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Wang C, Roeroe KA, Zhou Z, Niu G, Du J, Hu W, Zheng X. Gene expression plasticity governing symbiosis during natural coral bleaching. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 953:176046. [PMID: 39241871 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
The increasing global frequency and severity of coral bleaching events, driven by the loss of endosymbiotic algae, pose a significant threat to these vital ecosystems. However, gene expression plasticity offers a potential mechanism for rapid and effective acclimatization to environmental changes. We employed dual transcriptomics to examine the gene expression profile of Seriatopora hystrix, an ecologically important scleractinian coral, across healthy, mildly bleached, and severely bleached colonies collected from the waters of Likupang, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Our analysis revealed that coral bleaching is associated with gene plasticity in calcium signaling and focal adhesion within coral hosts, as well as with endoplasmic reticulum stress in symbionts. Notably, we identified specific genes associated with innate immunity that were predominantly overexpressed in mildly bleached coral hosts. This overexpression implies that high expression plasticity of these key genes might contribute to bleaching resistance and the preservation of the host-symbiont relationship. Our findings offer a detailed insight into the dynamics of bleaching resistance in S. hystrix, shedding light on the variability of bleaching risks in Indonesian reefs and underscoring the coral's ability to utilize gene expression plasticity for immediate survival and potential long-term adaptation to climate changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology Conservation and Restoration, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China; School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | | | - Zhi Zhou
- School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Gaofeng Niu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology Conservation and Restoration, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Jianguo Du
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology Conservation and Restoration, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China; Observation and Research Station of Wetland Ecosystem in the Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai 536015, China; Observation and Research Station of Island and Costal Ecosystem in the Western Taiwan Strait, Ministry of Natural Resources, China
| | - Wenjia Hu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology Conservation and Restoration, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China; Observation and Research Station of Wetland Ecosystem in the Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai 536015, China; Observation and Research Station of Island and Costal Ecosystem in the Western Taiwan Strait, Ministry of Natural Resources, China
| | - Xinqing Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology Conservation and Restoration, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China; Observation and Research Station of Wetland Ecosystem in the Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai 536015, China; Observation and Research Station of Island and Costal Ecosystem in the Western Taiwan Strait, Ministry of Natural Resources, China.
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Lock C, Gabriel MM, Bentlage B. Transcriptomic signatures across a critical sedimentation threshold in a major reef-building coral. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1303681. [PMID: 38919851 PMCID: PMC11196755 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1303681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Sedimentation is a major cause of global near-shore coral reef decline. Although the negative impacts of sedimentation on coral reef community composition have been well-documented, the effects of sedimentation on coral metabolism in situ have received comparatively little attention. Using transcriptomics, we identified gene expression patterns changing across a previously defined sedimentation threshold that was deemed critical due to changes in coral cover and community composition. We identified genes, pathways, and molecular processes associated with this transition that may allow corals, such as Porites lobata, to tolerate chronic, severe sedimentation and persist in turbid environments. Alternative energy generation pathways may help P. lobata maintain a persistent stress response to survive when the availability of light and oxygen is diminished. We found evidence for the expression of genes linked to increased environmental sensing and cellular communication that likely allow P. lobata to efficiently respond to sedimentation stress and associated pathogen challenges. Cell damage increases under stress; consequently, we found apoptosis pathways over-represented under severe sedimentation, a likely consequence of damaged cell removal to maintain colony integrity. The results presented here provide a framework for the response of P. lobata to sedimentation stress under field conditions. Testing this framework and its related hypotheses using multi-omics approaches can deepen our understanding of the metabolic plasticity and acclimation potential of corals to sedimentation and their resilience in turbid reef systems.
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Helgoe J, Davy SK, Weis VM, Rodriguez-Lanetty M. Triggers, cascades, and endpoints: connecting the dots of coral bleaching mechanisms. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:715-752. [PMID: 38217089 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The intracellular coral-dinoflagellate symbiosis is the engine that underpins the success of coral reefs, one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. However, the breakdown of the symbiosis and the loss of the microalgal symbiont (i.e. coral bleaching) due to environmental changes are resulting in the rapid degradation of coral reefs globally. There is an urgent need to understand the cellular physiology of coral bleaching at the mechanistic level to help develop solutions to mitigate the coral reef crisis. Here, at an unprecedented scope, we present novel models that integrate putative mechanisms of coral bleaching within a common framework according to the triggers (initiators of bleaching, e.g. heat, cold, light stress, hypoxia, hyposalinity), cascades (cellular pathways, e.g. photoinhibition, unfolded protein response, nitric oxide), and endpoints (mechanisms of symbiont loss, e.g. apoptosis, necrosis, exocytosis/vomocytosis). The models are supported by direct evidence from cnidarian systems, and indirectly through comparative evolutionary analyses from non-cnidarian systems. With this approach, new putative mechanisms have been established within and between cascades initiated by different bleaching triggers. In particular, the models provide new insights into the poorly understood connections between bleaching cascades and endpoints and highlight the role of a new mechanism of symbiont loss, i.e. 'symbiolysosomal digestion', which is different from symbiophagy. This review also increases the approachability of bleaching physiology for specialists and non-specialists by mapping the vast landscape of bleaching mechanisms in an atlas of comprehensible and detailed mechanistic models. We then discuss major knowledge gaps and how future research may improve the understanding of the connections between the diverse cascade of cellular pathways and the mechanisms of symbiont loss (endpoints).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Helgoe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, OE 167, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Simon K Davy
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Virginia M Weis
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, 2701 SW Campus Way, 2403 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Mauricio Rodriguez-Lanetty
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, OE 167, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL, USA
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4
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Bisanti L, La Corte C, Dara M, Bertini F, Parisi MG, Chemello R, Cammarata M, Parrinello D. Global warming-related response after bacterial challenge in Astroides calycularis, a Mediterranean thermophilic coral. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8495. [PMID: 38605161 PMCID: PMC11009343 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58652-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
A worldwide increase in the prevalence of coral diseases and mortality has been linked to ocean warming due to changes in coral-associated bacterial communities, pathogen virulence, and immune system function. In the Mediterranean basin, the worrying upward temperature trend has already caused recurrent mass mortality events in recent decades. To evaluate how elevated seawater temperatures affect the immune response of a thermophilic coral species, colonies of Astroides calycularis were exposed to environmental (23 °C) or elevated (28 °C) temperatures, and subsequently challenged with bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Using immunolabeling with specific antibodies, we detected the production of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), molecules involved in coral immune responses, and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) activity, involved in general responses to thermal stress. A histological approach allowed us to characterize the tissue sites of activation (epithelium and/or gastroderm) under different experimental conditions. The activity patterns of the examined markers after 6 h of LPS stimulation revealed an up-modulation at environmental temperature. Under warmer conditions plus LPS-challenge, TLR4-NF-kB activation was almost completely suppressed, while constituent elevated values were recorded under thermal stress only. An HSP70 up-regulation appeared in both treatments at elevated temperature, with a significantly higher activation in LPS-challenge colonies. Such an approach is useful for further understanding the molecular pathogen-defense mechanisms in corals in order to disentangle the complex interactive effects on the health of these ecologically relevant organisms related to global climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Bisanti
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128, Palermo, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - C La Corte
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128, Palermo, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - M Dara
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128, Palermo, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - F Bertini
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128, Palermo, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - M G Parisi
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128, Palermo, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - R Chemello
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128, Palermo, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - M Cammarata
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy.
