Marinella Silva Laport
@microbiologia.ufrj.br
Instituto de Microbiologia - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in biomedicine (1996) at the Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, a Master (1998) and a Ph.D. (2003) at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). I completed my post-doctoral work at the Fiocruz, Brazil (2003-2004), and at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (2012-2014), in Belgium. I have been a full professor at the UFRJ since 2004. I received a grant for Scientists of Rio de Janeiro State (from 2009 to date), and CNPq Research Scientist fellowship (from 2016 to date). I have been elected to the Board of the International Marine Biotechnology Association (IMBA-EUA, 2022-2031). I currently develop and coordinate research activities in the Marine and Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory at the Institute of Microbiology, UFRJ, where I supervise undergraduate and graduate students. My research focuses on microbial diversity in natural and human-impacted aquatic ecosystems (freshwaters, coastal waters, marine caves, sediments); symbioses of
EDUCATION
I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in biomedicine (1996) at the Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, a Master (1998) and a Ph.D. (2003) at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). I completed my post-doctoral work at the Fiocruz, Brazil (2003-2004), and at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (2012-2014), in Belgium. I have been a full professor at the UFRJ since 2004.
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Microbiology
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Guilherme Muricy, Anaíra Lage, Joana Sandes, Michelle Klautau, Ulisses Pinheiro, Marinella Silva Laport, Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, Carolline Braga Pequeno, and Matheus Vieira Lopes
MDPI AG
Submarine caves are important biodiversity reservoirs, but there is little information about the biota of marine caves in the Southwestern Atlantic. Here, we describe three submarine cavities and their sponge communities on the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Northeast Brazil. The underwater cavities were explored and collections were made through scuba diving from 5 to 18 m depths. Sapata Cave has a wide semi-dark zone near the entrance, a narrow transition zone, and a dark chimney, which is closed at the top. Ilha do Meio Cave is narrower and shallower than Sapata Cave, but has a long passage that leads to two completely dark rooms. Pedras Secas Tunnel has only a semi-dark zone with high water movement. The sponge communities in the semi-dark zones of the three cavities are rich and dominated by the classes Demospongiae and Homoscleromorpha, but Calcarea are also common. The transition zones of both caves are dominated by a desma-bearing sponge, thinly encrusting spirastrellids, and small Homoscleromopha and Calcarea. The dark zone in Ilha do Meio Cave is almost azoic, with only three species. This study has increased the number of sponge species known in submarine cavities on Fernando de Noronha from 29 to 69, highlighting the great richness of the sponge communities in these cryptic environments.
Anna Luiza Bauer Canellas, Beatriz Balthazar Abdon, Matheus Nunes Diniz, Gabrielle da Silva Oliveira Alves, Marcos Felipe de Paula Lourenço, Wilson Thadeu Valle Machado, Marcia Giambiagi‐deMarval, Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, and Marinella Silva Laport
Wiley
AbstractPlastics have quickly become one of the major pollutants in aquatic environments worldwide and solving the plastic pollution crisis is considered a central goal of modern society. In this study, 10 different plastic samples, including high‐ and low‐density polyethylene and polypropylene, were collected from a deeply polluted urban estuary in Brazil. By employing different isolation and analysis approaches to investigate plastic‐associated bacteria, a predominance of potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, and Vibrio was observed throughout all plastic samples. Bacteria typically found in the aquatic environment harboured clinically relevant genes encoding resistance to carbapenems (blaKPC) and colistin (such as mcr‐3 and mcr‐4), along with genetic determinants associated with potentially active gene mobilization. Whole genome sequencing and annotation of three plastic‐associated Vibrio strains further demonstrated the carriage of mobile genetic elements and antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes. On the other hand, bacteria isolated from the same samples were also able to produce esterases, lipases, and bioemulsifiers, thus highlighting that the plastisphere could also be of special interest from a biotechnological perspective.
