Diversity and evolution of phycobilisomes in marine Synechococcus spp.: a comparative genomics study

Background Marine Synechococcus owe their specific vivid color (ranging from blue-green to orange) to their large extrinsic antenna complexes called phycobilisomes, comprising a central allophycocyanin core and rods of variable phycobiliprotein composition. Three major pigment types can be defined depending on the major phycobiliprotein found in the rods (phycocyanin, phycoerythrin I or phycoerythrin II). Among strains containing both phycoerythrins I and II, four subtypes can be distinguished based on the ratio of the two chromophores bound to these phycobiliproteins. Genomes of eleven marine Synechococcus strains recently became available with one to four strains per pigment type or subtype, allowing an unprecedented comparative genomics study of genes involved in phycobilisome metabolism. Results By carefully comparing the Synechococcus genomes, we have retrieved candidate genes potentially required for the synthesis of phycobiliproteins in each pigment type. This includes linker polypeptides, phycobilin lyases and a number of novel genes of uncharacterized function. Interestingly, strains belonging to a given pigment type have similar phycobilisome gene complements and organization, independent of the core genome phylogeny (as assessed using concatenated ribosomal proteins). While phylogenetic trees based on concatenated allophycocyanin protein sequences are congruent with the latter, those based on phycocyanin and phycoerythrin notably differ and match the Synechococcus pigment types. Conclusion We conclude that the phycobilisome core has likely evolved together with the core genome, while rods must have evolved independently, possibly by lateral transfer of phycobilisome rod genes or gene clusters between Synechococcus strains, either via viruses or by natural transformation, allowing rapid adaptation to a variety of light niches

Débat sur les perspectives économiques à court terme du 20 avril 2017

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Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus have Evolved Different Adaptive Mechanisms to Cope with Light and UV Stress.

International audienceProchlorococcus and Synechococcus, which numerically dominate vast oceanic areas, are the two most abundant oxygenic phototrophs on Earth. Although they require solar energy for photosynthesis, excess light and associated high UV radiations can induce high levels of oxidative stress that may have deleterious effects on their growth and productivity. Here, we compared the photophysiologies of the model strains Prochlorococcus marinus PCC 9511 and Synechococcus sp. WH7803 grown under a bell-shaped light/dark cycle of high visible light supplemented or not with UV. Prochlorococcus exhibited a higher sensitivity to photoinactivation than Synechococcus under both conditions, as shown by a larger drop of photosystem II (PSII) quantum yield at noon and different diel patterns of the D1 protein pool. In the presence of UV, the PSII repair rate was significantly depressed at noon in Prochlorococcus compared to Synechococcus. Additionally, Prochlorococcus was more sensitive than Synechococcus to oxidative stress, as shown by the different degrees of PSII photoinactivation after addition of hydrogen peroxide. A transcriptional analysis also revealed dramatic discrepancies between the two organisms in the diel expression patterns of several genes involved notably in the biosynthesis and/or repair of photosystems, light-harvesting complexes, CO(2) fixation as well as protection mechanisms against light, UV, and oxidative stress, which likely translate profound differences in their light-controlled regulation. Altogether our results suggest that while Synechococcus has developed efficient ways to cope with light and UV stress, Prochlorococcus cells seemingly survive stressful hours of the day by launching a minimal set of protection mechanisms and by temporarily bringing down several key metabolic processes. This study provides unprecedented insights into understanding the distinct depth distributions and dynamics of these two picocyanobacteria in the field

Light history influences the response of the marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. WH7803 to oxidative stress.

International audienceMarine Synechococcus undergo a wide range of environmental stressors, especially high and variable irradiance, which may induce oxidative stress through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). While light and ROS could act synergistically on the impairment of photosynthesis, inducing photodamage and inhibiting photosystem II repair, acclimation to high irradiance is also thought to confer resistance to other stressors. To identify the respective roles of light and ROS in the photoinhibition process and detect a possible light-driven tolerance to oxidative stress, we compared the photophysiological and transcriptomic responses of Synechococcus sp. WH7803 acclimated to low light (LL) or high light (HL) to oxidative stress, induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) or methylviologen. While photosynthetic activity was much more affected in HL than in LL cells, only HL cells were able to recover growth and photosynthesis after the addition of 25 μM H₂O₂. Depending upon light conditions and H₂O₂ concentration, the latter oxidizing agent induced photosystem II inactivation through both direct damage to the reaction centers and inhibition of its repair cycle. Although the global transcriptome response appeared similar in LL and HL cells, some processes were specifically induced in HL cells that seemingly helped them withstand oxidative stress, including enhancement of photoprotection and ROS detoxification, repair of ROS-driven damage, and regulation of redox state. Detection of putative LexA binding sites allowed the identification of the putative LexA regulon, which was down-regulated in HL compared with LL cells but up-regulated by oxidative stress under both growth irradiances

