Microbiome composition and function within the Kellet's whelk perivitelline fluid.

Area of Science:

• Marine biology and microbial ecology.
• Invertebrate developmental biology.
• Host-microbe interactions.

Background:

• Microbiomes play crucial roles in host health and development.
• The perivitelline fluid (PVF) of invertebrates is a unique environment for microbial communities.
• Kellet's whelk (Kelletia kelletii) embryos develop within PVF, requiring a supportive microenvironment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the microbiome diversity and function within the perivitelline fluid of Kellet's whelk.
• To explore potential symbiotic relationships and functional roles of the PVF microbiome in embryo development.
• To identify novel microbial functions, such as antibiotic biosynthesis, within this encapsulated system.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 16S rRNA gene long-read sequencing for microbiome profiling.
• Employed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to analyze gene expression within the PVF microbiome.
• Combined these methods to provide a comprehensive analysis of the invertebrate PVF microbiome.

Main Results:

• Revealed a diverse bacterial community in Kellet's whelk PVF, with the Roseobacter genus being dominant.
• Detected genes associated with host-microbe interactions, symbiosis, and quorum sensing.
• Identified gene expression related to antibiotic biosynthesis, indicating potential defensive functions.

Conclusions:

• The Kellet's whelk PVF harbors a symbiotic microbiome that likely supports embryo development.
• The microbiome may provide protective functions through antibiotic production.
• This study pioneers the use of combined 16S and RNA sequencing to study invertebrate PVF microbiomes.