Unveiling Marine Vesicle Uptake in <i>Vibrio</i> spp: Taxonomic and Environmental Insights

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are involved in diverse functions in nature, from biogeochemical cycles to pathogenesis. Here, we investigate whether taxonomy represents a boundary that constrains the uptake of vesicles between different marine species. We focus on Vibrio spp. since they are ubiquitous and play different roles, including in diseases affecting humans and marine organisms, such as corals. Spectral flow cytometry data showed intra- and inter-species uptake of EVs from the pathogenic Vibrio kanaloae and Vibrio coralliilyticus by different Vibrio strains and species, including other marine and non-marine Gram-negative and Gram-positive recipient bacteria. EV fusion efficiencies with recipient cells ranged from 53% to 99%, although these values may vary depending on the nutrient status of the cells. Data suggest that EV fusion between cells from different taxa can occur regardless the phylogenetic distance between the EV donor and recipient cell and the quantity of EVs added. Data revealed that nutrient conditions did not play a significant role in the number of EVs released by the analyzed Vibrio spp., although differences were observed in the amount of DNA exported in EVs (p-value = 0.02), with more bulk vesicular DNA cargo in diluted nutrient conditions. Nearly the entire genome of the targeted Vibrio spp. was detected in the EV fraction. Our data suggest that taxonomic distance between the EV donor and recipient cell is not a major boundary.