Dataset Information

Light microenvironment and single-cell gradients of carbon fixation in tissues of symbiont-bearing corals.

ABSTRACT: Recent coral optics studies have revealed the presence of steep light gradients and optical microniches in tissues of symbiont-bearing corals. Yet, it is unknown whether such resource stratification allows for physiological differences of Symbiodinium within coral tissues. Using a combination of stable isotope labelling and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry, we investigated in hospite carbon fixation of individual Symbiodinium as a function of the local O2 and light microenvironment within the coral host determined with microsensors. We found that net carbon fixation rates of individual Symbiodinium cells differed on average about sixfold between upper and lower tissue layers of single coral polyps, whereas the light and O2 microenvironments differed ~15- and 2.5-fold, respectively, indicating differences in light utilisation efficiency along the light microgradient within the coral tissue. Our study suggests that the structure of coral tissues might be conceptually similar to photosynthetic biofilms, where steep physico-chemical gradients define form and function of the local microbial community.

SUBMITTER: Wangpraseurt D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4817679 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Light microenvironment and single-cell gradients of carbon fixation in tissues of symbiont-bearing corals.

Wangpraseurt Daniel D Pernice Mathieu M Guagliardo Paul P Kilburn Matt R MR Clode Peta L PL Polerecky Lubos L Kühl Michael M

The ISME journal 20150804 3

Recent coral optics studies have revealed the presence of steep light gradients and optical microniches in tissues of symbiont-bearing corals. Yet, it is unknown whether such resource stratification allows for physiological differences of Symbiodinium within coral tissues. Using a combination of stable isotope labelling and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry, we investigated in hospite carbon fixation of individual Symbiodinium as a function of the local O2 and light microenvironment with ...[more]

PMID: 26241503

Similar Datasets

Project description:Algal symbionts of corals can influence host stress resistance; for example, in the Pacific Ocean, whereas Cladocopium (C-type) is generally dominant in corals, Durusdinium (D-type) is found in more heat-resistant corals. Thus, the presence of D-type symbiont likely increases coral heat tolerance, and this symbiotic relationship potentially provides a hint to increase the stress tolerance of coral-algal symbioses. In this study, transcriptome profiles of Cladocopium- and Durusdinium-harboring Acropora solitaryensis (C-coral and D-coral, respectively) and algal photosystem functioning (F v /F m ) under bleaching conditions (high temperature and light stress) were compared. Stress treatment caused algal photoinhibition that the F v /F m value of Symbiodiniaceae was immediately reduced. The transcriptome analysis of corals revealed that genes involved in the following processes were detected: endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, mitophagy, apoptosis, endocytosis, metabolic processes (acetyl-CoA, chitin metabolic processes, etc.), and the PI3K-AKT pathway were upregulated, while DNA replication and the calcium signaling pathway were downregulated in both C- and D-corals. These results suggest that unrepaired DNA and protein damages were accumulated in corals under high temperature and light stress. Additionally, some differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were specific to C- or D-corals, which includes genes involved in transient receptor potential (TRP) channels and vitamin B metabolic processes. Algal transcriptome analysis showed the increased expression of gene encoding photosystem and molecular chaperone especially in D-type symbiont. The transcriptome data imply a possible difference in the stress reactions on C-type and D-type symbionts. The results reveal the basic process of coral heat/light stress response and symbiont-type-specific coral transcriptional responses, which provides a perspective on the mechanisms that cause differences in coral stress tolerance.

Dataset Information

Light microenvironment and single-cell gradients of carbon fixation in tissues of symbiont-bearing corals.

Publications

Light microenvironment and single-cell gradients of carbon fixation in tissues of symbiont-bearing corals.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets