Sponge-derived Ageladine A affects the in vivo fluorescence emission spectra of microalgae

• Published in: PloS one 2020-11, Vol.15 (11), p.e0242464-e0242464
• Main Authors: Peter, Carolin, Thoms, Silke, Koch, Florian, Sartoris, Franz Josef, Bickmeyer, Ulf
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agelas - chemistry; Algae; Animals; Aquatic microorganisms; Biological research; Biology and Life Sciences; Bioluminescence; Chemical compounds; Chemistry; Chlorophyll; Chlorophyll A - chemistry; Ecological function; Ecology and Environmental Sciences; Emission spectra; Emissions; Eukaryotes; Fluorescence; Fluorescent chemicals; Fluorophores; Marine algae; Micrasterias - drug effects; Micrasterias - metabolism; Microalgae; Microalgae - drug effects; Microalgae - metabolism; Microorganisms; Natural products; Optical properties; pH effects; Photosynthesis; Photosynthesis - drug effects; Photosynthesis - radiation effects; Phycobilisomes - chemistry; Phycobilisomes - drug effects; Phycoerythrin - chemistry; Physical Sciences; Physiological aspects; Pigments; Pigments, Biological - chemistry; Pyrroles - isolation & purification; Pyrroles - pharmacology; Species Specificity; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Sponges (Animals); Symbionts; Symbiosis; Synechococcus; Synechococcus - drug effects; Synechococcus - metabolism; Ultraviolet Rays
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242464

In several marine hosts of microalgae, fluorescent natural products may play an important role. While the ecological function of these compounds is not well understood, an interaction of these molecules with the photosynthesis of the symbionts has been suggested. In this study, the effect of Ageladine A (Ag A), a pH-dependent fluorophore found in sponges of the genus Agelas, on microalgal fluorescence was examined. The spectra showed an accumulation of Ag A within the cells, but with variable impacts on fluorescence. While in two Synechococcus strains, fluorescence of phycoerythrin increased significantly, the fluorescence of other Synechococcus strains was not affected. In four out of the five eukaryote species examined, chlorophyll a (Chl a) fluorescence intensity was modulated. In Tisochrysis lutea, for example, the position of the fluorescence emission maximum of Chl a was shifted. The variety of these effects of Ag A on microalgal fluorescence suggests that fluorophores derived from animals could play a crucial role in shaping the composition of marine host/symbiont systems.