Identification of Pelomyxa palustris Endosymbionts
Language English Country Germany Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article
PubMed
28755578
DOI
10.1016/j.protis.2017.06.001
PII: S1434-4610(17)30053-6
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- Keywords
- FISH, Methane, SSU rRNA, amoeba., autofluorescence, endosymbiosis,
- MeSH
- Archamoebae microbiology physiology MeSH
- RNA, Archaeal genetics MeSH
- RNA, Bacterial genetics MeSH
- Deltaproteobacteria classification genetics isolation & purification physiology MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Methanosarcinales classification genetics isolation & purification physiology MeSH
- Rhodococcus classification genetics isolation & purification physiology MeSH
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S genetics MeSH
- Sequence Analysis, RNA MeSH
- Symbiosis * MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Names of Substances
- RNA, Archaeal MeSH
- RNA, Bacterial MeSH
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S MeSH
Pelomyxa palustris is a giant anaerobic/microaerobic amoeba, characterized by a number of exceptional cytological and physiological features, among them the presumed absence of energy producing organelles and the presence of endosymbiotic bacteria. These endosymbionts have been previously distinguished as: a large rectangular-shaped Gram-variable rod with a central cleft; a slender Gram-negative rod; and a slender Gram-positive rod. Using DNA extracted from P. palustris cysts, we have obtained three SSU rRNA gene sequences. We have determined that these sequences are affiliated to three different prokaryotic genera: Methanosaeta (a methanogenic archaea), Syntrophorhabdus (a syntrophic Gram-negative bacteria) and Rhodococcus (an aerobic chemoorganotrophic Gram-positive bacteria). To our knowledge, it is the first time that Syntrophorhabdus has been described as an endosymbiont in association with a methanogen. Strikingly, no traces of Methanobacterium formicicum could be detected, despite this methanogen had allegedly been isolated from trophozoites of P. palustris. It seems that the host and the endosymbionts have established a multipartite syntrophic consortium resembling to some extent those found in sewage treatment plants.
Department of Genetics University of Seville Spain
Department of Microbiology University of Seville Spain
Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences St Petersburg Russia
References provided by Crossref.org
Editorial: Symbioses Between Protists and Bacteria/Archaea