| | - D Parrinello
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128, Palermo, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy
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Williams A. Multiomics data integration, limitations, and prospects to reveal the metabolic activity of the coral holobiont. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2024; 100:fiae058. [PMID: 38653719 PMCID: PMC11067971 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiae058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Since their radiation in the Middle Triassic period ∼240 million years ago, stony corals have survived past climate fluctuations and five mass extinctions. Their long-term survival underscores the inherent resilience of corals, particularly when considering the nutrient-poor marine environments in which they have thrived. However, coral bleaching has emerged as a global threat to coral survival, requiring rapid advancements in coral research to understand holobiont stress responses and allow for interventions before extensive bleaching occurs. This review encompasses the potential, as well as the limits, of multiomics data applications when applied to the coral holobiont. Synopses for how different omics tools have been applied to date and their current restrictions are discussed, in addition to ways these restrictions may be overcome, such as recruiting new technology to studies, utilizing novel bioinformatics approaches, and generally integrating omics data. Lastly, this review presents considerations for the design of holobiont multiomics studies to support lab-to-field advancements of coral stress marker monitoring systems. Although much of the bleaching mechanism has eluded investigation to date, multiomic studies have already produced key findings regarding the holobiont's stress response, and have the potential to advance the field further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Williams
- Microbial Biology Graduate Program, Rutgers University, 76 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, 76 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
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Jia S, Geng X, Cai Z, Wang Y, Shen J, Li Y, Wu Z, Chen S, Wang D. Comparison of physiological and transcriptome responses of corals to strong light and high temperature. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 273:116143. [PMID: 38430582 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/04/2024]
Abstract
Coral reefs are essential for marine ecology and biodiversity. Global climate change has resulted in severe coral reef degradation, partly via coral bleaching, which is caused by rising sea temperatures and solar light intensity. In this study, we examined the impact of strong light (300 µmol.m-2.s-1) and high temperature (33°C) on the growth, immunity, and gene expression of Galaxea fascicularis. Strong light caused coral bleaching in the absence of high sea temperatures, while no obvious bleaching was observed under high temperature alone. The effect of strong light on calcification rate of G. fascicularis is significantly weaker than that of high temperature. Both strong light and high temperatures significantly affected the immune enzyme activity of G. fascicularis symbionts, with the former having a strong effect on their photosystem. Temperature affected the digestive system, replication and repair, and cell growth and death of coral hosts, as indicated by transcriptomics analysis. These results provide a valuable for strategies to mitigate coral bleaching. TEASER: We explored the effects of strong light exposure and high temperature on coral reefs and their symbiont algae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwen Jia
- Hainan Academy of Ocean and Fisheries Sciences, Haikou 571136, China; Key Laboratory for Coastal Marine Eco-Environment Process and Carbon Sink of Hainan province, Yazhou Bay Innovation Institute, College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 572000, China; Key laboratory of Utilization and Conservation for Tropical Marine Bioresources (Hainan Tropical Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Sanya 572022, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Geng
- Hainan Academy of Ocean and Fisheries Sciences, Haikou 571136, China; Key Laboratory for Coastal Marine Eco-Environment Process and Carbon Sink of Hainan province, Yazhou Bay Innovation Institute, College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 572000, China; Key laboratory of Utilization and Conservation for Tropical Marine Bioresources (Hainan Tropical Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Sanya 572022, China
| | - Zefu Cai
- Hainan Academy of Ocean and Fisheries Sciences, Haikou 571136, China; Key Laboratory for Coastal Marine Eco-Environment Process and Carbon Sink of Hainan province, Yazhou Bay Innovation Institute, College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 572000, China; Key laboratory of Utilization and Conservation for Tropical Marine Bioresources (Hainan Tropical Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Sanya 572022, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Hainan Academy of Ocean and Fisheries Sciences, Haikou 571136, China; Key Laboratory for Coastal Marine Eco-Environment Process and Carbon Sink of Hainan province, Yazhou Bay Innovation Institute, College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 572000, China; Key laboratory of Utilization and Conservation for Tropical Marine Bioresources (Hainan Tropical Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Sanya 572022, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Hainan Academy of Ocean and Fisheries Sciences, Haikou 571136, China; Key Laboratory for Coastal Marine Eco-Environment Process and Carbon Sink of Hainan province, Yazhou Bay Innovation Institute, College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 572000, China; Key laboratory of Utilization and Conservation for Tropical Marine Bioresources (Hainan Tropical Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Sanya 572022, China
| | - Yuanchao Li
- Hainan Academy of Ocean and Fisheries Sciences, Haikou 571136, China; Key Laboratory for Coastal Marine Eco-Environment Process and Carbon Sink of Hainan province, Yazhou Bay Innovation Institute, College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 572000, China; Key laboratory of Utilization and Conservation for Tropical Marine Bioresources (Hainan Tropical Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Sanya 572022, China
| | - Zhongjie Wu
- Hainan Academy of Ocean and Fisheries Sciences, Haikou 571136, China; Key Laboratory for Coastal Marine Eco-Environment Process and Carbon Sink of Hainan province, Yazhou Bay Innovation Institute, College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 572000, China; Key laboratory of Utilization and Conservation for Tropical Marine Bioresources (Hainan Tropical Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Sanya 572022, China
| | - Shiquan Chen
- Hainan Academy of Ocean and Fisheries Sciences, Haikou 571136, China; Key Laboratory for Coastal Marine Eco-Environment Process and Carbon Sink of Hainan province, Yazhou Bay Innovation Institute, College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 572000, China; Key laboratory of Utilization and Conservation for Tropical Marine Bioresources (Hainan Tropical Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Sanya 572022, China.
| | - Daoru Wang
- Hainan Academy of Ocean and Fisheries Sciences, Haikou 571136, China; Key Laboratory for Coastal Marine Eco-Environment Process and Carbon Sink of Hainan province, Yazhou Bay Innovation Institute, College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 572000, China; Key laboratory of Utilization and Conservation for Tropical Marine Bioresources (Hainan Tropical Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Sanya 572022, China.
