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Bridging the Gap: Plant‐Endophyte Interactions as a Roadmap to Understanding Small‐Molecule Communication in Marine Microbiomes
Author(s) -
Samples Robert M.,
Balunas Marcy J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chembiochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1439-7633
pISSN - 1439-4227
DOI - 10.1002/cbic.202000064
Subject(s) - microbiome , biology , holobiont , computational biology , marine invertebrates , bridging (networking) , ecology , endophyte , evolutionary biology , drug discovery , symbiosis , bioinformatics , genetics , computer science , bacteria , computer network , botany
Probing the composition of the microbiome and its association with health and disease states is more accessible than ever due to the rise of affordable sequencing technology. Despite advances in our ability to identify members of symbiont communities, untangling the chemical signaling that they use to communicate with host organisms remains challenging. In order to gain a greater mechanistic understanding of how the microbiome impacts health, and how chemical ecology can be leveraged to advance small‐molecule drug discovery from microorganisms, the principals governing communication between host and symbiont must be elucidated. Herein, we review common modes of interkingdom small‐molecule communication in terrestrial and marine environments, describe the differences between these environments, and detail the advantages and disadvantages for studies focused on the marine environment. Finally, we propose the use of plant‐endophyte interactions as a stepping stone to a greater understanding of similar interactions in marine invertebrates, and ultimately in humans.