Open AccessMolecular richness and biotechnological potential of bacteria cultured from Irciniidae sponges in the north‐east Atlantic
Author(s) -
Esteves Ana I.S.,
Hardoim Cristiane C.P.,
Xavier Joana R.,
Gonçalves Jorge M.S.,
Costa Rodrigo
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
fems microbiology ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.377
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1574-6941
pISSN - 0168-6496
DOI - 10.1111/1574-6941.12140
Subject(s) - biology , sponge , 16s ribosomal rna , bacteria , vibrio , microbiology and biotechnology , genome , phylotype , bacteroidetes , chloroflexi (class) , whole genome sequencing , genetics , gene , botany
Several bioactive compounds originally isolated from marine sponges have been later ascribed or suggested to be synthesized by their symbionts. The cultivation of sponge‐associated bacteria provides one possible route to the discovery of these metabolites. Here, we determine the bacterial richness cultured from two irciniid sponge species, S arcotragus spinosulus and I rcinia variabilis , and ascertain their biotechnological potential. A total of 279 isolates were identified from 13 sponge specimens. These were classified into 17 genera – with P seudovibrio , R uegeria and V ibrio as the most dominant – and 3 to 10 putatively new bacterial species. While 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified 29 bacterial phylotypes at the ‘species’ level (97% sequence similarity), whole‐genome BOX ‐ PCR fingerprinting uncovered 155 genotypes, unveiling patterns of specimen‐dependent occurrence of prevailing bacterial genomes across sponge individuals. Among the BOX ‐ PCR genotypes recovered, 34% were active against clinically relevant strains, with V ibrio isolates producing the most active antagonistic effect. Several P seudovibrio genotypes showed the presence of polyketide synthase ( PKS ) genes, and these were for the first time detected in isolates of the genus A quimarina ( B acteroidetes ). Our results highlight great biotechnological potential and interest for the Irciniidae sponge family and their diversified bacterial genomes.