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Morgan MB, Williams J, Breeze B, English N, Higdon N, Onthank K, Qualley DF. Synergistic and antagonistic interactions of oxybenzone and ocean acidification: new insight into vulnerable cellular processes in non-calcifying anthozoans. Front Physiol 2024; 14:1332446. [PMID: 38274044 PMCID: PMC10808722 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1332446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cnidarians face significant threats from ocean acidification (OA) and anthropogenic pollutants such as oxybenzone (BP-3). The convergence of threats from multiple stressors is an important area to investigate because of potential significant synergistic or antagonistic interactions. Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to characterize the expression profiles of twenty-two genes of interest (GOI) in sea anemones (Exaiptasia diaphana) exposed to one of four treatments: 1) 96 h of OA conditions followed by a 4 h exposure to 20 ppb BP-3; 2) Exposure to 4 h 20 ppb BP-3 without 96 h of OA; 3) Exposure to 96 h of OA alone; or 4) laboratory conditions with no exposure to BP-3 and/or OA. These 22 GOIs represent cellular processes associated with proton-dependent transport, sodium-dependent transport, metal cation binding/transport, extracellular matrix, amino acid metabolism/transport, immunity, and/or steroidogenesis. These 22 GOIs provide new insight into vulnerable cellular processes in non-calcifying anthozoans exposed to OA and BP-3. Expression profiles were categorized as synergistic, antagonistic, or additive of BP-3 in the presence of OA. Two GOIs were synergistic. Fifteen GOIs were antagonistic and the remaining five GOIs were additive in response to BP-3 in acidified seawater. A subset of these GOIs appear to be candidate biomarkers for future in situ investigations. In human health, proton-dependent monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) are promising pharmacological targets and recognized as potential biomarkers. By comparison, these same MCTs appear to be targets of xenobiotic chemical pollutants in cnidarian physiology. In the presence of BP-3, a network of collagen synthesis genes are upregulated and antagonistic in their expression profiles. Cytochrome b561 is a critical protein required for collagen synthesis and in silico modeling demonstrates BP-3 binds in the pocket of cytochrome b561. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of "drug-like" compounds such as BP-3 may lead to a more comprehensive interpretation of transcriptional expression profiles. The collective antagonistic responses of GOIs associated with collagen synthesis strongly suggests these GOIs should be considered candidate biomarkers of effect. GOIs with synergistic and additive responses represent candidate biomarkers of exposure. Results show the effects of OA and BP-3 are interactive with respect to their impact on cnidarians. This investigation offers mechanistic data that supports the expression profiles and underpins higher order physiological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B. Morgan
- Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
| | - Jacob Williams
- Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
| | - Barrett Breeze
- Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
| | - Nicholas English
- Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
| | - Nathaniel Higdon
- Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
| | - Kirt Onthank
- Department of Biology, Walla Walla University, College Place, WA, United States
| | - Dominic F. Qualley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
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8
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Villafranca N, Changsut I, Diaz de Villegas S, Womack H, Fuess LE. Characterization of trade-offs between immunity and reproduction in the coral species Astrangia poculata. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16586. [PMID: 38077420 PMCID: PMC10702360 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Living organisms face ubiquitous pathogenic threats and have consequently evolved immune systems to protect against potential invaders. However, many components of the immune system are physiologically costly to maintain and engage, often drawing resources away from other organismal processes such as growth and reproduction. Evidence from a diversity of systems has demonstrated that organisms use complex resource allocation mechanisms to manage competing needs and optimize fitness. However, understanding of resource allocation patterns is limited across taxa. Cnidarians, which include ecologically important organisms like hard corals, have been historically understudied in the context of resource allocations. Improving understanding of resource allocation-associated trade-offs in cnidarians is critical for understanding future ecological dynamics in the face of rapid environmental change. Methods Here, we characterize trade-offs between constitutive immunity and reproduction in the facultatively symbiotic coral Astrangia poculata. Male colonies underwent ex situ spawning and sperm density was quantified. We then examined the effects of variable symbiont density and energetic budget on physiological traits, including immune activity and reproductive investment. Furthermore, we tested for potential trade-offs between immune activity and reproductive investment. Results We found limited associations between energetic budget and immune metrics; melanin production was significantly positively associated with carbohydrate concentration. However, we failed to document any associations between immunity and reproductive output which would be indicative of trade-offs, possibly due to experimental limitations. Our results provide a preliminary framework for future studies investigating immune trade-offs in cnidarians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Villafranca
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, United States
| | - Isabella Changsut
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, United States
| | | | - Haley Womack
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, United States
| | - Lauren E. Fuess
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, United States
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Stenvers VI, Hauss H, Bayer T, Havermans C, Hentschel U, Schmittmann L, Sweetman AK, Hoving HJT. Experimental mining plumes and ocean warming trigger stress in a deep pelagic jellyfish. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7352. [PMID: 37990021 PMCID: PMC10663454 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43023-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The deep pelagic ocean is increasingly subjected to human-induced environmental change. While pelagic animals provide important ecosystem functions including climate regulation, species-specific responses to stressors remain poorly documented. Here, we investigate the effects of simulated ocean warming and sediment plumes on the cosmopolitan deep-sea jellyfish Periphylla periphylla, combining insights gained from physiology, gene expression and changes in associated microbiota. Metabolic demand was elevated following a 4 °C rise in temperature, promoting genes related to innate immunity but suppressing aerobic respiration. Suspended sediment plumes provoked the most acute and energetically costly response through the production of excess mucus (at ≥17 mg L-1), while inducing genes related to aerobic respiration and wound repair (at ≥167 mg L-1). Microbial symbionts appeared to be unaffected by both stressors, with mucus production maintaining microbial community composition. If these responses are representative for other gelatinous fauna, an abundant component of pelagic ecosystems, the effects of planned exploitation of seafloor resources may impair deep pelagic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa I Stenvers
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstraße 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany.
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, P.O. Box 37012, USA.
| | - Helena Hauss
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstraße 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
- Norwegian Research Centre AS (NORCE), Stavanger, Norway
| | - Till Bayer
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstraße 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
| | - Charlotte Havermans
- HYIG ARJEL, Functional Ecology, Alfred Wegner Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Ute Hentschel
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstraße 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lara Schmittmann
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstraße 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
| | - Andrew K Sweetman
- Seafloor Ecology and Biogeochemistry Research Group, Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Oban, Scotland, UK
| | - Henk-Jan T Hoving
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstraße 1-3, 24148, Kiel, Germany
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10
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Yoshioka Y, Chiu YL, Uchida T, Yamashita H, Suzuki G, Shinzato C. Genes possibly related to symbiosis in early life stages of Acropora tenuis inoculated with Symbiodinium microadriaticum. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1027. [PMID: 37853100 PMCID: PMC10584924 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05350-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the ecological importance of mutualism between reef-building corals and symbiotic algae (Family Symbiodiniaceae), various transcriptomic studies on coral-algal symbiosis have been performed; however, molecular mechanisms, especially genes essential to initiate and maintain these symbioses remain unknown. We investigated transcriptomic responses of Acropora tenuis to inoculation with the native algal symbiont, Symbiodinium microadriaticum, during early life stages, and identified possible symbiosis-related genes. Genes involved in immune regulation, protection against oxidative stress, and metabolic interactions between partners are particularly important for symbiosis during Acropora early life stages. In addition, molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that some possible symbiosis-related genes originated by gene duplication in the Acropora lineage, suggesting that gene duplication may have been the driving force to establish stable mutualism in Acropora, and that symbiotic molecular mechanisms may vary among coral lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Yoshioka
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute (AORI), The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan.
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa, Japan.
| | - Yi-Ling Chiu
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute (AORI), The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
| | - Taiga Uchida
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute (AORI), The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yamashita
- Fisheries Technology Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Go Suzuki
- Fisheries Technology Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Chuya Shinzato
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute (AORI), The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan.
