Symbiosis insights through metagenomic analysis of a microbial consortium

Symbioses between bacteria and eukaryotes are ubiquitous, yet our understanding of the interactions driving these associations is hampered by our inability to cultivate most host-associated microbes. Here we use a metagenomic approach to describe four co-occurring symbionts from the marine oligochae...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Nature 2006-10, Vol.443 (7114), p.950-955
Main Authors:	Rubin, Edward M, Dubilier, Nicole, Woyke, Tanja, Teeling, Hanno, Ivanova, Natalia N, Huntemann, Marcel, Richter, Michael, Gloeckner, Frank Oliver, Boffelli, Dario, Anderson, Iain J, Barry, Kerrie W, Shapiro, Harris J, Szeto, Ernest, Kyrpides, Nikos C, Mussmann, Marc, Amann, Rudolf, Bergin, Claudia, Ruehland, Caroline
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Animal, plant and microbial ecology Animals Annelida Bacteria Biological and medical sciences Carbon - metabolism Digestion - physiology Energy Metabolism Environment Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology General aspects. Techniques Generalities Genomics Marine Marine biology Metabolism Microbial ecology Microbiology Models, Biological Olavius algarvensis Oligochaeta Oligochaeta - microbiology Oligochaeta - physiology Proteobacteria - genetics Proteobacteria - metabolism Symbiosis Symbiosis - genetics Symbiosis - physiology Various environments (extraatmospheric space, air, water) Worms
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Summary:	Symbioses between bacteria and eukaryotes are ubiquitous, yet our understanding of the interactions driving these associations is hampered by our inability to cultivate most host-associated microbes. Here we use a metagenomic approach to describe four co-occurring symbionts from the marine oligochaete Olavius algarvensis, a worm lacking a mouth, gut and nephridia. Shotgun sequencing and metabolic pathway reconstruction revealed that the symbionts are sulphur-oxidizing and sulphate-reducing bacteria, all of which are capable of carbon fixation, thus providing the host with multiple sources of nutrition. Molecular evidence for the uptake and recycling of worm waste products by the symbionts suggests how the worm could eliminate its excretory system, an adaptation unique among annelid worms. We propose a model that describes how the versatile metabolism within this symbiotic consortium provides the host with an optimal energy supply as it shuttles between the upper oxic and lower anoxic coastal sediments that it inhabits.
ISSN:	0028-0836 1476-4687 1476-4679