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Biochemical prey recognition by planktonic protozoa.

Emma C Wootton¹, Mikhail V Zubkov, D Hugh Jones

¹School of Environment and Society, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK.

Environmental Microbiology

|January 18, 2007

Summary

Marine dinoflagellates use a specific mannose-binding lectin to recognize and ingest prey. This discovery reveals key molecular mechanisms in protozoan prey selection and has implications for understanding aquatic food webs.

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Assaying Predatory Feeding Behaviors in Pristionchus and Other Nematodes

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Published on: September 4, 2016

Area of Science:

Marine biology
Microbiology
Biochemistry

Background:

Planktonic flagellates and ciliates are crucial consumers in aquatic ecosystems, influencing carbon cycling and nutrient regeneration.
While some unicellular predators use chemosensory cues, the biochemical basis of prey recognition remains largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of prey recognition and selection in the marine dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina.

Main Methods:

Identification of a Ca(2+)-dependent, mannose-binding lectin on O. marina.
Inhibition of prey ingestion using mannose-BSA to block the lectin.
Prey selection experiments using differently coated beads (mannose-BSA vs. galNac-BSA).

Main Results:

Blocking the mannose-binding lectin with mannose-BSA significantly inhibited phytoplankton prey ingestion by 60%.
O. marina preferentially ingested mannose-BSA coated beads over galNac-BSA coated beads.
Pre-incubation with mannose-BSA abolished O. marina's ability to discriminate between different sugar-coated beads.

Conclusions:

A Ca(2+)-dependent, mannose-binding lectin serves as a feeding receptor in O. marina for prey recognition.
These findings reveal specific molecular mechanisms underlying protozoan prey recognition.
The study highlights functional similarities between prey recognition in planktonic protozoa and host defense mechanisms in metazoan phagocytic cells.