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11
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Williams A, Stephens TG, Shumaker A, Bhattacharya D. Peeling back the layers of coral holobiont multi-omics data. iScience 2023; 26:107623. [PMID: 37694134 PMCID: PMC10482995 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The integration of multiple 'omics' datasets is a promising avenue for answering many important and challenging questions in biology, particularly those relating to complex ecological systems. Although multi-omics was developed using data from model organisms with significant prior knowledge and resources, its application to non-model organisms, such as coral holobionts, is less clear-cut. We explore, in the emerging rice coral model Montipora capitata, the intersection of holobiont transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and microbiome amplicon data and investigate how well they correlate under high temperature treatment. Using a typical thermal stress regime, we show that transcriptomic and proteomic data broadly capture the stress response of the coral, whereas the metabolome and microbiome datasets show patterns that likely reflect stochastic and homeostatic processes associated with each sample. These results provide a framework for interpreting multi-omics data generated from non-model systems, particularly those with complex biotic interactions among microbial partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Williams
- Microbial Biology Graduate Program, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Timothy G. Stephens
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Alexander Shumaker
- Microbial Biology Graduate Program, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Debashish Bhattacharya
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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12
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Hawthorn A, Berzins IK, Dennis MM, Kiupel M, Newton AL, Peters EC, Reyes VA, Work TM. An introduction to lesions and histology of scleractinian corals. Vet Pathol 2023; 60:529-546. [PMID: 37519147 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231189289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Stony corals (Scleractinia) are in the Phylum Cnidaria (cnidae referring to various types of stinging cells). They may be solitary or colonial, but all secrete an external, supporting aragonite skeleton. Large, colonial members of this phylum are responsible for the accretion of coral reefs in tropical and subtropical waters that form the foundations of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems. Coral reefs worldwide, but particularly in the Caribbean, are experiencing unprecedented levels of disease, resulting in reef degradation. Most coral diseases remain poorly described and lack clear case definitions, while the etiologies and pathogenesis are even more elusive. This introductory guide is focused on reef-building corals and describes basic gross and microscopic lesions in these corals in order to serve as an invitation to other veterinary pathologists to play a critical role in defining and advancing the field of coral pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aine Hawthorn
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
- U.S. Geological Survey, Seattle, WA
| | - Ilze K Berzins
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- One Water, One Health, LLC, Golden Valley, MN
| | | | | | - Alisa L Newton
- ZooQuatic Laboratory, LLC, Baltimore, MD
- OCEARCH, Park City, UT
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13
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Young BD, Rosales SM, Enochs IC, Kolodziej G, Formel N, Moura A, D'Alonso GL, Traylor-Knowles N. Different disease inoculations cause common responses of the host immune system and prokaryotic component of the microbiome in Acropora palmata. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286293. [PMID: 37228141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Reef-building corals contain a complex consortium of organisms, a holobiont, which responds dynamically to disease, making pathogen identification difficult. While coral transcriptomics and microbiome communities have previously been characterized, similarities and differences in their responses to different pathogenic sources has not yet been assessed. In this study, we inoculated four genets of the Caribbean branching coral Acropora palmata with a known coral pathogen (Serratia marcescens) and white band disease. We then characterized the coral's transcriptomic and prokaryotic microbiomes' (prokaryiome) responses to the disease inoculations, as well as how these responses were affected by a short-term heat stress prior to disease inoculation. We found strong commonality in both the transcriptomic and prokaryiomes responses, regardless of disease inoculation. Differences, however, were observed between inoculated corals that either remained healthy or developed active disease signs. Transcriptomic co-expression analysis identified that corals inoculated with disease increased gene expression of immune, wound healing, and fatty acid metabolic processes. Co-abundance analysis of the prokaryiome identified sets of both healthy-and-disease-state bacteria, while co-expression analysis of the prokaryiomes' inferred metagenomic function revealed infected corals' prokaryiomes shifted from free-living to biofilm states, as well as increasing metabolic processes. The short-term heat stress did not increase disease susceptibility for any of the four genets with any of the disease inoculations, and there was only a weak effect captured in the coral hosts' transcriptomic and prokaryiomes response. Genet identity, however, was a major driver of the transcriptomic variance, primarily due to differences in baseline immune gene expression. Despite genotypic differences in baseline gene expression, we have identified a common response for components of the coral holobiont to different disease inoculations. This work has identified genes and prokaryiome members that can be focused on for future coral disease work, specifically, putative disease diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin D Young
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- Cooperative Institute of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Rosenstiel School of Marine Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Stephanie M Rosales
- Cooperative Institute of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Rosenstiel School of Marine Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ian C Enochs
- Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Graham Kolodziej
- Cooperative Institute of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Rosenstiel School of Marine Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Nathan Formel
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Amelia Moura
- Coral Restoration Foundation, Tavernier, Florida, United States of America
| | | | - Nikki Traylor-Knowles
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
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14
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Eliachar S, Snyder GA, Barkan SK, Talice S, Otolenghi A, Jaimes-Becerra A, Sharoni T, Sultan E, Hadad U, Levy O, Moran Y, Gershoni-Yahalom O, Traylor-Knowles N, Rosental B. Heat stress increases immune cell function in Hexacorallia. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1016097. [PMID: 36618389 PMCID: PMC9815446 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1016097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change induced heat stress has increased coral bleaching events worldwide. Differentially regulated immune genes are one of the primary responses to heat stress suggesting that immune activation is critical. However, the cellular immune mechanisms of coral bleaching is currently unknown, and it is still not known if the immune response documented during heat stress is a consequence of bleaching or is directly caused by the heat stress itself. To address this question, we have used two model system sea anemones (Order: Actiniaria): Exaiptasia diaphana and Nematostella vectensis. E. diaphana is an established sea anemone model for algal symbiont interaction, while N. vectensis is an established sea anemone model that lacks the algal symbiont. Here, we examined the effect of increased temperature on phagocytic activity, as an indication of immune function. Our data shows that immune cell activity increases during heat stress, while small molecule pinocytosis remains unaffected. We observed an increase in cellular production of reactive oxygen species with increasing temperatures. We also found that the cellular immune activity was not affected by the presence of the Symbiodiniaceae. Our results suggest that the immune activity observed in heat-stress induced bleaching in corals is a fundamental and basic response independent of the bleaching effect. These results establish a foundation for improving our understanding of hexacorallian immune cell biology, and its potential role in coral bleaching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shir Eliachar
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Grace Ann Snyder
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Shany Klara Barkan
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Shani Talice
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Aner Otolenghi
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Adrian Jaimes-Becerra
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ton Sharoni
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eliya Sultan
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Uzi Hadad
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Oren Levy
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yehu Moran
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Orly Gershoni-Yahalom
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Nikki Traylor-Knowles
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States,*Correspondence: Nikki Traylor-Knowles, ; Benyamin Rosental,
| | - Benyamin Rosental
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel,*Correspondence: Nikki Traylor-Knowles, ; Benyamin Rosental,
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15
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Changsut I, Womack HR, Shickle A, Sharp KH, Fuess LE. Variation in symbiont density is linked to changes in constitutive immunity in the facultatively symbiotic coral, Astrangia poculata. Biol Lett 2022; 18:20220273. [PMID: 36382375 PMCID: PMC9667134 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Scleractinian corals are essential ecosystem engineers, forming the basis of coral reef ecosystems. However, these organisms are in decline globally, in part due to rising disease prevalence. Most corals are dependent on symbiotic interactions with single-celled algae from the family Symbiodiniaceae to meet their nutritional needs, however, suppression of host immunity may be essential to this relationship. To explore immunological consequences of algal symbioses in scleractinian corals, we investigated constitutive immune activity in the facultatively symbiotic coral, Astrangia poculata. We compared immune metrics (melanin synthesis, antioxidant production and antibacterial activity) between coral colonies of varying symbiont density. Symbiont density was positively correlated to both antioxidant activity and melanin concentration, likely as a result of the dual roles of these pathways in immunity and symbiosis regulation. Our results confirm the complex nature of relationships between algal symbiosis and host immunity and highlight the need for nuanced approaches when considering these relationships.
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16
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Harman TE, Barshis DJ, Hauff Salas B, Hamsher SE, Strychar KB. Indications of symbiotic state influencing melanin-synthesis immune response in the facultative coral Astrangia poculata. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2022; 151:63-74. [PMID: 36173117 DOI: 10.3354/dao03695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Increased ocean warming is causing detrimental impacts to tropical corals worldwide. Compounding the effects of heat stress, incidences of tropical coral disease have risen concurrently. While tropical coral responses to these impacts are well studied, temperate coral responses remain largely unknown. The present study focused on the immune response of the temperate coral Astrangia poculata to increased temperature and disease. Symbiotic and aposymbiotic A. poculata were collected from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island (USA) in summer and winter seasons and exposed to control (18°C) versus elevated temperatures (26°C) in the presence of an immune stimulant (i.e. lipopolysaccharide) for a 12 h period. Prophenoloxidase (PPO) and melanin concentrations from the melanin-synthesis pathway were assessed via spectrophotometry to examine immune responses. While PPO measurements were higher on average in symbiotic corals compared with aposymbiotic corals, temperature and season did not significantly affect this metric. Melanin was significantly higher in symbiotic compared to aposymbiotic corals, implying that symbiotic state may be important for melanin-synthesis response. Conversely, melanin as an immune response may be of less importance in aposymbiotic A. poculata due to the potential capacity of other immune responses in this species. In addition, differences in resource allocation to immune investment as a result of symbiosis is plausible given melanin production observed within the present study. However, thermal stressors may reduce the overall influence of symbiosis on melanin production. Future studies should build upon these results to further understand the entirety of innate immunity responses in temperate coral species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler E Harman
- Annis Water Resources Institute, Grand Valley State University, 740 West Shoreline Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441, USA
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17
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Meng Z, Williams A, Liau P, Stephens TG, Drury C, Chiles EN, Su X, Javanmard M, Bhattacharya D. Development of a portable toolkit to diagnose coral thermal stress. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14398. [PMID: 36002502 PMCID: PMC9402530 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18653-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral bleaching, precipitated by the expulsion of the algal symbionts that provide colonies with fixed carbon is a global threat to reef survival. To protect corals from anthropogenic stress, portable tools are needed to detect and diagnose stress syndromes and assess population health prior to extensive bleaching. Here, medical grade Urinalysis strips, used to detect an array of disease markers in humans, were tested on the lab stressed Hawaiian coral species, Montipora capitata (stress resistant) and Pocillopora acuta (stress sensitive), as well as samples from nature that also included Porites compressa. Of the 10 diagnostic reagent tests on these strips, two appear most applicable to corals: ketone and leukocytes. The test strip results from M. capitata were explored using existing transcriptomic data from the same samples and provided evidence of the stress syndromes detected by the strips. We designed a 3D printed smartphone holder and image processing software for field analysis of test strips (TestStripDX) and devised a simple strategy to generate color scores for corals (reflecting extent of bleaching) using a smartphone camera (CoralDX). Our approaches provide field deployable methods, that can be improved in the future (e.g., coral-specific stress test strips) to assess reef health using inexpensive tools and freely available software.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuolun Meng
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Amanda Williams
- Microbial Biology Graduate Program, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Pinky Liau
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Timothy G Stephens
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Crawford Drury
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Kaneohe, HI, 96744, USA
| | - Eric N Chiles
- Metabolomics Shared Resource, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Xiaoyang Su
- Metabolomics Shared Resource, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, USA
| | - Mehdi Javanmard
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
| | - Debashish Bhattacharya
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.
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18
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Schlecker L, Page C, Matz M, Wright RM. Mechanisms and potential immune tradeoffs of accelerated coral growth induced by microfragmentation. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13158. [PMID: 35368334 PMCID: PMC8973463 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Microfragmentation is the act of cutting corals into small pieces (~1 cm2) to accelerate the growth rates of corals relative to growth rates observed when maintaining larger-sized fragments. This rapid tissue and skeletal expansion technique offers great potential for supporting reef restoration, yet the biological processes and tradeoffs involved in microfragmentation-mediated accelerated growth are not well understood. Here we compared growth rates across a range of successively smaller fragment sizes in multiple genets of reef-building corals, Orbicella faveolata and Montastraea cavernosa. Our results confirm prior findings that smaller initial sizes confer accelerated growth after four months of recovery in a raceway. O. faveolata transcript levels associated with growth rate include genes encoding carbonic anhydrase and glutamic acid-rich proteins, which have been previously implicated in coral biomineralization, as well as a number of unannotated transcripts that warrant further characterization. Innate immunity enzyme activity assays and gene expression results suggest a potential tradeoff between growth rate after microfragmentation and immune investment. Microfragmentation-based restoration practices have had great success on Caribbean reefs, despite widespread mortality among wild corals due to infectious diseases. Future studies should continue to examine potential immune tradeoffs throughout the microfragmentation recovery period that may affect growout survival and disease transmission after outplanting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mikhail Matz
- University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States
| | - Rachel M. Wright
- Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, United States
- University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States
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19
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Morgan MB, Ross J, Ellwanger J, Phrommala RM, Youngblood H, Qualley D, Williams J. Sea Anemones Responding to Sex Hormones, Oxybenzone, and Benzyl Butyl Phthalate: Transcriptional Profiling and in Silico Modelling Provide Clues to Decipher Endocrine Disruption in Cnidarians. Front Genet 2022; 12:793306. [PMID: 35087572 PMCID: PMC8787064 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.793306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine disruption is suspected in cnidarians, but questions remain how occurs. Steroid sex hormones are detected in corals and sea anemones even though these animals do not have estrogen receptors and their repertoire of steroidogenic enzymes appears to be incomplete. Pathways associated with sex hormone biosynthesis and sterol signaling are an understudied area in cnidarian biology. The objective of this study was to identify a suite of genes that can be linked to exposure of endocrine disruptors. Exaiptasia diaphana were exposed to nominal 20ppb concentrations of estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), cholesterol, oxybenzone (BP-3), or benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) for 4 h. Eleven genes of interest (GOIs) were chosen from a previously generated EST library. The GOIs are 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases type 14 (17β HSD14) and type 12 (17β HSD12), Niemann-Pick C type 2 (NPC2), Equistatin (EI), Complement component C3 (C3), Cathepsin L (CTSL), Patched domain-containing protein 3 (PTCH3), Smoothened (SMO), Desert Hedgehog (DHH), Zinc finger protein GLI2 (GLI2), and Vitellogenin (VTG). These GOIs were selected because of functional associations with steroid hormone biosynthesis; cholesterol binding/transport; immunity; phagocytosis; or Hedgehog signaling. Quantitative Real-Time PCR quantified expression of GOIs. In silico modelling utilized protein structures from Protein Data Bank as well as creating protein structures with SWISS-MODEL. Results show transcription of steroidogenic enzymes, and cholesterol binding/transport proteins have similar transcription profiles for E2, T, and cholesterol treatments, but different profiles when BP-3 or BBP is present. C3 expression can differentiate between exposures to BP-3 versus BBP as well as exposure to cholesterol versus sex hormones. In silico modelling revealed all ligands (E2, T, cholesterol, BBP, and BP-3) have favorable binding affinities with 17β HSD14, 17β HSD12, NPC2, SMO, and PTCH proteins. VTG expression was down-regulated in the sterol treatments but up-regulated in BP-3 and BBP treatments. In summary, these eleven GOIs collectively generate unique transcriptional profiles capable of discriminating between the five chemical exposures used in this investigation. This suite of GOIs are candidate biomarkers for detecting transcriptional changes in steroidogenesis, gametogenesis, sterol transport, and Hedgehog signaling. Detection of disruptions in these pathways offers new insight into endocrine disruption in cnidarians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B Morgan
- Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
| | - James Ross
- Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Joseph Ellwanger
- Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
| | | | - Hannah Youngblood
- Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States.,Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Dominic Qualley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
| | - Jacob Williams
- Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
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20
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Decreased Photosynthetic Efficiency in Response to Site Translocation and Elevated Temperature Is Mitigated with LPS Exposure in Porites astreoides Symbionts. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14030366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Coral reefs have been detrimentally impacted causing health issues due to elevated ocean temperatures as a result of increased greenhouse gases. Extreme temperatures have also exacerbated coral diseases in tropical reef environments. Numerous studies have outlined the impacts of thermal stress and disease on coral organisms, as well as understanding the influence of site-based characteristics on coral physiology. However, few have discussed the interaction of all three. Laboratory out-planting restoration projects have been of importance throughout impacted areas such as the Caribbean and southern Florida in order to increase coral cover in these areas. This study analyzes photosynthetic efficiency of Porites astreoides from the lower Florida Keys after a two-year reciprocal transplant study at inshore (Birthday reef) and offshore (Acer24 reef) sites to understand acclimation capacity of this species. Laboratory experiments subjected these colonies to one of three treatments: control conditions, increases in temperature, and increases in temperature plus exposure to an immune stimulant (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)) to determine their influence on photosynthetic efficiency and how stress events impact these measurements. In addition, this study is a continuation of previous studies from this group. Here, we aim to understand if these results are static or if an acclimation capacity could be found. Overall, we observed site-specific influences from the Acer24 reef site, which had significant decreases in photosynthetic efficiencies in 32 °C treatments compared to Birthday reef colonies. We suggest that high irradiance and lack of an annual recovery period from the Acer24 site exposes these colonies to significant photoinhibition. In addition, we observed significant increases in photosynthetic efficiencies from LPS exposure. We suggest host-derived antioxidants can mitigate the negative impacts of increased thermal stress. Further research is required to understand the full complexity of host immunity and symbiont photosynthetic interactions.
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21
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The Effects of Depth-Related Environmental Factors on Traits in Acropora cervicornis Raised in Nurseries. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14020212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Populations of Acropora cervicornis, one of the most important reef-building corals in the Caribbean, have been declining due to human activities and global climate change. This has prompted the development of strategies such as coral farms, aimed at improving the long-term viability of this coral across its geographical range. This study focuses on comprehending how seawater temperature (ST), and light levels (LL) affect the survival and growth of A. cervicornis fragments collected from three reefs in Culebra, Puerto Rico. These individuals were fragmented into three pieces of the similar sizes and placed in farms at 5, 8, and 12 m depth. The fragments, ST and LL were monitored for 11 months. Results show that fragments from shallow farms exhibit significantly higher mortalities when compared to the other two depths. Yet, growth at shallow farms was nearly 24% higher than at the other two depths. Corals grew fastest during winter, when temperature and LL were lowest, regardless of the water depth. Fragment mortality and growth origin were also influenced by reef origin. We conclude that under the current conditions, shallow farms may offer a slight advantage over deep ones provided the higher growth rate at shallow farms and the high fragment survival at all depths.
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22
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Traylor-Knowles N, Emery M. Analysis of Spatial Gene Expression at the Cellular Level in Stony Corals. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2450:359-371. [PMID: 35359318 PMCID: PMC9761507 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2172-1_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Scleractinians, or stony corals, are colonial animals that possess a high regenerative capacity and a highly diverse innate immune system. As such they present the opportunity to investigate the interconnection between regeneration and immunity in a colonial animal. Understanding the relationship between regeneration and immunity in stony corals is of further interest as it has major implications for coral reef health. One method for understanding the role of innate immunity in scleractinian regeneration is in situ hybridization using RNA probes. Here we describe a protocol for in situ hybridization in adult stony corals using a digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled RNA antisense probe which can be utilized to investigate the spatial expression of immune factors during regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki Traylor-Knowles
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
| | - Madison Emery
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
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Bollati E, Rosenberg Y, Simon-Blecher N, Tamir R, Levy O, Huang D. Untangling the molecular basis of coral response to sedimentation. Mol Ecol 2021; 31:884-901. [PMID: 34738686 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Urbanized coral reefs are often chronically affected by sedimentation and reduced light levels, yet many species of corals appear to be able to thrive under these highly disturbed conditions. Recently, these marginal ecosystems have gained attention as potential climate change refugia due to the shading effect of suspended sediment, as well as potential reservoirs for stress-tolerant species. However, little research exists on the impact of sedimentation on coral physiology, particularly at the molecular level. Here, we investigated the transcriptomic response to sediment stress in corals of the family Merulinidae from a chronically turbid reef (one genet each of Goniastrea pectinata and Mycedium elephantotus from Singapore) and a clear-water reef (multiple genets of G. pectinata from the Gulf of Aqaba/Eilat). In two ex-situ experiments, we exposed corals to either natural sediment or artificial sediment enriched with organic matter and used whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA sequencing) to quantify gene expression. Analysis revealed a shared basis for the coral transcriptomic response to sediment stress, which involves the expression of genes broadly related to energy metabolism and immune response. In particular, sediment exposure induced upregulation of anaerobic glycolysis and glyoxylate bypass enzymes, as well as genes involved in hydrogen sulphide metabolism and in pathogen pattern recognition. Our results point towards hypoxia as a probable driver of this transcriptomic response, providing a molecular basis to previous work that identified hypoxia as a primary cause of tissue necrosis in sediment-stressed corals. Potential metabolic and immunity trade-offs of corals living under chronic sedimentation should be considered in future studies on the ecology and conservation of turbid reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Bollati
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Biology, Marine Biology Section, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Yaeli Rosenberg
- Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Noa Simon-Blecher
- Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Raz Tamir
- School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat, Eilat, Israel
| | - Oren Levy
- Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat, Eilat, Israel
| | - Danwei Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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24
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Avila-Magaña V, Kamel B, DeSalvo M, Gómez-Campo K, Enríquez S, Kitano H, Rohlfs RV, Iglesias-Prieto R, Medina M. Elucidating gene expression adaptation of phylogenetically divergent coral holobionts under heat stress. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5731. [PMID: 34593802 PMCID: PMC8484447 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25950-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
As coral reefs struggle to survive under climate change, it is crucial to know whether they have the capacity to withstand changing conditions, particularly increasing seawater temperatures. Thermal tolerance requires the integrative response of the different components of the coral holobiont (coral host, algal photosymbiont, and associated microbiome). Here, using a controlled thermal stress experiment across three divergent Caribbean coral species, we attempt to dissect holobiont member metatranscriptome responses from coral taxa with different sensitivities to heat stress and use phylogenetic ANOVA to study the evolution of gene expression adaptation. We show that coral response to heat stress is a complex trait derived from multiple interactions among holobiont members. We identify host and photosymbiont genes that exhibit lineage-specific expression level adaptation and uncover potential roles for bacterial associates in supplementing the metabolic needs of the coral-photosymbiont duo during heat stress. Our results stress the importance of integrative and comparative approaches across a wide range of species to better understand coral survival under the predicted rise in sea surface temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viridiana Avila-Magaña
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Biology Department, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA USA ,grid.266190.a0000000096214564Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
| | - Bishoy Kamel
- grid.266832.b0000 0001 2188 8502Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM USA ,grid.184769.50000 0001 2231 4551Present Address: US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Michael DeSalvo
- grid.266096.d0000 0001 0049 1282School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, CA USA ,grid.418190.50000 0001 2187 0556Thermo Fisher Scientific, Carlsbad, CA USA
| | - Kelly Gómez-Campo
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Biology Department, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA USA
| | - Susana Enríquez
- grid.9486.30000 0001 2159 0001Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales Puerto Morelos, ICMyL, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cancún, Mexico
| | - Hiroaki Kitano
- grid.452864.9The Systems Biology Institute, Tokyo, Japan ,grid.250464.10000 0000 9805 2626Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Rori V. Rohlfs
- grid.263091.f0000000106792318Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Roberto Iglesias-Prieto
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Biology Department, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA USA
| | - Mónica Medina
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Biology Department, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA USA
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25
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Snyder GA, Eliachar S, Connelly MT, Talice S, Hadad U, Gershoni-Yahalom O, Browne WE, Palmer CV, Rosental B, Traylor-Knowles N. Functional Characterization of Hexacorallia Phagocytic Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 12:662803. [PMID: 34381444 PMCID: PMC8350327 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.662803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Phagocytosis is the cellular defense mechanism used to eliminate antigens derived from dysregulated or damaged cells, and microbial pathogens. Phagocytosis is therefore a pillar of innate immunity, whereby foreign particles are engulfed and degraded in lysolitic vesicles. In hexacorallians, phagocytic mechanisms are poorly understood, though putative anthozoan phagocytic cells (amoebocytes) have been identified histologically. We identify and characterize phagocytes from the coral Pocillopora damicornis and the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. Using fluorescence-activated cell sorting and microscopy, we show that distinct populations of phagocytic cells engulf bacteria, fungal antigens, and beads. In addition to pathogenic antigens, we show that phagocytic cells engulf self, damaged cells. We show that target antigens localize to low pH phagolysosomes, and that degradation is occurring within them. Inhibiting actin filament rearrangement interferes with efficient particle phagocytosis but does not affect small molecule pinocytosis. We also demonstrate that cellular markers for lysolitic vesicles and reactive oxygen species (ROS) correlate with hexacorallian phagocytes. These results establish a foundation for improving our understanding of hexacorallian immune cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace A Snyder
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Shir Eliachar
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Michael T Connelly
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Shani Talice
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Uzi Hadad
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Orly Gershoni-Yahalom
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - William E Browne
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Caroline V Palmer
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Benyamin Rosental
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Nikki Traylor-Knowles
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
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26