Effects of elevated pCO2 on the metabolism of a temperate rhodolith Lithothamnion corallioides grown under different temperatures

Coralline algae are considered among the most sensitive species to near future ocean acidification. We tested the effects of elevated pCO2 on the metabolism of the free‐living coralline alga Lithothamnion corallioides (“maerl”) and the interactions with changes in temperature. Specimens were collected in North Brittany (France) and grown for 3 months at pCO2 of 380 (ambient pCO2), 550, 750, and 1000 μatm (elevated pCO2) and at successive temperatures of 10°C (ambient temperature in winter), 16°C (ambient temperature in summer), and 19°C (ambient temperature in summer +3°C). At each temperature, gross primary production, respiration (oxygen flux), and calcification (alkalinity flux) rates were assessed in the light and dark. Pigments were determined by HPLC. Chl a, carotene, and zeaxanthin were the three major pigments found in L. corallioides thalli. Elevated pCO2 did not affect pigment content while temperature slightly decreased zeaxanthin and carotene content at 10°C. Gross production was not affected by temperature but was significantly affected by pCO2 with an increase between 380 and 550 μatm. Light, dark, and diel (24 h) calcification rates strongly decreased with increasing pCO2 regardless of the temperature. Although elevated pCO2 only slightly affected gross production in L. corallioides, diel net calcification was reduced by up to 80% under the 1,000 μatm treatment. Our findings suggested that near future levels of CO2 will have profound consequences for carbon and carbonate budgets in rhodolith beds and for the sustainability of these habitats. -- Keywords : Calcification ; Coralline algae ; Maerl ; Ocean acidification ; Photosynthesis ; Pigment

Atmospheric pressure plasma spraying of silane-based coatings targeting whey protein fouling and bacterial adhesion management

International audienc

Symbiont Chloroplasts Remain Active During Bleaching-Like Response Induced by Thermal Stress in Collozoum pelagicum (Collodaria, Retaria)

Collodaria (Retaria) are important contributors to planktonic communities and biogeochemical processes (e.g., the biologic pump) in oligotrophic oceans. Similarly to corals, Collodaria live in symbiosis with dinoflagellate algae, a relationship that is thought to explain partly their ecological success. In the context of global change, the robustness of the symbiotic interaction, and potential subsequent bleaching events are of primary interest for oceanic ecosystems functioning. In the present study, we compared the ultrastructure, morphology, symbiont density, photosynthetic capacities and respiration rates of colonial Collodaria exposed to a range of temperatures corresponding to natural conditions (21°C), moderate (25°C), and high (28°C) thermal stress. We showed that symbiont density immediately decreased when temperature rose to 25°C, while the overall Collodaria holobiont metabolic activity increased. When temperature reached 28°C, the holobiont respiration nearly stopped and the host morphological structure was largely damaged, as if the host tolerance threshold has been crossed. Over the course of the experiment, the photosynthetic capacities of remaining algal symbionts were stable, chloroplasts being the last degraded organelles in the microalgae. These results contribute to a better characterization and understanding of temperature-induced bleaching processes in planktonic photosymbioses

