Journal Article

Microorganisms living on macroalgae: diversity, interactions, and biotechnological applications

Portetelle, Daniel, Michel, Gurvan, Vandenbol, Micheline, Martin, Marjolaine

2014

Overview

Marine microorganisms play key roles in every marine ecological process, hence the growing interest in studying their populations and functions. Microbial communities on algae remain underexplored, however, despite their huge biodiversity and the fact that they differ markedly from those living freely in seawater. The study of this microbiota and of its relationships with algal hosts should provide crucial information for ecological investigations on algae and aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, because these microorganisms interact with algae in multiple, complex ways, they constitute an interesting source of novel bioactive compounds with biotechnological potential, such as dehalogenases, antimicrobials, and alga-specific polysaccharidases (e.g., agarases, carrageenases, and alginate lyases). Here, to demonstrate the huge potential of alga-associated organisms and their metabolites in developing future biotechnological applications, we first describe the immense diversity and density of these microbial biofilms. We further describe their complex interactions with algae, leading to the production of specific bioactive compounds and hydrolytic enzymes of biotechnological interest. We end with a glance at their potential use in medical and industrial applications.

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag,Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer,Springer Nature B.V,Springer Verlag
• Subject: Algae / Algal polysaccharidases / Algal symbiosis / Analysis / anti-infective agents / Antimicrobial agents / Antimicrobial compounds / Aquatic ecosystems / Bacteria / Bacteria - classification / Bacteria - isolation & purification / Bacteria - metabolism / Bioactive compounds / Biodiversity / biofilm / Biofilms / Biological Products / Biological Products - metabolism / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biotechnology / Biotechnology - methods / Cell interaction / classification / Cyanobacteria / Defense mechanisms / ecosystems / Enzymes / Glycoside hydrolases / Gram-negative bacteria / Gram-positive bacteria / hosts / industrial applications / isolation & purification / Life Sciences / lyases / macroalgae / Marine biology / Marine microorganisms / metabolism / Metabolites / methods / Microbial activity / Microbial biofilms / Microbial colonies / microbial communities / Microbial Genetics and Genomics / Microbiological research / Microbiologie / Microbiology / Microorganisms / Mini-Review / Physiological aspects / physiology / Sciences du vivant / Seawater / Seaweed / Seaweed - microbiology / Seaweed - physiology / Studies / Symbiosis