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Kaur G, Iyer LM, Burroughs AM, Aravind L. Bacterial death and TRADD-N domains help define novel apoptosis and immunity mechanisms shared by prokaryotes and metazoans. eLife 2021; 10:70394. [PMID: 34061031 PMCID: PMC8195603 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Several homologous domains are shared by eukaryotic immunity and programmed cell-death systems and poorly understood bacterial proteins. Recent studies show these to be components of a network of highly regulated systems connecting apoptotic processes to counter-invader immunity, in prokaryotes with a multicellular habit. However, the provenance of key adaptor domains, namely those of the Death-like and TRADD-N superfamilies, a quintessential feature of metazoan apoptotic systems, remained murky. Here, we use sensitive sequence analysis and comparative genomics methods to identify unambiguous bacterial homologs of the Death-like and TRADD-N superfamilies. We show the former to have arisen as part of a radiation of effector-associated α-helical adaptor domains that likely mediate homotypic interactions bringing together diverse effector and signaling domains in predicted bacterial apoptosis- and counter-invader systems. Similarly, we show that the TRADD-N domain defines a key, widespread signaling bridge that links effector deployment to invader-sensing in multicellular bacterial and metazoan counter-invader systems. TRADD-N domains are expanded in aggregating marine invertebrates and point to distinctive diversifying immune strategies probably directed both at RNA and retroviruses and cellular pathogens that might infect such communities. These TRADD-N and Death-like domains helped identify several new bacterial and metazoan counter-invader systems featuring underappreciated, common functional principles: the use of intracellular invader-sensing lectin-like (NPCBM and FGS), transcription elongation GreA/B-C, glycosyltransferase-4 family, inactive NTPase (serving as nucleic acid receptors), and invader-sensing GTPase switch domains. Finally, these findings point to the possibility of multicellular bacteria-stem metazoan symbiosis in the emergence of the immune/apoptotic systems of the latter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurmeet Kaur
- Computational Biology Branch, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Lakshminarayan M Iyer
- Computational Biology Branch, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - A Maxwell Burroughs
- Computational Biology Branch, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - L Aravind
- Computational Biology Branch, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
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27
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Levy S, Elek A, Grau-Bové X, Menéndez-Bravo S, Iglesias M, Tanay A, Mass T, Sebé-Pedrós A. A stony coral cell atlas illuminates the molecular and cellular basis of coral symbiosis, calcification, and immunity. Cell 2021; 184:2973-2987.e18. [PMID: 33945788 PMCID: PMC8162421 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Stony corals are colonial cnidarians that sustain the most biodiverse marine ecosystems on Earth: coral reefs. Despite their ecological importance, little is known about the cell types and molecular pathways that underpin the biology of reef-building corals. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we define over 40 cell types across the life cycle of Stylophora pistillata. We discover specialized immune cells, and we uncover the developmental gene expression dynamics of calcium-carbonate skeleton formation. By simultaneously measuring the transcriptomes of coral cells and the algae within them, we characterize the metabolic programs involved in symbiosis in both partners. We also trace the evolution of these coral cell specializations by phylogenetic integration of multiple cnidarian cell type atlases. Overall, this study reveals the molecular and cellular basis of stony coral biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shani Levy
- Department of Marine Biology, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel; Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Sdot Yam, Israel
| | - Anamaria Elek
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Grau-Bové
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Simón Menéndez-Bravo
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Iglesias
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amos Tanay
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics and Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tali Mass
- Department of Marine Biology, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel; Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Sdot Yam, Israel.
| | - Arnau Sebé-Pedrós
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
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28
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Brown T, Sonett D, Zaneveld JR, Padilla-Gamiño JL. Characterization of the microbiome and immune response in corals with chronic Montipora white syndrome. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:2591-2606. [PMID: 33763924 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Coral diseases have increased in frequency and intensity around the tropics worldwide. However, in many cases, little is known about their etiology. Montipora white syndrome (MWS) is a common disease affecting the coral Montipora capitata, a major reef builder in Hawai'i. Chronic Montipora white syndrome (cMWS) is a slow-moving form of the disease that affects M. capitata throughout the year. The effects of this chronic disease on coral immunology and microbiology are currently unknown. In this study, we use prophenoloxidase immune assays and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize the microbiome and immunological response associated with cMWS. Our results show that immunological and microbiological responses are highly localized. Relative to diseased samples, apparently healthy portions of cMWS corals differed in immune activity and in the relative abundance of microbial taxa. Coral tissues with cMWS showed decreased tyrosinase-type catecholase and tyrosinase-type cresolase activity and increased laccase-type activity. Catecholase and cresolase activity were negatively correlated across all tissue types with microbiome richness. The localized effect of cMWS on coral microbiology and immunology is probably an important reason for the slow progression of the disease. This local confinement may facilitate interventions that focus on localized treatments on tissue types. This study provides an important baseline to understand the interplay between the microbiome and immune system and the mechanisms used by corals to manage chronic microbial perturbations associated with white syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Brown
- School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Dylan Sonett
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Washington, Bothell, Washington, USA
| | - Jesse R Zaneveld
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Washington, Bothell, Washington, USA
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29
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Thome PE, Rivera-Ortega J, Rodríguez-Villalobos JC, Cerqueda-García D, Guzmán-Urieta EO, García-Maldonado JQ, Carabantes N, Jordán-Dahlgren E. Local dynamics of a white syndrome outbreak and changes in the microbial community associated with colonies of the scleractinian brain coral Pseudodiploria strigosa. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10695. [PMID: 33604172 PMCID: PMC7863780 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Reef corals in the Mexican Reef System have been severely affected by the emergence of a white syndrome that resembles both White Plague II and SCTLD descriptions. Meandroid scleractinian coral species are among the most severely affected. To gain insight into this affliction we conducted a broad study in the brain coral Pseudodiploria strigosa at a rear reef site in the NE Mexican Caribbean. We describe macro and microscopical signals of the disease, characterize the outbreak dynamics, the tissue histopathology, explore immunological responses in the individuals, and compare microbial assemblages associated with the surface mucus layer of healthy and unhealthy colonies. At the study site, the white syndrome outbreak on P. strigosa showed a high incidence rate in summer-fall and a low one in winter, as well as low survival expectation of diseased colonies at the end of the study. After 306 days of observation, out of 96 tracked colonies, eight remained apparently healthy and seven were diseased. No effective resistance to colony disease progression was observed once white syndrome signs developed. Tissue loss rate during the study varied among colonies (mean = 10.8 cm2, s.d. = 7.8 cm2) suggesting a complex relation between causal agents and colony resistance. The deterioration of tissues was evidenced from the basal to the surface body wall of polyps (up to 66% hypertrophy and liquefactive necrosis in unhealthy colonies), implying that microscopic alterations begin before macroscopic signals develop, suggesting this may be a systemic disease. We measured high levels of phenoloxidase (two orders of magnitude higher PO activity than P. strigosa affected by BBD) and antibacterial activity without significant reduction in unhealthy samples from the mucus layer, indicative of an enhanced immunological response. Results showed that opportunistic bacteria dominated damaged colonies, where six genera of the Bacteroidia class were found with significant changes in unhealthy colonies after DeSeq2 analysis. Nevertheless, histological observations did not support infection of the tissues. The opportunistic overload seems to be contained within the mucus layer but may be associated with the mortality of tissues in a yet unclear way. Future research should focus on experimental infections, the tracking of natural infections, and the immunocompetence of corals in the face of environmental pressures due to local, regional, and global impacts. If environmental deterioration is the primary cause of the continuing emergence and re-emergence of lethal coral diseases, as has been proposed by many authors, the only true option to effectively help preserve the coral reef biodiversity and services, is to restore the environmental quality of reef waters at the local scale and reduce greenhouse gases at the global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia E Thome
- Instituto de Ciencias Del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Jacqueline Rivera-Ortega
- Instituto de Ciencias Del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Jenny C Rodríguez-Villalobos
- Departamento de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.,Ecosistemas y Conservación, ProAzul Terrestre A.C., La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Daniel Cerqueda-García
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Unidad Mérida, Departamento de Recursos del Mar, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Edgar O Guzmán-Urieta
- Instituto de Ciencias Del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - José Q García-Maldonado
- CONACyT, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Unidad Mérida, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Natalia Carabantes
- Instituto de Ciencias Del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Eric Jordán-Dahlgren
- Instituto de Ciencias Del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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30
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Energy depletion and opportunistic microbial colonisation in white syndrome lesions from corals across the Indo-Pacific. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19990. [PMID: 33203914 PMCID: PMC7672225 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76792-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Corals are dependent upon lipids as energy reserves to mount a metabolic response to biotic and abiotic challenges. This study profiled lipids, fatty acids, and microbial communities of healthy and white syndrome (WS) diseased colonies of Acropora hyacinthus sampled from reefs in Western Australia, the Great Barrier Reef, and Palmyra Atoll. Total lipid levels varied significantly among locations, though a consistent stepwise decrease from healthy tissues from healthy colonies (HH) to healthy tissue on WS-diseased colonies (HD; i.e. preceding the lesion boundary) to diseased tissue on diseased colonies (DD; i.e. lesion front) was observed, demonstrating a reduction in energy reserves. Lipids in HH tissues were comprised of high energy lipid classes, while HD and DD tissues contained greater proportions of structural lipids. Bacterial profiling through 16S rRNA gene sequencing and histology showed no bacterial taxa linked to WS causation. However, the relative abundance of Rhodobacteraceae-affiliated sequences increased in DD tissues, suggesting opportunistic proliferation of these taxa. While the cause of WS remains inconclusive, this study demonstrates that the lipid profiles of HD tissues was more similar to DD tissues than to HH tissues, reflecting a colony-wide systemic effect and provides insight into the metabolic immune response of WS-infected Indo-Pacific corals.
