Metatranscriptome analysis reveals host-microbiome interactions in traps of carnivorous Genlisea species

Investor logo

Warning

This publication doesn't include Faculty of Arts. It includes Central European Institute of Technology. Official publication website can be found on muni.cz.
Authors

CAO Hieu X. SCHMUTZER Thomas SCHOLZ Uwe PEČINKA Aleš SCHUBERT Ingo VU Giang T. H.

Year of publication 2015
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source Frontiers in Microbiology
MU Faculty or unit

Central European Institute of Technology

Citation
Web http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmicb.2015.00526/abstract
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2015.00526
Field Microbiology, virology
Keywords Genlisea; plant carnivory; lobster pot trapping; metatranscriptomics; RNA-sequencing; whole-genome gene transcription analysis; algae commensalism; plant-microbe interaction
Attached files
Description In the carnivorous plant genus Genlisea a unique lobster pot trapping mechanism supplements nutrition in nutrient-poor habitats. A wide spectrum of microbes frequently occurs in Genlisea's leaf-derived traps without clear relevance for Genlisea carnivory. We sequenced the metatranscriptomes of subterrestrial traps vs. the aerial chlorophyll-containing leaves of G. nigrocaulis and of G. hispidula. Ribosomal RNA assignment revealed soil-borne microbial diversity in Genlisea traps, with 92 genera of 19 phyla present in more than one sample. Microbes from 16 of these phyla including proteobacteria, green algae, amoebozoa, fungi, ciliates and metazoans, contributed additionally short-lived mRNA to the metatranscriptome. Furthermore, transcripts of 438 members of hydrolases (e.g., proteases, phosphatases, lipases), mainly resembling those of metazoans, ciliates and green algae, were found. Compared to aerial leaves, Genlisea traps displayed a transcriptional up-regulation of endogenous NADH oxidases generating reactive oxygen species as well as of acid phosphatases for prey digestion. A leaf-vs.-trap transcriptome comparison reflects that carnivory provides inorganic P- and different forms of N-compounds (ammonium, nitrate, amino acid, oligopeptides) and implies the need to protect trap cells against oxidative stress. The analysis elucidates a complex food web inside the Genlisea traps, and suggests ecological relationships between this plant genus and its entrapped microbiome.
Related projects:

You are running an old browser version. We recommend updating your browser to its latest version.