Actinobacteria associated with stingless bees biosynthesize bioactive polyketides against bacterial pathogens

Author(s)

Rodriguez-Hernandez, Diego ^[1] ; Melo, Weilan G. P. ^[1] ; Menegatti, Carla ^[1] ; Lourenzon, Vitor B. ^[1] ; do Nascimento, Fabio S. ^[2] ; Pupo, Monica T. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut Ribeirao Preto, Dept Ciencias Farmaceut, BR-14040903 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biol, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY; v. 43, n. 25, p. 10109-10117, JUL 7 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Social insects can establish nutritional, communication and defensive symbiotic associations with microorganisms, among which actinobacteria play important roles in these symbioses. Stingless bees are characterized by keeping their colonies free of diseases and parasites. These bees have evolved different protective strategies, but most are still unknown. Here we explore the potential of stingless bee Melipona scutellaris to associate with actinobacteria to suppress pathogenic microbes. Seven actinobacterial strains were isolated from foraging and nurse bees and identified through 16S rRNA sequencing. Three of these strains exhibited pronounced growth inhibition against the specialized pathogen of honey bees Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American Foulbrood. Bioassay-guided HPLC fractionation, followed by NMR and mass spectrometry-based structure elucidation, revealed the presence of lobophorin (1-4) and anthracycline (5-15) families isolated from strains Streptomyces sp. ICBG1323 and Micromonospora sp. ICBG1321, all responsible for this activity. Our results suggest that M. scutellaris bees engage in defensive symbiosis with actinobacteria that produce antibacterial small molecules, helping to keep their colonies healthy. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/01188-4 - Relationship of the protozoan Crithidia spp with bacterioma associated with the stingless bee Melipona scutellaris: chemical, ecological and pharmacological studies
• Grantee: Diego Carlos Rodriguez Hernandez
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 13/50954-0 - Novel therapeutic agents from the bacterial symbionts of Brazilian invertebrates
• Grantee: Mônica Tallarico Pupo
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/17620-4 - Bacterial symbionts associated with stingless bee Melipona scutellaris as sources of bioactive natural products
• Grantee: Carla Menegatti
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 16/15576-3 - Natural products involved in symbiosis between actinobacteria and social insects
• Grantee: Carla Menegatti
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/01001-6 - Discovering bacterial symbionts diversity associated with ants in different Brazilian biomes
• Grantee: Weilan Gomes da Paixão Melo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/07153-0 - Application of OSMAC and co-culture approaches to diversify the secondary metabolism of Streptomyces albiaxialis ICBG1318
• Grantee: Vitor Bruno Lourenzon
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation