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Genome evolution following an ecological shift in nectar-dwelling Acinetobacter
Vivianna A Sanchez1, Tanya Renner2, Lydia J Baker1
1Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Msphere
|December 26, 2024
Summary
The bacterial genus Acinetobacter evolved from soil to floral nectar by losing some genes and gaining others, notably pectin degradation genes. This adaptation allows them to thrive in the nutrient-poor nectar environment.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- The bacterial genus Acinetobacter exhibits remarkable habitat flexibility, inhabiting diverse environments from soil to host-associated niches.
- Understanding the genetic underpinnings of habitat switches in bacteria is crucial for comprehending their evolutionary trajectories.
- Floral nectar represents a specialized, nutritionally unbalanced habitat that has been successfully colonized by certain Acinetobacter lineages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genomic adaptations enabling Acinetobacter to transition from soil-dwelling to floral nectar-dwelling lifestyles.
- To compare the genomes of nectar-associated Acinetobacter with their environmental relatives to identify key genetic changes.
- To elucidate the specific genes and metabolic pathways involved in floral nectar adaptation.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomics analyses of nectar-dwelling and non-nectar-dwelling Acinetobacter species.
- Genome size reduction and gene content analysis.
- Identification of gene gains and losses, including horizontal gene transfer events.
- Analysis of gene duplication and selection pressures on acquired genes.
Main Results:
- Nectar-dwelling Acinetobacter lineages show genome size reduction compared to their relatives.
- Significant gene gains and losses were observed, indicating dynamic genome evolution.
- Acquisition of pectin-degrading genes from plant pathogens was a notable event, with evidence of duplication and selection.
- Metabolic shifts suggest adaptation to monosaccharide utilization and nitrogen scavenging in nectar.
Conclusions:
- The transition of Acinetobacter to floral nectar is associated with both gene loss and strategic gene gain.
- The acquisition and duplication of pectin-degrading genes represent a key adaptation for nutrient acquisition in floral nectar.
- These genomic changes facilitate the exploitation of a novel, nutrient-limited ecological niche.
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