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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Insights Into the Ecological Role of Pseudomonas spp. in an Ant-plant Symbiosis

Full text
Author(s):
Fukuda, Taise T. H. [1] ; Pereira, Camila F. [1] ; Melo, Weilan G. P. [1] ; Menegatti, Carla [1] ; Andrade, Paulo H. M. [2] ; Groppo, Milton [3] ; Lacava, Paulo T. [2] ; Currie, Cameron R. [4] ; Pupo, Monica T. [1]
Total Authors: 9
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Pharmaceut Sci Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Ctr Biol & Hlth Sci, Dept Morphol & Pathol, Lab Microbiol & Biomol, Sao Carlos - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Philosophy Sci & Letters Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biol, Lab Plant Systemat, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil
[4] Univ Wisconsin, Dept Bacteriol, Madison, WI 53706 - USA
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY; v. 12, FEB 1 2021.
Web of Science Citations: 2
Abstract

In the myrmecophytic mutualistic relationship between Azteca ants and Cecropia plants both species receive protection and exchange nutrients. The presence of microorganisms in this symbiotic system has been reported, and the symbiotic role of some fungi involved in the myrmecophytic interactions has been described. In this work we focus on bacteria within this mutualism, conducting isolations and screening for antimicrobial activities, genome sequencing, and biochemical characterization. We show that Pantoea, Rhizobium, Methylobacterium, Streptomyces and Pseudomonas are the most common cultivable genera of bacteria. Interestingly, Pseudomonas spp. isolates showed potent activity against 83% of the pathogens tested in our antimicrobial activity assays, including a phytopathogenic fungus isolated from Cecropia samples. Given the predicted nitrogen limitations associated with the fungal patches within this myrmecophyte, we performed nitrogen fixation analyses on the bacterial isolates within the Proteobacteria and show the potential for nitrogen fixation in Pseudomonas strains. The genome of one Pseudomonas strain was sequenced and analyzed. The gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of cyclic lipodepsipeptides (CLPs) was identified, and we found mutations that may be related to the loss of function in the dual epimerization/condensation domains. The compound was isolated, and its structure was determined, corresponding to the antifungal viscosinamide. Our findings of diazotrophy and production of viscosinamide in multiple Pseudomonas isolates suggests that this bacterial genus may play an important role in the Cecropia-Azteca symbiosis. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 17/17305-0 - Understanding the bacterial symbiosis in Cecropia-Azteca system using chemical and genetic tools
Grantee:Taise Tomie Hebihara Fukuda
Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
FAPESP's process: 16/26230-0 - Cecropia-Azteca symbiosis study: interspecific microbial interactions as elicitors of antimicrobial activity
Grantee:Camila Fiori Pereira
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
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: 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: 19/19099-3 - Genomic analysis of antibiotic-producing Pseudonocardia associated with Attini ants
Grantee:Weilan Gomes da Paixão Melo
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Technical Training Program - Technical Training
FAPESP's process: 15/26349-5 - Chemical and ecological study of microorganisms associated with the symbiosis Cecropia-Azteca
Grantee:Taise Tomie Hebihara Fukuda
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
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