Indole-3-acetic acid as a cross-talking molecule in algal-bacterial interactions and a potential driving force in algal bloom formation

Xueyu Cheng; Xinyang Li; Mengmeng Tong; Jiajun Wu; Leo Lai Chan; Zhonghua Cai; Jin Zhou

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2023.1236925

Indole-3-acetic acid as a cross-talking molecule in algal-bacterial interactions and a potential driving force in algal bloom formation

Front Microbiol. 2023 Oct 20:14:1236925. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1236925. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Xueyu Cheng¹, Xinyang Li¹, Mengmeng Tong², Jiajun Wu³, Leo Lai Chan³, Zhonghua Cai¹, Jin Zhou¹

Affiliations

¹ Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Institute for Ocean Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China.
² The Direction of Deep Sea Resource Exploration and Development Utilization, Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Sanya, China.
³ State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.

Abstract

Most signaling molecules are involved in inter-or intra-species communication, and signaling involving cross-kingdom cell-to-cell communication is limited. Howerver, algae and bacteria exchange nutrients and information in a range of interactions in marine environments. Multiple signaling molecules exist between algae and bacteria, including quorum-sensing molecules, nitric oxide, and volatile organic compounds. Recently, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), an auxin hormone that is a well-studied signaling molecule in terrestrial ecosystems, was found to act as a cue in cross-kingdom communication between algae and bacteria in aquatic environments. To increase understanding of the roles of IAA in the phycosphere, the latest evidence regarding the ecological functions of IAA in cross-kingdom communication between algae and bacteria has been compiled in this review. The pathways of IAA biosynthesis, effects of IAA on algal growth & reproduction, and potential mechanisms at phenotypic and molecular levels are summarized. It is proposed that IAA is an important molecule regulating algal-bacterial interactions and acts as an invisible driving force in the formation of algal blooms.

Keywords: algal bloom; algal-bacterial interaction; cross-kingdom communication; indole-3-acetic acid; signaling; signaling molecule.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41976126), Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2020B1515120012), Hainan Key Research and Development Program (ZDYF2021SHFZ059), Shenzhen Science and Technology Program (Grant No. RCJC20200714114433069), S&T Projects of Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Committee (JCYJ20200109142818589, JCYJ20200109142822787), the Project of Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources (Grant No. [2021]735-927), as well as the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao Joint S&T Project (SGDX20220530111204028).