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Reductive evolution and unique predatory mode in the CPR bacterium Vampirococcus lugosii.
David Moreira1, Yvan Zivanovic2, Ana I López-Archilla3
1Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France. david.moreira@u-psud.fr.
Nature Communications
|April 29, 2021
Summary
Vampirococcus lugosii, a newly described parasitic bacterium from the Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR), fully consumes other bacteria. This discovery suggests parasitism is common among CPR bacteria, impacting microbial populations.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Bacterial Ecology
Background:
- Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR) bacteria are mostly uncultured microbes with small cells and limited biosynthetic pathways.
- CPR bacteria are presumed symbionts, but their interactions are known only for Saccharibacteria, which are epibiotic parasites.
- Vampirococcus is a genus of epibiotic bacteria identified decades ago but lacking described species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the biology and genome of Vampirococcus lugosii, the first species described in the Vampirococcus genus.
- To investigate the lifestyle and evolutionary adaptations of Vampirococcus within the CPR phylum Absconditabacteria.
Main Methods:
- Genomic sequencing and analysis of Vampirococcus lugosii.
- Phylogenetic analysis to place Vampirococcus within the Absconditabacteria phylum.
- Comparative genomics to identify genes related to metabolism and host interaction.
Main Results:
- Vampirococcus lugosii is an epibiotic parasite that consumes gammaproteobacteria, absorbing their cytoplasm.
- The genome of V. lugosii is small (1.3 Mbp) and reduced in metabolic genes but enriched in cell surface interaction genes.
- V. lugosii forms multicellular stalks for host dissemination, and its evolution shows continuous gene loss compensated by horizontal gene transfer.
Conclusions:
- Parasitism is likely a widespread lifestyle among CPR bacteria.
- CPR bacteria, like Vampirococcus, may play a significant role in regulating bacterial populations in various ecosystems.
- The study expands our understanding of CPR bacterial diversity and ecological roles.
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