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, Allgemeine Physik und Astronomie, Allgemeine Chemie, Allgemeine Biochemie, Genetik und Molekularbiologie

Link zum Portal

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/de/publications/d664d66b-ea30-43f9-81ff-048f419c2265