Abstract
Chitinase producing bacteria can involve extensively in nutrient cycling and energy flow in the aquatic environment through degradation and utilization of chitin. It is well known that diatoms cells are encased by box-like frustules composed of chitin. Thus the chitin containing of diatoms shall be a natural target of chitinase producing bacteria, however, the interaction between these two organismic groups has not been studied thus far. Therefore, in this study, the algicidal mechanism of one chitinase producing bacterium (strain LY03) on Thalassiosira pseudonana was investigated. The algicidal range and algicidal mode of strain LY03 were first studied, and then bacterial viability, chemotactic ability and direct interaction characteristic between bacteria and diatom were also confirmed. Finally, the characteristic of the intracellular algicidal substance was identified and the algicidal mechanism was determined whereby algicidal bacterial cells showed chemotaxis to algal cells, fastened themselves on algal cells with their flagella, and then produced chitinase to degrade algal cell walls, and eventually caused algal lysis and death. It is the first time to investigate the interaction between chitinase producing bacteria and diatoms, and this novel special interaction mode was confirmed in this study, which will be helpful in protection and utilization of diatoms resources.
Highlights
Chitin is the most abundant natural polysaccharide which is combined by N-acetylglucosamine through a β, 1–4-linked polymer[1], and is extracted primarily from shellfish sources
Chitinase producing bacteria play an important function in the aquatic environment based on their extensive involvement in energy cycling and nutrient flow[15], there have been a large number of studies to confirm that microorganisms, bacteria, constitute one of the major sources of chitinase, which caused great interest because of broad applications in antibacterial and antifungal treatments as a source of medicines, in health foods and animal feeds[16,17,18]
To determine the algicidal effect of chitinase producing bacterium, strain LY03 on different marine algae with or without chitin, we investigated the algicidal range of strain LY03
Summary
Chitin is the most abundant natural polysaccharide which is combined by N-acetylglucosamine through a β, 1–4-linked polymer[1], and is extracted primarily from shellfish sources. Quantities of chitin are produced and accumulated annually, which are rich, important nutrient and energy source[2]. The degradation and utilization of chitin by many chitinase producing bacteria is a key nutrient cycling and energy flow in the marine environment[3]. Marine phytoplankton account for the major primary production and have a strong influence on global nutrient cycling[5], and some members of the phytoplankton are protected by cell walls containing chitin, especially the marine diatoms. Understanding interactions between chitinase producing bacteria and diatoms is of primary importance to deciphering oceanic nutrient cycles and energy fluxes. Chitinimonas prasina LY03, which can produce chitinase to degrade diatom frustules was used to investigate the interaction between bacterium and diatom. We set out to confirm the direct algicidal activity of chitinase producing bacteria on diatoms
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