Nature's original bioplastic may have fed animals for hundreds of millions of years
Long before humans discovered biodegradable plastics, microorganisms had already invented their own. Many bacteria and archaea produce natural bioplastics called polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), storing them inside their cells as reserves of carbon and energy.
Microorganisms have long produced natural bioplastics called polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), storing them within their cells as carbon and energy reserves. Initially, scientists believed only microorganisms could break down these substances. However, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Germany have discovered that animals, including various marine and terrestrial species, possess enzymes capable of degrading microbial PHAs.
This finding, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, suggests a previously overlooked pathway for microbial carbon to enter animal food webs. The discovery began with a marine worm called Olavius algarvensis, which farms symbiotic bacteria beneath its skin and digests them for food. The worm's bacterial symbionts store large amounts of carbon as PHAs.
The researchers found that the worm has an enzyme that breaks down microbial PHAs into small molecules the animal can utilize. Surprisingly, similar enzymes were discovered in the genomes of over 66 animal species from nine different phyla, including a sponge, an earthworm, and a springtail. This discovery opens a new perspective on the interactions between microorganisms and animals, highlighting how studying unusual organisms can reveal unexpected biological processes.
Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
