Metagenomic Analysis of the Whole Gut Microbiota in Brazilian Termitidae Termites Cornitermes cumulans, Cyrilliotermes strictinasus, Syntermes dirus, Nasutitermes jaraguae, Nasutitermes aquilinus, Grigiotermes bequaerti, and Orthognathotermes mirim

Grieco, Maria Angela B.; Lopes, Fabyano Álvares Cardoso; Oliveira, Louisi Souza de; Tschoeke, Diogo A.; Popov, Claudia; Thompson, Cristiane C.; Gonçalves, Luna C; Constantino, Reginaldo; Martins, Orlando B.; Krüger, Ricardo Henrique; Souza, Wanderley de; Thompson, Fabiano L.

doi:10.1007/s00284-019-01662-3

Cited by 17 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 69 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…To identify the closest relatives of termite gut Bathyarchaeia and their respective habitats, we analyzed their phylogenetic position in the framework of rRNA genes available in public databases, which provides a much better coverage than the small number of MAGs of the Bathy-6 subgroup available to date (Figure 2). The 16S rRNA gene sequences encoded by the MAGs form a well-supported monophyletic group with all other sequences of Bathyarchaeia that were previously obtained from the hindguts of higher termites (Friedrich et al ., 2001; Shi et al ., 2015; Grieco et al ., 2019). Although each ribotype appears to be specific for a particular host species, the internal topology of the termite clade is not well resolved due to the large number of short sequences and the absence of 16S rRNA genes from many MAGs.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metabolic potential for reductive acetogenesis and a novel energy-converting [NiFe] hydrogenase in Bathyarchaeia from termite guts – a genome-centric analysis

Loh

Hervé

Brune

2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Symbiotic digestion of lignocellulose in the hindgut of higher termites is mediated by a diverse assemblage of bacteria and archaea. During a large-scale metagenomic study, we reconstructed 15 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of Bathyarchaeia that represent two distinct lineages in subgroup 6 (formerly MCG-6) unique to termite guts. One lineage (TB2; Candidatus Termitimicrobium) encodes all enzymes required for reductive acetogenesis from H2 and CO2 via an archaeal variant of the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway. This includes a novel 11-subunit hydrogenase, which possesses the genomic architecture of the respiratory Fpo-complex of other archaea but whose catalytic subunit is phylogenetically related to and shares the conserved [NiFe] cofactor-binding motif with [NiFe] hydrogenases of subgroup 4g. We propose that this novel Fpo-like hydrogenase provides the reduced ferredoxin required for CO2 reduction and is driven by the electrochemical membrane potential generated from the ATP conserved by substrate-level phosphorylation. Members of the other lineage (TB1; Candidatus Termiticorpusculum) are not capable of lithotrophic acetogenesis because they consistently lack hydrogenases and/or methylene-tetrahydromethanopterin reductase, a key enzyme of the pathway. Both lineages have the genomic capacity to reduce ferredoxin by oxidizing amino acids and might conduct methylotrophic acetogenesis using unidentified methylated compound(s). Our results indicate that Bathyarchaeia of subgroup 6 contribute to acetate formation in the guts of higher termites and substantiate the genomic evidence for reductive acetogenesis from organic substrates, including methylated compounds, in other uncultured representatives of the phylum.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metabolic potential for reductive acetogenesis and a novel energy-converting [NiFe] hydrogenase in Bathyarchaeia from termite guts – a genome-centric analysis

Loh

Hervé

Brune

2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Brazil houses around 300 species of termites belonging to the families Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Serritermitidae, and Termitidae [115]. Termites contribute to structure and composition of soils by efficiently degrading biomass with the aid of resi-dent gut microbiota, so most of the research in Brazil has focused on the enzymatic potential of termite-associated microbiota [116]. Termite microbiota might also have a contribution in defensive symbiosis by the production of secondary metabolites.…”

Section: Microbial Symbiosis In Termitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical Ecology in Insect-microbe Interactions in the Neotropics

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Small molecules frequently mediate symbiotic interactions between microorganisms and their hosts. Brazil harbors the highest diversity of insects in the world; however, just recently, efforts have been directed to deciphering the chemical signals involved in the symbioses of microorganisms and social insects. The current scenario of natural products research guided by chemical ecology is discussed in this review. Two groups of social insects have been prioritized in the studies, fungus-farming ants and stingless bees, leading to the identification of natural products involved in defensive and nutritional symbioses. Some of the compounds also present potential pharmaceutical applications as antimicrobials, and this is likely related to their ecological roles. Microbial symbioses in termites and wasps are suggested promising sources of biologically active small molecules. Aspects related to public policies for insect biodiversity preservation are also highlighted.

show abstract

“…But recently, a phylotype related to the ciliate Clevelandella was detected in the gut of termitids of the genus Gnathamitermes (Rahman et al ., 2015), and protists from the phylum Apicomplexa and the order Euglenida were present in the gut microbiota of other Termitidae species, including C . cumulans (Grieco et al ., 2019). These results suggest that protists could be present as endosymbionts in Termitidae species, having been either reacquired after protist loss in higher termites or persisted in low numbers throughout this transition (Rahman et al ., 2015).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expression profiles of neotropical termites reveal microbiota‐associated, caste‐biased genes and biotechnological targets

Campanini

Pedrino

Martins

et al. 2020

Insect Molecular Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Termites are well recognized by their complex development trajectories, involving dynamic differentiation process between non‐reproductive castes, workers and soldiers. These insects are associated with endosymbiotic microorganisms, which help in lignocellulose digestion and nitrogen metabolism. Aiming to identify genes harbouring biotechnological potential, we analyzed workers and soldiers RNA‐Seq data of three neotropical termites: Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), Velocitermes heteropterus (Isoptera: Termitidae) and Cornitermes cumulans (Isoptera: Termitidae). We observed differences in the microbiota associated with each termite family, and found protists' genes in both Termitidae species. We found an opposite pattern of caste‐biased gene expression between H. tenuis and the termitids studied. Moreover, the two termitids are considerably different concerning the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional annotation indicated considerable differences in caste‐biased gene content between V. heteropterus and C. cumulans, even though they share similar diet and biological niche. Among the most DEGs, we highlighted those involved in caste differentiation and cellulose digestion, which are attractive targets for studying more efficient technologies for termite control, biomass digestion and other biotechnological applications.

show abstract

Metagenomic Analysis of the Whole Gut Microbiota in Brazilian Termitidae Termites Cornitermes cumulans, Cyrilliotermes strictinasus, Syntermes dirus, Nasutitermes jaraguae, Nasutitermes aquilinus, Grigiotermes bequaerti, and Orthognathotermes mirim

Cited by 17 publications

References 69 publications

Metabolic potential for reductive acetogenesis and a novel energy-converting [NiFe] hydrogenase in Bathyarchaeia from termite guts – a genome-centric analysis

Metabolic potential for reductive acetogenesis and a novel energy-converting [NiFe] hydrogenase in Bathyarchaeia from termite guts – a genome-centric analysis

Chemical Ecology in Insect-microbe Interactions in the Neotropics

Expression profiles of neotropical termites reveal microbiota‐associated, caste‐biased genes and biotechnological targets

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About