Planctomycetes and rnacroalgae, a striking association

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

lage, om (Author) FCUP; bondoso, j (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Frontiers in Microbiology

Vol. 5

ISSN: 1664-302X

Publisher: FRONTIERS MEDIA SA

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 153 Citations

Scopus - 156 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-KVW

DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00267

Abstract (EN): Planctomycetes are part of the complex microbial biofilm community of a wide range of macroalgae. Recently, some studies began to unveil the great diversity of Planctomycetes present in this microenvironment and the interactions between the two organisms. Culture dependent and independent methods revealed the existence of a great number of species but, so far, only less than 10 species have been isolated. Planctomycetes comprise the genera Rhodopirellula, Blastopirellula, and Planctomyces, Phycisphaera and the uncultured class OM190 and some other taxa have only been found in this association. Several factors favor the colonization of macroalgal surfaces by planctomycetes. Many species possess holdfasts for attachment. The macroalgae secrete various sulfated polysaccharides that are the substrate for the abundant sulfatases produced by planctomycetes. Specificity between planctomycetes and macroalgae seem to exist which may be related to the chemical nature of the polysaccharides produced by each macroalga. Furthermore, the peptidoglycan-free cell wall of planctomycetes allows them to resist the action of several antimicrobial compounds produced by the macroalgae or other bacteria in the biofilm community that are effective against biofouling by other microorganisms. Despite the increase in our knowledge on the successful planctomycetes-macroalgae association, a great effort to fully understand this interaction is needed.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9