Wellington Felipe Costa, Rodolfo Paranhos, Marianne Pataro Mello, Renata Cristina Picão, and Marinella Silva Laport
Wiley
AbstractBacterial resistance to antimicrobials is a global public health problem that surpasses the human context and can be increased by pollution. However, the lack of systematic monitoring of resistance in some aquatic matrices, such as tropical estuaries, makes it unknown whether its occurrence is associated with anthropogenic pollution in these environments. Therefore, we investigated the occurrence of extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamases (ESBLs) producing Escherichia coli as a resistance indicator for 12 consecutive months at three representative points of a pollution gradient in Guanabara Bay (GB), Brazil. Sixty‐six E. coli strains were selected from 72 samples of GB waters in the presence of ceftriaxone (8 μg mL−1) and identified by MALDI‐TOF MS. Of the 66, 55 (83.3%) strains were ESBL producers. They carried beta‐lactamase/ESBL genes, with the predominance of blaCTX‐M (54, 98.2%), especially the blaCTX‐M‐1,2 allele (49.1%). These strains were detected frequently (81.8%) from the point with the highest pollution levels. Furthermore, the marker for Class 1 integron, intI1 gene, was detected in 54.5% of ESBL producers. These data suggest an association between antimicrobial‐resistant E. coli and sewage pollution in aquatic environments raising concerns about the possible risks of human exposure to these waters and fish consumption.
Fernanda S. Short, Gisele Lôbo-Hajdu, Suzana M. Guimarães, Marinella S. Laport, and Rosane Silva
MDPI AG
Bioindicator species are used to assess the damage and magnitude of possible impacts of anthropic origin on the environment, such as the reckless consumption of antimicrobials. Chelonia mydas has several characteristics that make it a suitable bioindicator of marine pollution and of the presence of pathogens that cause diseases in humans. This study aimed to investigate the green sea turtle as a reservoir of resistant bacteria, mainly because C. mydas is the most frequent sea turtle species in Brazilian coastal regions and, consequently, under the intense impact of anthropic factors. Free-living green sea turtles ranging from 42.8 to 92 cm (average = 60.7 cm) were captured from Itaipú Beach, Brazil. Cloaca samples (characterizing the gastrointestinal tract) and neck samples (representing the transient microbiota) were collected. Bacterial species were identified, and their was resistance associated with the antimicrobials cephalothin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, tetracycline, and vancomycin. Citrobacter braaki, Klebsiella oxytoca, K. variicola and Proteus mirabilis were found resistant to cephalothin and Morganella morganii and Enterococcus faecalis tetracycline-resistant isolates in cloaca samples. In neck samples, species resistant to tetracycline were Salmonella sp., Serratia marcescens, S. ureylitica and Proteus mirabilis. This data reinforces that the green turtle is a bioindicator of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Anna Luiza Bauer Canellas, Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, Suzanne de Oliveira Nunes, Camila Adão Malafaia, Ana Claudia F. Amaral, Daniel Luiz Reis Simas, Ivana Correa Ramos Leal, and Marinella Silva Laport
MDPI AG
Staphylococci are one of the most common causes of biofilm-related infections. Such infections are hard to treat with conventional antimicrobials, which often lead to bacterial resistance, thus being associated with higher mortality rates while imposing a heavy economic burden on the healthcare system. Investigating antibiofilm strategies is an area of interest in the fight against biofilm-associated infections. Previously, a cell-free supernatant from marine-sponge-associated Enterobacter sp. inhibited staphylococcal biofilm formation and dissociated the mature biofilm. This study aimed to identify the chemical components responsible for the antibiofilm activity of Enterobacter sp. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the aqueous extract at the concentration of 32 μg/mL could dissociate the mature biofilm. Liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry revealed seven potential compounds in the aqueous extract, including alkaloids, macrolides, steroids, and triterpenes. This study also suggests a possible mode of action on staphylococcal biofilms and supports the potential of sponge-derived Enterobacter as a source of antibiofilm compounds.
Bárbara Ribeiro, André Padua, Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, Gabriela Puccinelli, Flávio da Costa Fernandes, Marinella Silva Laport, and Michelle Klautau
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Anna Luiza Bauer Canellas, Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, and Marinella Silva Laport
MDPI AG
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become one of the greatest challenges worldwide, hampering the treatment of a plethora of infections. Indeed, the AMR crisis poses a threat to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and, due to its multisectoral character, a holistic approach is needed to tackle this issue. Thus, the investigation of environments beyond the clinic is of utmost importance. Here, we investigated thirteen strains of antimicrobial-resistant Aeromonas isolated from an urban estuary in Brazil. Most strains carried at least one antimicrobial resistance gene and 11 carried at least one heavy metal resistance gene. Noteworthy, four (30.7%) strains carried the blaKPC gene, coding for a carbapenemase. In particular, the whole-genome sequence of Aeromonas hydrophila strain 34SFC-3 was determined, revealing not only the presence of antimicrobial and heavy metal resistance genes but also a versatile virulome repertoire. Mobile genetic elements, including insertion sequences, transposons, integrative conjugative elements, and an IncQ1 plasmid were also detected. Considering the ubiquity of Aeromonas species, their genetic promiscuity, pathogenicity, and intrinsic features to endure environmental stress, our findings reinforce the concept that A. hydrophila truly is a “Jack of all trades’’ that should not be overlooked under the One Health perspective.
