Project description:Background: The molecular machinery underpinning the establishment of this relationship is not well understood. This is especially true of the symbiont side, as previous attempts to understand the interaction between coral larvae and Symbiodiniaceae have focused nearly exclusively on the host Results: The transcriptomic response of C. goreaui to the symbiotic state was complex, the most obvious feature of which was extensive and generalized downregulation of gene expression. Included in this “symbiosis-derived transcriptional repression” were a range of stress response and immune-related genes. In contrast, a range of genes implicated in metabolism were upregulated in the symbiotic state. Consistent with previous ecological studies, this transcriptomic response of C. goreaui suggests that active translocation of metabolites to the host may begin early in the colonization process, and thus that the mutualistic relationship is established at the larval stage Conclusions: This study provides novel insights into the transcriptomic remodelling that occurs in C. goreaui during transition to a symbiotic lifestyle, with important implications for understanding the establishment of symbiosis between corals and their dinoflagellate partners.
Project description:<p>As a well-known pseudo-persistent environmental pollutant, oxybenzone (BP-3) and its related organic ultraviolet (UV) filters have been verified to directly contribute to the increasing mortality rate of coral reefs. Previous studies have revealed the potential role of symbiotic Symbiodiniaceae in protecting corals from the toxic effects of UV filters. However, the detailed protection mechanism(s) have not been explained. Here, the impacts of BP-3 on the symbiotic Symbiodiniaceae <em>Cladocopium goreaui</em> were explored. <em>C. goreaui</em> cells exhibited distinct cell growth at different BP-3 doses, with increasing growth at the lower concentration (2 mg/L) and rapid death at a higher concentration (20 mg/L). Furthermore, <em>C. goreaui</em> cells showed a significant BP-3 uptake at the lower BP-3 concentration. BP-3 absorbing cells exhibited elevated photosynthetic efficiency, and decreased cellular carbon and nitrogen contents. Besides, the derivatives of BP-3 and aromatic amino acid metabolism highly responded to BP-3 absorption and biodegradation. Our physiological and metabolic results reveal that the symbiotic Symbiodiniaceae could resist the toxicity of a range of BP-3 through promoting cell division, photosynthesis and reprogramming amino acid metabolism. This study provides novel insights into the influences of organic UV filters to coral reef ecosystems, which urgently needs increasing attention and management.</p>
2023-02-21 | MTBLS6890 | MetaboLights
Project description:Transcriptome of Cladocopium goreaui
Project description:Background: The molecular machinery underpinning the establishment of this relationship is not well understood. This is especially true of the symbiont side, as previous attempts to understand the interaction between coral larvae and Symbiodiniaceae have focused nearly exclusively on the host Results: In the current study, we utilised dual RNA-seq approach to study both symbiont and coral transcriptomes during symbiosis establishment. The transcriptomic response of C. goreaui to the symbiotic state was complex, the most obvious feature of which was extensive and generalized downregulation of gene expression. Included in this “symbiosis-derived transcriptional repression” were a range of stress response and immune-related genes. In contrast, a range of genes implicated in metabolism were upregulated in the symbiotic state. Consistent with previous ecological studies, this transcriptomic response of C. goreaui suggests that active translocation of metabolites to the host may begin early in the colonization process, and thus that the mutualistic relationship is established at the larval stage. The coral data imply the involvement of some SCRiP family members in the colonisation process and support the hypothesis that immune-suppression and arrest of phagosome maturation play important roles during the establishment of compatible symbioses. Conclusions: This study provides novel insights into the transcriptomic remodelling that occurs in C. goreaui during transition to a symbiotic lifestyle, with important implications for understanding the establishment of symbiosis between corals and their dinoflagellate partners.