Algal Betaine Triggers Bacterial Hydrogen Peroxide Production that Promotes Algal Demise.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 42156773.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-026-73408-2.
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Abstract
Hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) plays various roles in the ocean, acting as a signaling molecule at low concentrations and causing oxidative stress when accumulated. Here, we use transcriptomics, genetics, and metabolomics to study H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> dynamics in the interaction between Emiliania huxleyi algae and Phaeobacter inhibens bacteria. We find that H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> levels rise during algal death and that bacterial H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> production triggers this demise. In co-cultures, but not in axenic algal cultures, chemically reducing H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> levels prevents algal death, whereas chemically increasing H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> levels accelerates algal death. We also uncover a link between H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and betaine metabolism: aging algae release betaine, which promotes bacterial H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> production that contributes to algal death. In environmental samples, bacterial genes involved in H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and betaine metabolism are highly expressed towards the demise of a natural algal bloom. Together, our findings identify H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and betaine as key molecules that modulate algal-bacterial interactions.