Reduction of mussel metamorphosis by inactivation of the bacterial thioesterase gene via alteration of the fatty acid composition. Issue 8 (14th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hu, Xiao-Meng; Zhang, Junbo; Ding, Wen-Yang; Liang, Xiao; Wan, Rong; Dobretsov, Sergey; Yang, Jin-Long
• Is Part Of: Biofouling. Volume 37:Issue 8(2021)
• Page Start: 911
• Page End: 921
• Publication Date: 2021-09-14
• Subjects: Mussel -- metamorphosis -- bacteria -- biofilm -- thioesterase gene -- fatty acid -- c-di-GMP; Marine fouling organisms -- Periodicals; Materials -- Biodeterioration -- Periodicals; Fouling -- Periodicals; Biodegradation -- Periodicals; Environmental Microbiology -- Periodicals; Water Microbiology -- Periodicals; 576.165
• DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2021.1981882
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0892-7014

Abstract

Abstract: The molecular mechanism underlying modulation of metamorphosis of the bivalve Mytilus coruscus by bacteria remains unclear. Here, the functional role of the thioesterase gene tesA of the bacterium Pseudoalteromonas marina in larval metamorphosis was examined. The aim was to determine whether inactivation of the tesA gene altered the biofilm-inducing capacity, bacterial cell motility, biopolymers, or the intracellular c-di-GMP levels. Complete inactivation of tesA increased the c-di-GMP content in P. marina, accompanied by a reduced fatty acid content, weaker motility, upregulation of bacterial aggregation, and biofilm formation. The metamorphosis rate of mussel larvae on Δ tesA biofilms was reduced by ∼ 80% compared with those settling on wild-type P. marina . Exogenous addition of a mixture of extracted fatty acids from P. marina into the Δ tesA biofilms promoted the biofilm-inducing capacity. This study suggests that the bacterial thioesterase gene tesA altered the fatty acid composition of Δ tesA P. marina biofilms (BF) through regulation of its c-di-GMP, subsequently impacting mussel metamorphosis.