Biomimetic nanostructured surfaces for antifouling in dairy processing

In dairy pasteurization equipment, fouling is an ongoing problem. Indeed, when heated, milk and its derivatives generate mineral and proteinaceous deposits on stainless steel walls. This heat-induced fouling impairs the process through the addition of an increasing thermal resistance to the system. Deposits are also a threat to food safety as they provide micro-organisms with good settlement opportunities. As a consequence, fouling mitigating strategies are needed. Biomimetic surfaces in particular, inspired from the surface morphology of lotus leaf could be considered for their self-cleaning abilities. Its dual-scale roughness (i.e. a micro roughness supporpsed by nanoscale roughness) allows for the composite Cassie-Baxter wetting state due to air remaining trapped between the liquid and the solid surface. As a result, those surfaces possess very high contact angles (typically higher than 150o) and very low contact angle hysteresis (typically less than 10°). However, a major limitation of this type of surface is the difficulty to maintain a stable Cassie-Baxter state over time: depending on the experimental conditions (pressure, vibration, evaporation, surface defect) the liquid penetrates sooner or later into the structures degrading their anti-biofouling properties. To overcome this limitation, it has been proposed to impregnate the textured surface by a liquid of low surface tension (usually an inert oil not miscible with water). This led to SLIPS surfaces (Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous Surfaces). Even if these surfaces present low contact angle, their hysteresis is also almost null whatever the experimental conditions leading to antifouling properties [1].   This work aims at designing Cassie-Baxter and SLIPS surfaces and test them in dairy processing conditions to assess their antifouling properties. To this end, 316L stainless steel surfaces were texturized via femtosecond laser irradiation to generate dual-scale (cauliflower-like) structures [2]. Some of the fabricated surfaces underwent further modifications: (i) silanization with perfluorodecyltrichloro-silane or (ii) silanization followed by impregnation with a fluorinated oil to create Slippery Liquid Infused Porous Surfaces (SLIPS) [3]. All surfaces were tested for their fouling properties in a pilot pasteurization equipement (UMET-PIHM, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Villeneuve d'Ascq) [4] allowing to mimick industrial conditions of the pasteurization process. Thorough characterizations were performed on the surfaces before and after fouling, to (i) establish clearly their surface properties (wettability, surface energy, roughness) and (ii) to investigate the impact of the different surface properties on heat-induced dairy fouling compared to a native stainless steel as reference. A wide range of analytical tools such as Goniometry, cross-section Electron Probe Micro-Analysis X-ray mappings, and Scanning Electron Microscopy were implemented to this end. Outstanding results were obtained regarding antifouling properties of dual-scaled roughness surfaces in dairy processing conditions, with a reduction of fouling by more than 90% in weight. References [1] T.-S. Wong, S. H. Kang, S. K. Y. Tang, E. Smythe, B. D. Hatton, A. Grinthal, and J. Aizenberg, ?Bioinspired self-repairing slippery surfaces with pressure-stable omniphobicity,? Nature, vol. 477, pp. 443?447, 2011. [2] A.-M. Kietzig, S. G. Hatzikiriakos, and P. Englezos, ?Patterned Superhydrophobic Metallic Surfaces,? Langmuir, vol. 25, no. 8, pp. 4821?4827, 2009. [3] A. K. Epstein, T.-S. Wong, R. A. Belisle, E. M. Boggs, and J. Aizenberg, ?Liquid-infused structured surfaces with exceptional anti-biofouling performance,? PNAS, vol. 109, no. 33, pp. 13182?13187, 2012. [4] M. Jimenez, G. Delaplace, N. Nuns, S. Bellayer, D. Deresmes, G. Ronse, G. Alogaili, M. Collinet-Fressancourt, and M. Traisnel, ?Toward the understanding of the interfacial dairy fouling deposition and growth mechanisms at a stainless steel surface: A multiscale approach,? J. Colloid an interface Sci., vol. 404, pp. 192?200, 2013

Evolutionary mechanisms of long-term genome diversification associated with niche partitioning in marine picocyanobacteria

Marine picocyanobacteria of the genera Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus are the most abundant photosynthetic organisms on Earth, an ecological success thought to be linked to the differential partitioning of distinct ecotypes into specific ecological niches. However, the underlying processes that governed the diversification of these microorganisms and the appearance of niche-related phenotypic traits are just starting to be elucidated. Here, by comparing 81 genomes, including 34 new Synechococcus, we explored the evolutionary processes that shaped the genomic diversity of picocyanobacteria. Time-calibration of a core-protein tree showed that gene gain/loss occurred at an unexpectedly low rate between the different lineages, with for instance 5.6 genes gained per million years (My) for the major Synechococcus lineage (sub-cluster 5.1), among which only 0.71/My have been fixed in the long term. Gene content comparisons revealed a number of candidates involved in nutrient adaptation, a large proportion of which are located in genomic islands shared between either closely or more distantly related strains, as identified using an original network construction approach. Interestingly, strains representative of the different ecotypes co-occurring in phosphorus-depleted waters (Synechococcus clades III, WPC1, and sub-cluster 5.3) were shown to display different adaptation strategies to this limitation. In contrast, we found few genes potentially involved in adaptation to temperature when comparing cold and warm thermotypes. Indeed, comparison of core protein sequences highlighted variants specific to cold thermotypes, notably involved in carotenoid biosynthesis and the oxidative stress response, revealing that long-term adaptation to thermal niches relies on amino acid substitutions rather than on gene content variation. Altogether, this study not only deciphers the respective roles of gene gains/losses and sequence variation but also uncovers numerous gene candidates likely involved in niche partitioning of two key members of the marine phytoplankton