Research Progress on Marine DMSP-Chemotactic Microorganisms

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is an important sulfur-containing compound widely distributed in the ocean, playing a key role in the global carbon and sulfur cycles. It is also the primary precursor of the climate-active gas Dimethyl sulfide (DMS). Microbial chemotaxis towards DMSP significantly influences its utilization and the release of DMS. This review summarizes the major DMSP-chemotactic microbial groups and the ecological functions of DMSP in algae-bacteria symbiosis and coral reef ecosystems from three perspectives: microbial groups, molecular mechanisms, and technological advancements. It elucidates the molecular signal transduction pathways underlying chemotaxis and the potential coupling mechanisms between chemotaxis and DMSP cleavage. Additionally, the advantages and limitations of chemotaxis detection techniques, including capillary assays and microfluidic chips, are analyzed. Although the roles of microbial DMSP chemotaxis in various marine ecosystems are gradually being uncovered, the diversity of DMSP-chemotactic groups, the differences in chemotactic abilities, and the underlying mechanisms in marine environments require further investigation. Future research should combine high-throughput omics technologies, in situ observations, and predictive modeling to comprehensively explore the mechanisms of marine microbial DMSP chemotaxis, aiming to reveal their roles in biogeochemical cycling and the release of climate-active gases.