The Jekyll-and-Hyde chemistry of Phaeobacter gallaeciensis.

TitleThe Jekyll-and-Hyde chemistry of Phaeobacter gallaeciensis.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsSeyedsayamdost, MR, Case, RJ, Kolter, R, Clardy, J
JournalNat Chem
Volume3
Issue4
Pagination331-5
Date Published2011 Apr
ISSN1755-4349
KeywordsBacteria, Bacterial Toxins, Biosynthetic Pathways, Cell Proliferation, Coumaric Acids, Crystallography, X-Ray, Haptophyta, Inhibitory Concentration 50, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry, Microalgae, Models, Biological, Molecular Conformation, Molecular Structure, Propionates, Roseobacter, Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet, Symbiosis
Abstract

<p>Emiliania huxleyi, an environmentally important marine microalga, has a bloom-and-bust lifestyle in which massive algal blooms appear and fade. Phaeobacter gallaeciensis belongs to the roseobacter clade of α-Proteobacteria, the populations of which wax and wane with that of E. huxleyi. Roseobacter are thought to promote algal growth by biosynthesizing and secreting antibiotics and growth stimulants (auxins). Here we show that P. gallaeciensis switches its secreted small molecule metabolism to the production of potent and selective algaecides, the roseobacticides, in response to p-coumaric acid, an algal lignin breakdown product that is symptomatic of aging algae. This switch converts P. gallaeciensis into an opportunistic pathogen of its algal host.</p>

DOI10.1038/nchem.1002
Alternate JournalNat Chem
PubMed ID21430694
PubMed Central IDPMC3376411
Grant ListR01 GM082137 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
K99 GM098299 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 GM086258 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
GM82137 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA024487 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
GM58213 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
CA24487 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R00 GM098299 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 GM058213 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
GM086258 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States