biostudies-literatureTuttle RNNational Science Foundation (NSF)NIGMS NIH HHSNational Science Foundatione0117621https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8752147biostudies-literatureUnknown88(1)The obligate marine actinobacterial genus <i>Salinispora</i> has become a model organism for natural product discovery, yet little is known about the ecological functions of the compounds produced by this taxon. The aims of this study were to assess the effects of live cultures and culture extracts from two <i>Salinispora</i> species on invertebrate predators. In choice-based feeding experiments using the bacterivorous nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, live cultures of both <i>Salinispora</i> species were less preferred than Escherichia coli. When given a choice between the two species, C. elegans preferred <i>S. areniolca</i> over <i>S. tropica</i>. Culture extracts from <i>S. tropica</i> deterred C. elegans, while those from <i>S. arenicola</i> did not, suggesting that compounds produced by <i>S. tropica</i> account for the feeding deterrence. Bioactivity-guided isolation linked compounds in the lomaiviticin series to the deterrent activity. Additional assays using the marine polychaete <i>Ophryotrocha siberti</i> and marine nematodes further support the deterrent activity of <i>S. tropica</i> against potential predators. These results provide evidence that <i>Salinispora</i> natural products function as a defense against predation and that the strategies of predation defense differ between closely related species. <b>IMPORTANCE</b> Bacteria inhabiting marine sediments are subject to predation by bacterivorous eukaryotes. Here, we test the hypothesis that sediment-derived bacteria in the genus <i>Salinispora</i> produce biologically active natural products that function as a defense against predation. The results reveal that cultures and culture extracts of <i>S. tropica</i> deter feeding by Caenorhabditis elegans and negatively affect the habitat preference of a marine annelid (<i>Ophryotrocha siberti</i>). These activities were linked to the lomaiviticins, a series of cytotoxic compounds produced by <i>S. tropica</i>. Microbial natural products that function as a defense against predation represent a poorly understood trait that can influence community structure in marine sediments.Applied and environmental microbiologySpecialized Metabolite-Mediated Predation Defense in the Marine Actinobacterium <i>Salinispora</i>.PMC8752147K12 GM068524OCE-1235142Castro-Falcon GTuttle RNHughes CCJensen PRRouse GWfalseSpecialized Metabolite-Mediated Predation Defense in the Marine Actinobacterium <i>Salinispora</i>.The obligate marine actinobacterial genus <i>Salinispora</i> has become a model organism for natural product discovery, yet little is known about the ecological functions of the compounds produced by this taxon. The aims of this study were to assess the effects of live cultures and culture extracts from two <i>Salinispora</i> species on invertebrate predators. In choice-based feeding experiments using the bacterivorous nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, live cultures of both <i>Salinispora</i> species were less preferred than Escherichia coli. When given a choice between the two species, C. elegans preferred <i>S. areniolca</i> over <i>S. tropica</i>. Culture extracts from <i>S. tropica</i> deterred C. elegans, while those from <i>S. arenicola</i> did not, suggesting that compounds produced by <i>S. tropica</i> account for the feeding deterrence. Bioactivity-guided isolation linked compounds in the lomaiviticin series to the deterrent activity. Additional assays using the marine polychaete <i>Ophryotrocha siberti</i> and marine nematodes further support the deterrent activity of <i>S. tropica</i> against potential predators. These results provide evidence that <i>Salinispora</i> natural products function as a defense against predation and that the strategies of predation defense differ between closely related species. <b>IMPORTANCE</b> Bacteria inhabiting marine sediments are subject to predation by bacterivorous eukaryotes. Here, we test the hypothesis that sediment-derived bacteria in the genus <i>Salinispora</i> produce biologically active natural products that function as a defense against predation. The results reveal that cultures and culture extracts of <i>S. tropica</i> deter feeding by Caenorhabditis elegans and negatively affect the habitat preference of a marine annelid (<i>Ophryotrocha siberti</i>). These activities were linked to the lomaiviticins, a series of cytotoxic compounds produced by <i>S. tropica</i>. Microbial natural products that function as a defense against predation represent a poorly understood trait that can influence community structure in marine sediments.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Jan2026-06-15T06:06:56.646Z2025-04-04T08:01:32.81ZS-EPMC87521473466945010.1128/AEM.01176-2110.1128/aem.01176-21