Formation of indigoidine derived-pigments contributes to the adaptation of Vogesella sp. strain EB to cold aquatic iron-oxidizing environments

ARRUA DAY PAULA; VILLALBA MARÍA SOLEDAD; HERRERO O. MARISA; ARANCIBIA LUZ ALEJANDRA; ALVAREZ HÉCTOR MANUEL

ANTON LEEUW INT. J. G.

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2017 vol. 110 p. 415 - 428

0003-6072

We investigated previously underexplored cold aquatic environments of Andean Patagonia,Argentina. Oily sheens similar to an oil spill arefrequently observed at the surface of water in creeksand small ponds in these places. Chemical analysis ofa water sample revealed the occurrence of highconcentrations of iron and the presence of a freeinsoluble indigoidine-derived pigment. A blue pigment-producing bacterium (strain EB) was isolatedfrom the water sample and identified as Vogesella sp.by molecular analysis. The isolate was able to produceindigoidine and another derived-pigment (here called cryoindigoidine) with strong antifreeze properties.The production of the pigments depended on the cellgrowth at cold temperatures (below 15 C), as well ason the attachment of cells to solid surfaces, and ironlimitation in the media. The pigments produced bystrain EB showed an inhibitory effect on the growth ofdiverse microorganisms such as Candida albicans,Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition,pigmented cells were more tolerant to freezingthan non-pigmented cells, suggesting a role of cryoindigoidine/indigoidine as a cold-protectant molecule.The possible roles of the pigments in strain EBphysiology and its interactions with the iron-richenvironment from which the isolate was obtained arediscussed. Results of this study suggested an activerole of strain EB in the investigated iron-oxidizing ecosystem.