Algicidal bacteria-derived membrane vesicles as shuttles mediating cross-kingdom interactions between bacteria and algae

Bacterial membrane vesicles (BMVs) are crucial biological vehicles for facilitating interspecies and interkingdom interactions. However, the extent and mechanisms of BMV involvement in bacterial-algal communication remain elusive. This study provides evidence of BMVs delivering cargos to targeted microalgae. Membrane vesicles (MVs) from Chitinimonas prasina LY03 demonstrated an algicidal profile similar to strain LY03. Further investigation revealed Tambjamine LY2, an effective algicidal compound, selectively packaged into LY03-MVs. Microscopic imaging demonstrated efficient delivery of Tambjamine LY2 to microalgae Heterosigma akashiwo and Thalassiosira pseudonana through membrane fusion. In addition, the study demonstrated the versatile cargo delivery capabilities of BMVs to algae, including the transfer of MV-carried nucleic acids into algal cells and the revival of growth in iron-depleted microalgae by MVs. Collectively, our findings reveal a previously unknown mechanism by which algicidal bacteria store hydrophobic algicidal compounds in MVs to trigger target microalgae death and highlight BMV potency in understanding and engineering bacterial-algae cross-talk.