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A predator-prey interaction between a marine Pseudoalteromonas sp. and Gram-positive bacteria

Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: Predator-prey interactions play important roles in the cycling of marine organic matter. Here we show that a Gram-negative bacterium isolated from marine sediments (Pseudoalteromonas sp. strain CF6-2) can kill Gram-positive bacteria of diverse peptidoglycan (PG) chemotypes by secreting the metalloprotease pseudoalterin. Secretion of the enzyme requires a Type II secretion system. Pseudoalterin binds to the glycan strands of Gram positive bacterial PG and degrades the PG peptide chains, leading to cell death. The released nutrients, including PG-derived D-amino acids, can then be utilized by strain CF6-2 for growth. Pseudoalterin synthesis is induced by PG degradation products such as glycine and glycine-rich oligopeptides. Genes encoding putative pseudoalterin-like proteins are found in many other marine bacteria. This study reveals a new microbial interaction in the ocean.
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-14133-x
Authors: Bai-Lu Tang, Jie Yang, Xiu-Lan Chen, Peng Wang, Hui-Lin Zhao, Hai-Nan Su, Chun-Yang Li, Yang Yu, Shuai Zhong, Lei Wang, Ian Lidbury, Haitao Ding, Min Wang, Andrew McMinn, Xi-Ying Zhang, Yin Chen, Yu-Zhong Zhang
Institutions: Shandong University, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Ocean University of China, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, University of Warwick, Polar Research Institute of China, University of Tasmania, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,380
OpenAlex ID: W3000479037
FWCI: 13.96
Cites: 56
Cited by: 143
Related to: 10