Specificity of marine microbial surface interactions

Abstract

The macromolecular surface components involved in intraspecific cell surface interactions of the green microalga Chlorella vulgaris and closely associated bacteria were investigated. The specific surface attachment between this alga and its associated bacteria is mediated by lectin-like macromolecules associated with the surfaces of these cells. The binding activity of these surface polymers was inhibited by specific simple sugars; this suggests the involvement of specific receptor-ligand binding sites on the interactive surfaces. Epifluorescent microscopic evaluation of bacteria-alga interactions in the presence and absence of the macromolecules that mediate these interactions showed that the glycoproteins active in these processes were specific to the microbial sources from which they were obtained. The demonstration and definition of the specificity of these interactions in mixed microbial populations may play an important role in our understanding of the dynamics of marine microbial populations in the sea.

PRIMARY ADHESION OF ENTEROMORPHA (CHLOROPHYTA, ULVALES) PROPAGULES: QUANTITATIVE SETTLEMENT STUDIES AND VIDEO MICROSCOPY1

“…The complexity of the situation is illustrated by observations on enhanced adhesion of Enteromeha zoospores by mixed microbial biofilms (Dillon et al 1989), although in other studies single species of bacteria inhibit attachment (Thomas and Allsopp 1983). Adhesion of Chlorella vulgaris to glass is enhanced by nondiffusible fractions isolated from seawater, bacterial cultures, and C h b rella itself (Tosteson and Corpe 1975, Iman et al 1984, Tosteson et al 1985). Gregarious settlement behavior has been noted for a number of marine organisms, particularly invertebrates, in which a number of proteinaceous chemical settlement signals (pheromones) has been identified (for reviews see Rittschof 1993, Clare 1995, Walker 1995).…”

Bacterial Enhancement of Vinyl Fouling by Algae

“…Nevertheless, bacterial exudates have been implicated in the attachment of Chlorella spp. to glass (6). The difference in results for axenic cultures of Pleurochloris pyrenoidosa observed by SEM and epifluorescence microscopy may be due to the use of different fixatives in the preparation of specimens for observation.…”

GLYCOCONJUGATE ORGANIZATION OF ENTEROMORPHA (=ULVA) FLEXUOSA AND ULVA FASCIATA (CHLOROPHYTA) ZOOSPORES1

“…Surface-exposed glycoproteins on the flagella also interact directly with the substratum in settlement (Bloodgood and Workman 1984). Attachment behavior involves lectins or lectin-like molecules, and receptors at the cell surfaces in select microbial systems (Imam et al 1984). Specific biochemical recognition between a settling spore and bacterial cell surface or extracellular materials may underlie the enhanced attachment by species of unicellular green algae (Kirchman et al 1982, Imam et al 1984.…”

“…Attachment behavior involves lectins or lectin-like molecules, and receptors at the cell surfaces in select microbial systems (Imam et al 1984). Specific biochemical recognition between a settling spore and bacterial cell surface or extracellular materials may underlie the enhanced attachment by species of unicellular green algae (Kirchman et al 1982, Imam et al 1984. Mitchell and Kirchman (1984) showed that settlement of a unicellular, green alga on bacterial films could be inhibited by treatment of the films with lectins.…”

“…Lectins and complementary GC are thought to function in cellular recognition events in the algae, including gamete recognition and fertilization in species of Chlamydamonas (Weise and Shoemaker 1970, Klis et al 1985, Goodenough et al 1986, Samson et al 1987 and Fucus (Bolwell et al 1979). Lectin-to-GC binding can explain settlement behavior in select algal systems (Tosteson and Corpe 1975, Imam et al 1984, Mitchell and Kirchman 1984, Maki and Mitchell 1986) and has been demonstrated in select marine invertebrates (Kirchman et al 1982, Maki andMitchell 1986). Molecules with lectin-like properties have been isolated from marine algae and found to be distinct according to taxa and functions (Blunden et al 1978, Hori et al 1988, Costas et al 1993, Costas and Rodas 1994, Yoon et al 2008.…”