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Bacterial quorum sensing signal arrests phytoplankton cell division and protects against virus-induced mortality

Scott B. Pollara, Jamie W. Becker, Brook L. Nunn, Rene Boiteau, Daniel Repeta, Miranda C. Mudge, Grayton Downing, Davis Chase, Elizabeth L. Harvey, Kristen E. Whalen
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.14.202937
Scott B. Pollara
aDepartment of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, PA
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Jamie W. Becker
aDepartment of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, PA
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Brook L. Nunn
bDepartment of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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Rene Boiteau
cCollege of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
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Daniel Repeta
dMarine Chemistry & Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA
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Miranda C. Mudge
bDepartment of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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Grayton Downing
aDepartment of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, PA
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Davis Chase
aDepartment of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, PA
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Elizabeth L. Harvey
eDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
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  • For correspondence: kwhalen1@haverford.edu elizabeth.harvey@unh.edu
Kristen E. Whalen
aDepartment of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, PA
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  • For correspondence: kwhalen1@haverford.edu elizabeth.harvey@unh.edu
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ABSTRACT

Interactions between phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria fundamentally shape marine ecosystems. These interactions are driven by the exchange of compounds, however, linking these chemical signals, their mechanisms of action, and resultant ecological consequences remains a fundamental challenge. The bacterial signal 2-heptyl-4-quinolone (HHQ), induces immediate cellular stasis in the coccolithophore, Emiliania huxleyi, however, the mechanism responsible remains unknown. Here, we show that HHQ exposure leads to the accumulation of DNA damage in phytoplankton and prevents its repair. While this effect is reversible, HHQ-exposed phytoplankton are also protected from viral mortality, ascribing a new role of quorum sensing signals in regulating multi-trophic interactions. Further results demonstrate global HHQ production potential and the first in situ measurements of HHQ which coincide with areas of enhanced micro- and nanoplankton biomass. Our results support bacterial communication signals as emerging players, providing a new mechanistic framework for how compounds may contribute to structure complex marine microbial communities.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Copyright 
The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission.
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Posted July 15, 2020.
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Bacterial quorum sensing signal arrests phytoplankton cell division and protects against virus-induced mortality
Scott B. Pollara, Jamie W. Becker, Brook L. Nunn, Rene Boiteau, Daniel Repeta, Miranda C. Mudge, Grayton Downing, Davis Chase, Elizabeth L. Harvey, Kristen E. Whalen
bioRxiv 2020.07.14.202937; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.14.202937
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Bacterial quorum sensing signal arrests phytoplankton cell division and protects against virus-induced mortality
Scott B. Pollara, Jamie W. Becker, Brook L. Nunn, Rene Boiteau, Daniel Repeta, Miranda C. Mudge, Grayton Downing, Davis Chase, Elizabeth L. Harvey, Kristen E. Whalen
bioRxiv 2020.07.14.202937; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.14.202937

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