Extracellular phosphoesterases of invertebrate origin: underrated actors in phosphorus recycling?

Abstract

AbstractExtracellular enzymes contribute substantially to the remineralisation of organic matter in aquatic systems. Marine invertebrates release endogenous enzymes through activities such as sloppy feeding or egestion, but the significance of such processes is widely unexplored. We compared functional key properties such as activity, stability, and apparent molecular masses of extracellular phosphatases from faeces of the marine crustaceans Idotea balthica, Palaemon varians, and Homarus gammarus with those of their digestive organs. A fluorescent substrate was used to examine enzyme activity qualitatively on agarose plates and quantitatively in microplate assays. Apparent molecular masses and enzyme stability were examined by native substrate gel electrophoresis (NSGE). Active extracellular phosphatase were present in the faeces of all tested species. NSGE activity band patterns were similar in digestive tissue extracts and faeces extracts. The initial enzyme activity retained for about 2 days, but thereafter rapidly decreased. Activity band patterns of digestive organs and faeces of I. balthica remained consistent for up to 72 h. Antibiotic treatment did not reduce phosphatase activity in the faeces of I. balthica and H. gammarus but in the faeces P. varians. Because of the comparatively high activities in the faeces, the electrophoretic similarity between faeces and digestive organs, and the limited durability of the enzymes in faeces extracts, we conclude that the studied crustaceans release predominantly endogenous, rather than bacterial phosphatases through faeces. These can substantially contribute to the pool of active extracellular phosphatases and the recycling of phosphorus in aquatic systems. The wider physiological and ecological context is discussed.