Diversity and biotechnological potential of the sponge-associated microbial consortia

Abstract

Sponges are well known to harbor diverse microbes and represent a significant source of bioactive natural compounds derived from the marine environment. Recent studies of the microbial communities of marine sponges have uncovered previously undescribed species and an array of new chemical compounds. In contrast to natural compounds, studies on enzymes with biotechnological potential from microbes associated with sponges are rare although enzymes with novel activities that have potential medical and biotechnological applications have been identified from sponges and microbes associated with sponges. Both bacteria and fungi have been isolated from a wide range of marine sponge, but the diversity and symbiotic relationship of bacteria has been studied to a greater extent than that of fungi isolated from sponges. Molecular methods (e.g., rDNA, DGGE, and FISH) have revealed a great diversity of the unculturable bacteria and archaea. Metagenomic approaches have identified interesting metabolic pathways responsible for the production of natural compounds and may provide a new avenue to explore the microbial diversity and biotechnological potential of marine sponges. In addition, other eukaryotic organisms such as diatoms and unicellular algae from marine sponges are also being described using these molecular techniques. Many natural compounds derived from sponges are suspected to be of bacterial origin, but only a few studies have provided convincing evidence for symbiotic producers in sponges. Microbes in sponges exist in different associations with sponges including the true symbiosis. Fungi derived from marine sponges represent the single most prolific source of diverse bioactive marine fungal compounds found to date. There is a developing interest in determining the true diversity of fungi present in marine sponges and the nature of the association. Molecular methods will allow scientists to more accurately identify fungal species and determine actual diversity of sponge-associated fungi. This is especially important as greater cooperation between bacteriologists, mycologists, natural product chemists, and bioengineers is needed to provide a well-coordinated effort in studying the diversity, ecology, physiology, and association between bacteria, fungi, and other organisms present in marine sponges.

Marine Bioactive Compounds

“…Bunun yanında çok sayıda farklı mikroorganizma için iyi bir konakçıdır (Ireland vd. 1993;Wang 2006).…”

Sponge-associated bacteria of Lakshadweep coral reefs, India: resource for extracellular hydrolytic enzymes

“…Sponges are considered as microbial fermenters that provide exciting new avenues in marine microbiology and biotechnology [6]. Although, the potentialities of hydrolytic enzymes from marine bacteria have been recognized, studies on enzymes from bacteria associated within the microhabitats of sponge for biotechnological application are rare [7]. We hypothesize that sponge associated bacteria are excellent source of not only enzymes but also multiple extracellular hydrolytic enzymes than seawater bacteria due their characteristic nutrient rich microhabitat provided by the host organism.…”

Analytical characterization and structure elucidation of metabolites from Aspergillus ochraceus MP2 fungi

“…The Contents lists available at ScienceDirect which live in the canals, between cells, and even inside the cell [11] . A variety of antimicrobial substances have been isolated from various species of marine sponges [12] . Up to 800 antibiotic compounds have been isolated from marine sponges, a number of which corroborates assumptions that sponges appear to defend themselves against infections by producing and/or accumulating secondary metabolites.…”

“…These natural products have interesting biomedical potential, pharmaceutical relevance and diverse biotechnological applications [18] . The biomedical and pharmaceutical importances of these compounds are attributed to their antiviral, antitumor, antimicrobial and general cytotoxic properties [12] . Interestingly, out of the 13 marine natural products that are currently under clinical trials as new drug candidates, 12 are derived from invertebrates.…”

“…The biomedical and pharmaceutical importances of these compounds are attributed to their antiviral, antitumor, antimicrobial and general cytotoxic properties [12] . Interestingly, out of the 13 marine natural products that are currently under clinical trials as new drug candidates, 12 are derived from invertebrates. Among them, Porifera remains the most important phylum, as it provides a greater number of natural products, especially novel pharmacologically active compounds [19] .…”