Competitive interactions between sponge-associated bacteria

Abstract

The diversity of the microbial communities associated with marine sponges has been extensively studied, but their functioning and interactions within the sponge holobiont are only recently being appreciated. Sponge-associated microorganisms are known for the production of a range of inhibitory metabolites with biotechnological application, but the ecological role that these compounds remains elusive. In this work, we explore the competitive interactions between cultivated sponge-associated bacteria to inspect whether bacteria that produce antimicrobial activities are able to inhibit potentially pathogenic bacteria. We isolated a Bacillus sp. bacterium with sponge-degrading activity, which likely has a negative impact on the host. This bacterium, along with other sponge isolates from the same genus, was found to be inhibited by a subpopulation of closely related sponge-derived Pseudovibrio spp. In some Pseudovibrio strains, these inhibitory activities were correlated with the genetic capacity to produce polyketides, such as erythronolide. Our observations suggest that antagonistic activities likely influence the composition of the sponge microbiome, including the abundance of bacteria that can be harmful to the host.

Ecology and Biotechnological Potential of Bacteria Belonging to the Genus Pseudovibrio

“…in two coral species irrespective of animal age and health status (24,71). Interestingly, several Pseudovibrio isolates strongly inhibited potential sponge pathogens of the genus Bacillus and the coral pathogens Vibrio coralliilyticus and Vibrio owensii (59,72,73). These data suggest that Pseudovibrio spp.…”

“…One of the most appealing features of bacteria belonging to the Pseudovibrio genus is their antagonistic properties against a wide variety of microorganisms, including E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, Kluyveromyces marxianus, Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Clostridium difficile (22,23,79). These properties have been described for Pseudovibrio strains isolated around the world, from different types of sponges, and from different marine invertebrates (19,72,(80)(81)(82)(83). Additional bioactivities have been assigned to these bacteria in the last number of years.…”

Host genetics and geography influence microbiome composition in the spongeIrcinia campana

“…Further to these potential mechanisms, the sponge itself cannot be considered in isolation; selection of seawater bacteria is likely to be performed by the entire holobiont. The timing and order in which microbes join a sponge microbiome may have secondary effects on determining succession and ultimately community composition (historical contingency; Costello, Stagaman, Dethlefsen, Bohannan, & Relman, ), with competitive interactions occurring among community members (Esteves, Cullen, & Thomas, ). Because of this, influence of the host genotype on even a relatively small proportion of the microbiome could increase its reach in shaping community composition.…”

Population structure and microbial community diversity of two common tetillid sponges in a tropical reef lagoon

“…Bacteria-bacteria interactions may play a role in structuring the sponge microbial community. Some sponge-associated bacteria can inhibit the growth of other members of the community through the production of various compounds and regulatory signals (Esteves, Cullen & Thomas, 2017;Gutiérrez-Barranquero et al, 2017). For instance, Bdellovibrio, which is enriched in Paratetilla sp., is an active predator of other microorganisms and produces compounds that attack the cell walls of other bacteria (Beck et al, 2004).…”

“…microbiomes. Endozoicomonas, which is abundant in Paratetilla sp., can produce quorum sensing metabolites and demonstrates antimicrobial properties against potentially harmful microbes (Esteves, Cullen & Thomas, 2017;Mohamed et al, 2008;Morrow et al, 2015;Rua et al, 2014). We hypothesize that the abundance of protective genes in the tetillid sponge-associated symbionts may be an adaptation to stressful conditions, such as high temperatures, high sedimentation rates, and eutrophic waters, that are frequently encountered in the reef lagoon.…”