Marinella Silva Laport, Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, Jéssyca Freitas-Silva, Anna Luiza Bauer Canellas, and Wellington Felipe Costa
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Abstract: The sponge-microorganism partnership is one of the most successful symbiotic associations exploited from a biotechnological perspective. During the last thirty years, sponge-associated bacteria have been increasingly harnessed for bioactive molecules, notably antimicrobials and cytotoxic compounds. Unfortunately, there are gaps in sponge microbial biotechnology, with a multitude of applications being understudied or ignored. In this context, the current perspective aims to shed light on these underrated facets of sponge microbial biotechnology with a balance of existent reports and proposals for further research in the field. Our overview has showcased that the members of the sponge microbiome produce biomolecules whose usage can be valuable for several economically- relevant and demanding sectors. Outside the exhaustive search for antimicrobial secondary metabolites, sponge-associated microorganisms are gifted producers of antibiofilm, antivirulence and chronic diseases-attenuating substances highly envisaged by the pharmaceutical industry. Despite still at an infant stage of research, anti-ageing enzymes and pigments of special interest for the cosmetic and cosmeceutical sectors have also been reported from the sponge microbial symbionts. In a world urging for sustainability, sponge-associated microorganisms have been proven as fruitful resources for bioremediation, including recovery of heavy-metal contaminated areas, bioleaching processes, and as bioindicators of environmental pollution. In conclusion, we propose alternatives to better assess these neglected biotechnological applications of the sponge microbiome in the hope of sparking the interest of the scientific community toward their deserved exploitation.
Anna Luiza Bauer Canellas and Marinella Silva Laport
Informa UK Limited
Abstract The genus Aeromonas comprises Gram-negative bacilli widely distributed in aquatic habitats that can also be found in the terrestrial environment and in close association with humans and animals. Aeromonas spp. are particularly versatile bacteria, with high genomic plasticity and notable capacity to adapt to different environments and extreme conditions. On account of being mostly associated with their pathogenic potential, research on the biotechnological potentialities of Aeromonas spp. is considerably scarce when compared to other bacterial groups. Nonetheless, studies over the years have been hinting at several interesting hidden potentialities in this bacterial group, especially with the recent advances in whole-genome sequencing, unveiling Aeromonas spp. as interesting candidates for the discovery of novel industrial biocatalysts, bioremediation strategies, and biopolyester production. In this context, the present study aims to provide an overview of the main biotechnological applications reported in the genus Aeromonas and provide new insights into the further exploration of these frequently overlooked, yet fascinating, bacteria.
Jéssyca Freitas-Silva, Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, Gabriel Rodrigues Dias, Marianna Machado de Carvalho, and Marinella Silva Laport
Informa UK Limited
Abstract Microbial surfactants are particularly useful in bioremediation and heavy metal removal from soil and aquatic environments, amongst other highly valued uses in different economic and biomedical sectors. Marine sponge-associated bacteria are well-known producers of bioactive compounds with a wide array of potential applications. However, little progress has been made on investigating biosurfactants produced by these bacteria, especially when compared with other groups of biologically active molecules harnessed from the sponge microbiome. Using a thorough literature search in eight databases, the purpose of the review was to compile the current knowledge on biosurfactants from sponge-associated bacteria, with a focus on their relevant biotechnological applications. From the publications between the years 1995 and 2021, lipopeptides and glycolipids were the most identified chemical classes of biosurfactants. Firmicutes was the dominant phylum of biosurfactant-producing strains, followed by Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. Bioremediation led as the most promising application field for the studied surface-active molecules in sponge-derived bacteria, despite the reports endorsed their use as antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents. Finally, we appoint some key strategies to instigate the research appetite on the isolation and characterization of novel biosurfactants from the poriferan microbiome.
