i>Halomonas</i>, among others. Next-generation sequencing and bacteria culturing produced similar but also complementary data, with certain genera detected only by one or the other method. Our results demonstrate the importance of exploring different coral species as sources of specific micro-organisms of biotechnological and industrial interest, at the same time reinforcing the economic and ecological importance of coral reefs as reservoirs of such diversity.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/11/2235coral-associated micro-organisms (CAM)microbial diversitybiotechnologyenzymescoral reefshydrolases |
| spellingShingle | Caren Leite Spindola Vilela Helena Dias Müller Villela Caio Tavora Coelho da Costa Rachid Flávia Lima do Carmo Alane Beatriz Vermelho Raquel Silva Peixoto Exploring the Diversity and Biotechnological Potential of Cultured and Uncultured Coral-Associated Bacteria Microorganisms coral-associated micro-organisms (CAM) microbial diversity biotechnology enzymes coral reefs hydrolases |
| title | Exploring the Diversity and Biotechnological Potential of Cultured and Uncultured Coral-Associated Bacteria |
| title_full | Exploring the Diversity and Biotechnological Potential of Cultured and Uncultured Coral-Associated Bacteria |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the Diversity and Biotechnological Potential of Cultured and Uncultured Coral-Associated Bacteria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the Diversity and Biotechnological Potential of Cultured and Uncultured Coral-Associated Bacteria |
| title_short | Exploring the Diversity and Biotechnological Potential of Cultured and Uncultured Coral-Associated Bacteria |
| title_sort | exploring the diversity and biotechnological potential of cultured and uncultured coral associated bacteria |
| topic | coral-associated micro-organisms (CAM) microbial diversity biotechnology enzymes coral reefs hydrolases |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/11/2235 |
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