Isolation, diversity and antimicrobial activity of planctomycetes from the Tejo river estuary (Portugal)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Vitorino, IR (Author) Other; Lobo da Cunha, A (Author) Other; Vitor Vasconcelos (Author) FCUP; Vicente, F (Author) Other; lage, om (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: FEMS Microbiology Ecology

Vol. 98

ISSN: 0168-6496

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 5 Citations

Scopus

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00W-VQK

DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiac066

Abstract (EN): The discovery of new bioactive compounds is an invaluable aid to the development of new drugs. Strategies for finding novel molecules can focus on the exploitation of less studied organisms and ecosystems such as planctomycetes and brackish habitats. The unique cell biology of the underexplored Planctomycetota mean it is of particular interest. In this study, we aimed to isolate planctomycetes from the estuary of the Tejo river (Portugal). To reach this goal, macroalgae, water and sediments were sampled and diverse media and isolation techniques applied. Sixty-nine planctomycetal strains were brought into pure culture. An analysis of the 16S rRNA genes found that the majority of the isolates were affiliated to the genus Rhodopirellula. Putative novel taxa belonging to genera Stieleria and Rhodopirellula were also isolated and characterized morphologically. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus fingerprinting analyses showed higher diversity and different genotypes within close strains. Relevant biosynthetic gene clusters were found in most isolates and acetone extracts from representative strains exhibited mild antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Our work has not only enlarged the number and diversity of cultured planctomycetes but has also shown the potential for the discovery of bioactive compounds from the novel taxa. An isolation study performed in the Tejo estuary (Portugal) reveals novel planctomycetes with biotechnological potencial.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14