Algal p-coumaric acid induces oxidative stress and siderophore biosynthesis in the bacterial symbiont Phaeobacter inhibens.

TitleAlgal p-coumaric acid induces oxidative stress and siderophore biosynthesis in the bacterial symbiont Phaeobacter inhibens.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsWang, R, Gallant, É, Wilson, MZ, Wu, Y, Li, A, Gitai, Z, Seyedsayamdost, MR
JournalCell Chem Biol
Volume29
Issue4
Pagination670-679.e5
Date Published2022 Apr 21
ISSN2451-9448
KeywordsCoumaric Acids, Oxidative Stress, Rhodobacteraceae, Secondary Metabolism, Siderophores
Abstract

<p>The marine alpha-proteobacterium Phaeobacter inhibens engages in intermittent symbioses with microalgae. The symbiosis is biphasic and concludes in a parasitic phase, during which the bacteria release algaecidal metabolites in response to algal p-coumaric acid (pCA). The cell-wide effects of pCA on P. inhibens remain unknown. Herein, we report a microarray-based transcriptomic study and find that genes related to the oxidative stress response and secondary metabolism are upregulated most, while those associated with energy production and motility are downregulated in the presence of pCA. Among genes upregulated is a previously unannotated biosynthetic gene cluster and, using a combination of gene deletions and metabolic profiling, we show that it gives rise to an unreported siderophore, roseobactin. The simultaneous production of algaecides and roseobactin in the parasitic phase allows the bacteria to take up any iron that is released from dying algal cells, thereby securing a limited micronutrient.</p>

DOI10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.08.002
Alternate JournalCell Chem Biol
PubMed ID34437838
PubMed Central IDPMC8866538
Grant ListDP1 AI124669 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States