Evidence for gluconic acid production by Enterobacter intermedium as an efficient strategy to avoid protozoan grazing

Gomez, W; Buela, L; Castro, LuzT; Chaparro, V; Mercedes Ball, M; Andres Yarzabal, L

HERO ID

4942431

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2010

HERO ID 4942431
In Press No
Year 2010
Title Evidence for gluconic acid production by Enterobacter intermedium as an efficient strategy to avoid protozoan grazing
Authors Gomez, W; Buela, L; Castro, LuzT; Chaparro, V; Mercedes Ball, M; Andres Yarzabal, L
Journal Soil Biology and Biochemistry
Volume 42
Issue 5
Page Numbers 822-830
Abstract The effect of pure gluconic acid and of gluconic-acid-producing bacteria on the activity of three protozoan species, Colpoda steinii (a ciliate), Vahlkampfia sp. (an amoeba) and Neobodo designis (a flagellate), was determined in vitro and in soil microcosms. Pure gluconic acid was shown to mediate disappearance of active cells, due to encystment and/or death of protozoa, at 0.15 mM in saline medium. Similarly, the presence of gluconic acid inhibited excystment of the three protozoa tested. Enterobacter intermedium 60-2G (Wt), a gluconic acid-producing rhizobacterium, elicited the same effects on protozoa when co-cultured in the presence of 5 g L(-1) glucose. However, the effect was not observed when glucose was omitted from the medium. Similarly, a pqqA isogenic mutant strain, unable to produce gluconic acid from glucose, exhibited a reduced effect on protozoan activity. Rhizosphere-microcosm studies performed with wheat (Triticum aestivum L) confirmed the reduced ability of the pqqA mutant to limit protozoa reproduction compared to the Wt strain. Since the sodium salt of gluconic acid did not cause any significant stress to protozoa and considering that addition of 50 mM Tris-CI (pH 7.2) abolished the deleterious effect of gluconic acid, acidification of the medium appeared as the key factor that induced encystment/death of protozoa. We propose that production and excretion of gluconic acid should be considered an efficient mechanism evolved by bacteria to escape, tolerate or defend themselves against protozoan grazing in rhizosphere environments. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Doi 10.1016/j.soilbio.2010.01.019
Wosid WOS:000276753900016
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override 4942431
Is Public Yes
Keyword Gluconic acid; Grazing activity; Enterobacter intermedium; Protozoa; Biocontrol; Bacteria; Rhizosphere