Thiago Silva de Oliveira, Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, Flavia Costa Carvalho de Andrade, Carolina Reis Guimarães, Mateus Gomes de Godoy, and Marinella Silva Laport
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Anna Luiza Bauer Canellas, Wellington Felipe Costa, Jéssyca Freitas-Silva, Isabelle Rodrigues Lopes, Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, and Marinella Silva Laport
Elsevier BV
Clodagh M. Carr, Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, Stephen A. Jackson, Marinella Silva Laport, David J. Clarke, and Alan D. W. Dobson
Frontiers Media SA
Many marine bacteria produce extracellular enzymes that degrade complex molecules to facilitate their growth in environmental conditions that are often harsh and low in nutrients. Marine bacteria, including those inhabiting sea sponges, have previously been reported to be a promising source of polyesterase enzymes, which have received recent attention due to their potential ability to degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. During the screening of 51 marine bacterial isolates for hydrolytic activities targeting ester and polyester substrates, a Brachybacterium ginsengisoli B129SM11 isolate from the deep-sea sponge Pheronema sp. was identified as a polyesterase producer. Sequence analysis of genomic DNA from strain B129SM11, coupled with a genome “mining” strategy, allowed the identification of potential polyesterases, using a custom database of enzymes that had previously been reported to hydrolyze PET or other synthetic polyesters. This resulted in the identification of a putative PET hydrolase gene, encoding a polyesterase-type enzyme which we named BgP that shared high overall similarity with three well-characterized PET hydrolases—LCC, TfCut2, and Cut190, all of which are key enzymes currently under investigation for the biological recycling of PET. In silico protein analyses and homology protein modeling offered structural and functional insights into BgP, and a detailed comparison with Cut190 revealed highly conserved features with implications for both catalysis and substrate binding. Polyesterase activity was confirmed using an agar-based polycaprolactone (PCL) clearing assay, following heterologous expression of BgP in Escherichia coli. This is the first report of a polyesterase being identified from a deep-sea sponge bacterium such as Brachybacterium ginsengisoli and provides further insights into marine-derived polyesterases, an important family of enzymes for PET plastic hydrolysis. Microorganisms living in association with sponges are likely to have increased exposure to plastics and microplastics given the wide-scale contamination of marine ecosystems with these plastics, and thus they may represent a worthwhile source of enzymes for use in new plastic waste management systems. This study adds to the growing knowledge of microbial polyesterases and endorses further exploration of marine host-associated microorganisms as a potentially valuable source of this family of enzymes for PET plastic hydrolysis.
Raquel Silva, Levy Domingos, Gabriellen de Castro, Marinella Laport, Antônio Ferreira-Pereira, Murilo Lima, and Fernando Cotinguiba
Sociedade Brasileira de Quimica (SBQ)
A chemical investigation of the stem of Waltheria indica (Malvaceae) yielded twelve 4-quinolone alkaloids, which were primarily waltheriones. These were waltherione A (1), waltherione B (2), waltherione C (3), waltherione G (4), waltherione H (5), waltherione J (6), waltherione L (7), waltherione P (8), chamaedrone (9), 8-deoxy-antidesmone (10), antidesmone (11), and the previously unreported alkaloid N-methoxy-waltherione A (12). These alkaloids belong to an unusual class of 4-quinolones and therefore, have chemosystematic significance for distinguishing the Waltheria and Melochia genera from the rest of the Malvaceae family. The ability of the alkaloid isolates to reverse the phenotypic expression of fluconazole-resistance was tested by using a mutant strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that expressed a Candida albicans transporter. Of the isolates tested, waltherione G afforded a positive result. Leishmanicidal activity and bactericidal tests were also performed using the isolated alkaloids, which showed promising results.
