Characterization of membrane vesicles in Alteromonas macleodii indicates potential roles in their copiotrophic lifestyle.

Author(s)
Eduard Fadeev, Cécile Carpaneto Bastos, Jennifer H Hennenfeind, Steven J Biller, Daniel Sher, Matthias Wietz, Gerhard J Herndl
Abstract

Bacterial membrane vesicles (MVs) are abundant in the oceans, but their potential functional roles remain unclear. In this study we characterized MV production and protein content of six strains of

Alteromonas macleodii, a cosmopolitan marine bacterium.

Alteromonas macleodii strains varied in their MV production rates, with some releasing up to 30 MVs per cell per generation. Microscopy imaging revealed heterogenous MV morphologies, including some MVs aggregated within larger membrane structures. Proteomic characterization revealed that

A. macleodii MVs are rich in membrane proteins related to iron and phosphate uptake, as well as proteins with potential functions in biofilm formation. Furthermore, MVs harbored ectoenzymes, such as aminopeptidases and alkaline phosphatases, which comprised up to 20% of the total extracellular enzymatic activity. Our results suggest that

A. macleodii MVs may support its growth through generation of extracellular 'hotspots' that facilitate access to essential substrates. This study provides an important basis to decipher the ecological relevance of MVs in heterotrophic marine bacteria.

Organisation(s)
Functional and Evolutionary Ecology
External organisation(s)
Wellesley College, University of Haifa, Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Max-Planck-Institut für marine Mikrobiologie, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
Journal
Microlife
Volume
4
ISSN
2633-6693
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/femsml/uqac025
Publication date
2023
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
106021 Marine biology
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Immunology and Microbiology(all)
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 14 - Life Below Water
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/characterization-of-membrane-vesicles-in-alteromonas-macleodii-indicates-potential-roles-in-their-copiotrophic-lifestyle(c6591378-c53f-4506-ab13-bf98af59de80).html