Previously uncharacterized rectangular bacterial structures in the dolphin mouth

Autor(en)
Natasha K Dudek, Jesus G Galaz-Montoya, Handuo Shi, Megan Mayer, Cristina Danita, Arianna I Celis, Tobias Viehboeck, Gong-Her Wu, Barry Behr, Silvia Bulgheresi, Kerwyn Casey Huang, Wah Chiu, David A Relman
Abstrakt

Much remains to be explored regarding the diversity of uncultured, host-associated microbes. Here, we describe rectangular bacterial structures (RBSs) in the mouths of bottlenose dolphins. DNA staining revealed multiple paired bands within RBSs, suggesting the presence of cells dividing along the longitudinal axis. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and tomography showed parallel membrane-bound segments that are likely cells, encapsulated by an S-layer-like periodic surface covering. RBSs displayed unusual pilus-like appendages with bundles of threads splayed at the tips. We present multiple lines of evidence, including genomic DNA sequencing of micromanipulated RBSs, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and fluorescence in situ hybridization, suggesting that RBSs are bacterial and distinct from the genera Simonsiella and Conchiformibius (family Neisseriaceae), with which they share similar morphology and division patterning. Our findings highlight the diversity of novel microbial forms and lifestyles that await characterization using tools complementary to genomics such as microscopy.

Organisation(en)
Department für Mikrobiologie und Ökosystemforschung, Department für Funktionelle und Evolutionäre Ökologie
Externe Organisation(en)
Stanford University, University of California, Santa Cruz, SLAC Natl Accelerator Lab, Harvard University, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, Denver VA Medical Center
Journal
Nature Communications
Band
14
ISSN
2041-1723
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37638-y
Publikationsdatum
04-2023
Peer-reviewed
Ja
ÖFOS 2012
106022 Mikrobiologie
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
General, Physics and Astronomy(all), Chemistry(all), Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
Link zum Portal
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/de/publications/previously-uncharacterized-rectangular-bacterial-structures-in-the-dolphin-mouth(d664d66b-ea30-43f9-81ff-048f419c2265).html