The microbiologists at NIOZ recently discovered a new aspect of parasitic archaea, known as DPANN archaea, that not only feed off their hosts but also influence their host’s metabolism. These archaea, which make up approximately half of all known archaea, rely on other microbes for their survival by taking lipids from them to build their own cell membranes. In a study published in Nature Communications, the researchers found that these parasitic archaea are selective in the types of lipids they consume, leading to changes in their host’s lipid composition and metabolism.
Through their analysis of lipids in hosts with and without parasites, the researchers found that the presence of parasites causes a response in the hosts. The hosts alter their membrane composition, including the types and quantities of lipids used, as well as modifying the lipids to change their behavior. This results in an increased metabolism and a more flexible membrane that is more resistant to the parasites. These changes could impact how hosts respond to environmental changes, such as temperature or acidity.
The breakthrough in this study was the development of a new analytical technique by Su Ding at NIOZ, which allowed for the simultaneous analysis of all lipids present, including those not previously known. This technique enabled the researchers to observe changes in lipid composition that would not have been detected using traditional methods. The discovery of this new insight has significant implications for microbial ecology, as it shows how parasitic microbes can influence the metabolism of other microbes, potentially impacting the stability of microbial communities in changing environments.
Archaea are single-celled organisms that were traditionally believed to be a type of bacteria. However, they are now classified as a separate domain in the tree of life, distinct from both bacteria and eukaryotes. Unlike bacteria, archaea do not have a nucleus or other organelles within their cells. This distinction has important implications for understanding microbial diversity and the interactions between different microbial groups, such as archaea, bacteria, and higher organisms like animals and plants.
The discovery of selective feeding behavior in parasitic archaea sheds new light on the interactions between different microbial species and provides valuable insights into the fundamental principles of microbial ecology. By demonstrating how parasitic microbes can influence the metabolism of their hosts, the research opens up new avenues for studying the dynamics of microbial communities and their responses to environmental changes. Further research is needed to fully understand the extent of these impacts and their implications for the stability and resilience of microbial ecosystems.