Wellington Felipe Costa, Marcia Giambiagi-deMarval, and Marinella Silva Laport
MDPI AG
Vibrio is an important human and animal pathogen that can carry clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes and is present in different aquatic environments. However, there is a knowledge gap between antibiotic and heavy metal resistance and virulence potential when it is part of the microbiota from marine invertebrates. Here, we aimed to evaluate these characteristics and the occurrence of mobile genetic elements. Of 25 non-cholera Vibrio spp. from marine sponges and sea urchins collected at the coastlines of Brazil and France analyzed in this study, 16 (64%) were non-susceptible to antibiotics, and two (8%) were multidrug-resistant. Beta-lactam resistance (blaSHV) and virulence (vhh) genes were detected in sponge-associated isolates. The resistance gene for copper and silver (cusB) was detected in one sea urchin isolate. Plasmids were found in 11 (44%) of the isolates. This new information allows a better comprehension of antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments, since those invertebrates host resistant Vibrio spp. Thus, Vibrio associated with marine animals may pose a potential risk to public health due to carrying these antibiotic-resistant genes.
Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, Isabelle Rodrigues Lopes, Anna Luiza Bauer Canellas, Guilherme Muricy, Stephen Anthony Jackson, Alan D.W. Dobson, and Marinella Silva Laport
Elsevier BV
A.L.B. Canellas, W.F. Costa, R. Paranhos, and M.S. Laport
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Antimicrobial resistance is widely studied and well‐characterized from a clinical perspective. However, considerably less information is available regarding resistance in environmental settings, especially in aquatic habitats. This study presents data regarding the occurrence, distribution and the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacteria isolated from Guanabara Bay (GB), a heavily polluted tropical urban estuary and an important tourist attraction in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Water samples from sites characterized by growing degrees of pollution were analysed by culture‐dependent methods, revealing the presence of multidrug‐resistant bacteria and clinically relevant indicators of antimicrobial resistance, such as extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamases. Isolates were identified by mass spectrometry, which indicated the presence of potential human pathogens such as Aeromonas spp. and Vibrio spp. Bacteria harbouring beta‐lactam resistance genes were also detected. Although GB is widely used as a recreational and fishing area, there is a substantial knowledge gap regarding the monitoring of antimicrobial resistance and the risk that exposure to these waters poses to public health. Thus, this study reveals new information that calls for better comprehension of antimicrobial resistance in aquatic environments, especially those used for recreational purposes.
A. Rodriguez Jimenez, E. Dechamps, A. Giaux, L. Goetghebuer, M. Bauwens, P. Willenz, S. Flahaut, M.S. Laport, and I.F. George
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of cultivable bacteria associated with the marine sponges Hymeniacidon perlevis and Halichondria panicea against multi‐drug–resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Márcia Silva Francisco, Ciro César Rossi, Maria Aparecida Vasconcelos Paiva Brito, Marinella Silva Laport, Elaine Menezes Barros, and Marcia Giambiagi-deMarval
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
AbstractBiofilm formation is a central feature to guarantee staphylococcal persistence in hosts and is associated with several diseases that are difficult to treat. In this research paper, biofilm formation and antimicrobial susceptibility were investigated in staphylococcal strains belonging to several species. These strains were isolated from the milk of cows with subclinical mastitis and most of them were coagulase-negative, with the prevalence of Staphylococcus chromogenes. High genetic diversity was observed among the strains by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Antimicrobial resistance was assessed by disk diffusion and more than 50% of the strains were resistant to ampicillin and penicillin G, with multi-resistance profiles (13.6%) also being observed. Most strains (65.9%) formed biofilms when cultivated in BHI supplemented with 1% glucose. Most strains (72.7%) carried the intercellular adhesion gene (icaA), while less than half (36.3%) carried the biofilm-associated protein gene (bap). Concentrations of up to 10xMIC of erythromycin and tetracycline were not sufficient to suppress cell viability in preformed biofilms. Our results revealed that a genetically diverse group of biofilm-forming Staphylococcus species can be involved in subclinical mastitis. Since high antimicrobial concentrations cannot eradicate biofilm cells in vitro, their use in dairy animals may be ineffective in controlling infections, while supporting selection of resistant microorganisms. These data reinforce the need for alternative therapies aiming at disrupting biofilms for effective disease control.
