Metagenomic Analysis of Microbial Symbionts in a Gutless Worm

Journal Article · Mon May 01 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · Nature

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/nature05192· OSTI ID:974268

Woyke, Tanja; Teeling, Hanno; Ivanova, Natalia N; Hunteman, Marcel; Richter, Michael; Gloeckner, Frank Oliver; Boeffelli, Dario; Barry, Kerrie W; Shapiro, Harris J; Anderson, Iain J; Szeto, Ernest; Kyrpides, Nikos C; Mussmann, Marc; Amann, Rudolf; Bergin, Claudia; Ruehland, Caroline; Rubin, Edward M; Dubilier, Nicole

Symbioses between bacteria and eukaryotes are ubiquitous, yet our understanding of the interactions driving these associations is hampered by our inability to cultivate most host-associated microbes. Here we use a metagenomic approach to describe four co-occurring symbionts from the marine oligochaete Olavius algarvensis, a worm lacking a mouth, gut and nephridia. Shotgun sequencing and metabolic pathway reconstruction revealed that the symbionts are sulphur-oxidizing and sulphate-reducing bacteria, all of which are capable of carbon fixation, thus providing the host with multiple sources of nutrition. Molecular evidence for the uptake and recycling of worm waste products by the symbionts suggests how the worm could eliminate its excretory system, an adaptation unique among annelid worms. We propose a model that describes how the versatile metabolism within this symbiotic consortium provides the host with an optimal energy supply as it shuttles between the upper oxic and lower anoxic coastal sediments that it inhabits.

• Research Organization: Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: Genomics Division
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 974268
• Report Number(s): LBNL-2723E
• Journal Information: Nature, Journal Name: Nature
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANNELIDS
AVAILABILITY
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL PATHWAYS
CARBON
METABOLISM
NUTRITION
RECYCLING
SEDIMENTS
WASTES