Daniels Benjamin N, Nurge Jenna, De Smet Chanel, Sleeper Olivia, White Crow, Davidson Jean M, Fidopiastis Pat
Department of Biological Sciences, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, USA.
Microbiol Spectr. 2024 Feb 9;12(3):e0351423. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.03514-23.
Microbiomes have gained significant attention in ecological research, owing to their diverse interactions and essential roles within different organismal ecosystems. Microorganisms, such as bacteria, archaea, and viruses, have profound impact on host health, influencing digestion, metabolism, immune function, tissue development, and behavior. This study investigates the microbiome diversity and function of Kellet's whelk () perivitelline fluid (PVF), which sustains thousands of developing embryos within a polysaccharide and protein matrix. Our core microbiome analysis reveals a diverse range of bacteria, with the genus being the most abundant. Additionally, genes related to host-microbe interactions, symbiosis, and quorum sensing were detected, indicating a potential symbiotic relationship between the microbiome and Kellet's whelk embryos. Furthermore, the microbiome exhibits gene expression related to antibiotic biosynthesis, suggesting a defensive role against pathogenic bacteria and potential discovery of novel antibiotics. Overall, this study sheds light on the microbiome's role in Kellet's whelk development, emphasizing the significance of host-microbe interactions in vulnerable life history stages. To our knowledge, ours is the first study to use 16S sequencing coupled with RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to profile the microbiome of an invertebrate PVF.IMPORTANCEThis study provides novel insight to an encapsulated system with strong evidence of symbiosis between the microbial inhabitants and developing host embryos. The Kellet's whelk perivitelline fluid (PVF) contains microbial organisms of interest that may be providing symbiotic functions and potential antimicrobial properties during this vulnerable life history stage. This study, the first to utilize a comprehensive approach to investigating Kellet's whelk PVF microbiome, couples 16S rRNA gene long-read sequencing with RNA-seq. This research contributes to and expands our knowledge on the roles of beneficial host-associated microbes.
由于微生物群落（微生物组）在不同生物生态系统中具有多样的相互作用和重要作用，因此在生态研究中受到了广泛关注。细菌、古菌和病毒等微生物对宿主健康具有深远影响，会影响消化、代谢、免疫功能、组织发育和行为。本研究调查了香螺（）卵周液（PVF）的微生物群落多样性和功能，卵周液在多糖和蛋白质基质中维持着数千个发育中的胚胎。我们的核心微生物群落分析揭示了多种细菌，其中属最为丰富。此外，还检测到了与宿主 - 微生物相互作用、共生和群体感应相关的基因，这表明微生物群落与香螺胚胎之间可能存在共生关系。此外，微生物群落还表现出与抗生素生物合成相关的基因表达，这表明其对病原菌具有防御作用，并有可能发现新型抗生素。总体而言，本研究揭示了微生物群落在香螺发育中的作用，强调了宿主 - 微生物相互作用在脆弱生命史阶段的重要性。据我们所知，我们的研究是首次使用16S测序结合RNA测序（RNA-seq）来分析无脊椎动物卵周液微生物群落的研究。重要性本研究为一个封闭系统提供了新的见解，有力证明了微生物居民与发育中的宿主胚胎之间的共生关系。香螺卵周液（PVF）含有感兴趣的微生物，这些微生物可能在这个脆弱的生命史阶段提供共生功能和潜在的抗菌特性。本研究首次采用综合方法研究香螺卵周液微生物群落，将16S rRNA基因长读长测序与RNA-seq相结合。这项研究有助于并扩展了我们对有益宿主相关微生物作用的认识。