Anna L. B. Canellas, Isabelle R. Lopes, Marianne P. Mello, Rodolfo Paranhos, Bruno F. R. de Oliveira, and Marinella S. Laport
MDPI AG
The genus Vibrio comprises pathogens ubiquitous to marine environments. This study evaluated the cultivable Vibrio community in the Guanabara Bay (GB), a recreational, yet heavily polluted estuary in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Over one year, 66 water samples from three locations along a pollution gradient were investigated. Isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, revealing 20 Vibrio species, including several potential pathogens. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing confirmed resistance to aminoglycosides, beta-lactams (including carbapenems and third-generation cephalosporins), fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines. Four strains were producers of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL), all of which carried beta-lactam and heavy metal resistance genes. The toxR gene was detected in all V. parahaemolyticus strains, although none carried the tdh or trh genes. Higher bacterial isolation rates occurred in months marked by higher water temperatures, lower salinities, and lower phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations. The presence of non-susceptible Vibrio spp. was related to indicators of eutrophication and sewage inflow. DNA fingerprinting analyses revealed that V. harveyi and V. parahaemolyticus strains non-susceptible to antimicrobials might persist in these waters throughout the year. Our findings indicate the presence of antimicrobial-resistant and potentially pathogenic Vibrio spp. in a recreational environment, raising concerns about the possible risks of human exposure to these waters.
Suzanne de Oliveira Nunes, Bruno Francesco Rodrigues Oliveira, Marcia Giambiagi-deMarval, and Marinella Silva Laport
Elsevier BV
Jéssyca Freitas-Silva, Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, Felipe de Mello Vigoder, Guilherme Muricy, Alan D. W. Dobson, and Marinella Silva Laport
Frontiers Media SA
Bacillus pumilus64-1, a bacterial strain isolated from the marine spongePlakina cyanorosea, which exhibits antimicrobial activity against both pathogenic and drug-resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. This study aimed to conduct an in-depth genomic analysis of this bioactive sponge-derived strain. The nearly complete genome of strain 64-1 consists of 3.6 Mbp (41.5% GC), which includes 3,705 coding sequences (CDS). An open pangenome was observed when limiting to the type strains of theB. pumilusgroup and aquatic-derivedB. pumilusrepresentatives. The genome appears to encode for at least 12 potential biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), including both types I and III polyketide synthases (PKS), non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS), and one NRPS-T1PKS hybrid, among others. In particular, bacilysin and other bacteriocin-coding genes were found and may be associated with the detected antimicrobial activity. Strain 64-1 also appears to possess a broad repertoire of genes encoding for plant cell wall-degrading carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). A myriad of genes which may be involved in various process required by the strain in its marine habitat, such as those encoding for osmoprotectory transport systems and the biosynthesis of compatible solutes were also present. Several heavy metal tolerance genes are also present, together with various mobile elements including a region encoding for a type III-B Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) region, four prophage segments and transposase elements. This is the first report on the genomic characterization of a cultivable bacterial member of thePlakina cyanoroseaholobiont.
Suzanne de Oliveira Nunes, Heloisa da Silva Rosa, Anna Luiza Bauer Canellas, Maria Teresa Villela Romanos, Katia R.N. dos Santos, Guilherme Muricy, Walter M.R. Oelemann, and Marinella Silva Laport
Elsevier BV
Bruno F. R. Oliveira, Isabelle R. Lopes, Anna L. B. Canellas, Guilherme Muricy, Alan D. W. Dobson, and Marinella S. Laport
MDPI AG
Marine sponges are excellent examples of invertebrate–microbe symbioses. In this holobiont, the partnership has elegantly evolved by either transmitting key microbial associates through the host germline and/or capturing microorganisms from the surrounding seawater. We report here on the prokaryotic microbiota during different developmental stages of Plakina cyanorosea and their surrounding environmental samples by a 16S rRNA metabarcoding approach. In comparison with their source adults, larvae housed slightly richer and more diverse microbial communities, which are structurally more related to the environmental microbiota. In addition to the thaumarchaeal Nitrosopumilus, parental sponges were broadly dominated by Alpha- and Gamma-proteobacteria, while the offspring were particularly enriched in the Vibrionales, Alteromonodales, Enterobacterales orders and the Clostridia and Bacteroidia classes. An enterobacterial operational taxonomic unit (OTU) was the dominant member of the strict core microbiota. The most abundant and unique OTUs were not significantly enriched amongst the microbiomes from host specimens included in the sponge microbiome project. In a wider context, Oscarella and Plakina are the sponge genera with higher divergence in their associated microbiota compared to their Homoscleromorpha counterparts. Our results indicate that P. cyanorosea is a low microbial abundance sponge (LMA), which appears to heavily depend on the horizontal transmission of its microbial partners that likely help the sponge host in the adaptation to its habitat.