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31
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Seneca F, Davtian D, Boyer L, Czerucka D. Gene expression kinetics of Exaiptasia pallida innate immune response to Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:768. [PMID: 33167855 PMCID: PMC7654579 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-07140-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent sequencing projects on early-diverging metazoans such as cnidarians, have unveiled a rich innate immunity gene repertoire; however, little is known about immunity gene regulation in the host's early response against marine bacterial pathogens over time. Here, we used RNA-seq on the sea anemone Exaiptasia pallida (Ep) strain CC7 as a model to depict the innate immune response during the onset of infection with the marine pathogenic bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) clinical strain O3:K6, and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) exposure. Pairwise and time series analyses identified the genes responsive to infection as well as the kinetics of innate immune genes over time. Comparisons between the responses to live Vp and purified LPS was then performed. RESULTS Gene expression and functional analyses detected hundreds to thousands of genes responsive to the Vp infection after 1, 3, 6 and 12 h, including a few shared with the response to LPS. Our results bring to light the first indications that non-canonical cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as NOD-like and RIG-I-like receptor homologs take part in the immune response of Ep. Over-expression of several members of the lectin-complement pathways in parallel with novel transmembrane and Ig containing ficolins (CniFLs) suggest an active defense against the pathogen. Although lacking typical Toll-like receptors (TLRs), Ep activates a TLR-like pathway including the up-regulation of MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB and AP-1 genes, which are not induced under LPS treatment and therefore suggest an alternative ligand-to-PRR trigger. Two cytokine-dependent pathways involving Tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFRs) and several other potential downstream signaling genes likely lead to inflammation and/or apoptosis. Finally, both the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways were strongly supported by over-expression of effector and executioner genes. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this pioneering study is first to follow the kinetics of the innate immune response in a cnidarian during the onset of infection with a bacterial pathogen. Overall, our findings reveal the involvement of both novel immune gene candidates such as NLRs, RLRs and CniFLs, and previously identified TLR-like and apoptotic pathways in anthozoan innate immunity with a large amount of transcript-level evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Seneca
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, 8 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Monaco, Monaco. .,LIA ROPSE, Laboratoire International Associé Université Côte d'Azur - Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Monaco, Monaco.
| | - David Davtian
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, 8 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Monaco, Monaco.,Present Address: Division of Population Health & Genetics, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, DD19SY, UK
| | - Laurent Boyer
- LIA ROPSE, Laboratoire International Associé Université Côte d'Azur - Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Monaco, Monaco.,Université Côte d'Azur, C3M Inserm, U1065, 06204, Nice Cedex 3, France
| | - Dorota Czerucka
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, 8 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Monaco, Monaco.,LIA ROPSE, Laboratoire International Associé Université Côte d'Azur - Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Monaco, Monaco
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Boilard A, Dubé CE, Gruet C, Mercière A, Hernandez-Agreda A, Derome N. Defining Coral Bleaching as a Microbial Dysbiosis within the Coral Holobiont. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111682. [PMID: 33138319 PMCID: PMC7692791 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral microbiomes are critical to holobiont health and functioning, but the stability of host–microbial interactions is fragile, easily shifting from eubiosis to dysbiosis. The heat-induced breakdown of the symbiosis between the host and its dinoflagellate algae (that is, “bleaching”), is one of the most devastating outcomes for reef ecosystems. Yet, bleaching tolerance has been observed in some coral species. This review provides an overview of the holobiont’s diversity, explores coral thermal tolerance in relation to their associated microorganisms, discusses the hypothesis of adaptive dysbiosis as a mechanism of environmental adaptation, mentions potential solutions to mitigate bleaching, and suggests new research avenues. More specifically, we define coral bleaching as the succession of three holobiont stages, where the microbiota can (i) maintain essential functions for holobiont homeostasis during stress and/or (ii) act as a buffer to mitigate bleaching by favoring the recruitment of thermally tolerant Symbiodiniaceae species (adaptive dysbiosis), and where (iii) environmental stressors exceed the buffering capacity of both microbial and dinoflagellate partners leading to coral death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Boilard
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.B.); (C.G.)
| | - Caroline E. Dubé
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.B.); (C.G.)
- California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA;
- Correspondence: (C.E.D.); (N.D.)
| | - Cécile Gruet
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.B.); (C.G.)
| | - Alexandre Mercière
- PSL Research University: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 66860 Perpignan CEDEX, France;
- Laboratoire d’Excellence “CORAIL”, 98729 Papetoai, Moorea, French Polynesia
| | | | - Nicolas Derome
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.B.); (C.G.)
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Correspondence: (C.E.D.); (N.D.)
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Shrestha S, Tung J, Grinshpon RD, Swartz P, Hamilton PT, Dimos B, Mydlarz L, Clark AC. Caspases from scleractinian coral show unique regulatory features. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:14578-14591. [PMID: 32788218 PMCID: PMC7586219 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral reefs are experiencing precipitous declines around the globe with coral diseases and temperature-induced bleaching being primary drivers of these declines. Regulation of apoptotic cell death is an important component in the coral stress response. Although cnidaria are known to contain complex apoptotic signaling pathways, similar to those in vertebrates, the mechanisms leading to cell death are largely unexplored. We identified and characterized two caspases each from Orbicella faveolata, a disease-sensitive reef-building coral, and Porites astreoides, a disease-resistant reef-building coral. The caspases are predicted homologs of the human executioner caspases-3 and -7, but OfCasp3a (Orbicella faveolata caspase-3a) and PaCasp7a (Porites astreoides caspase-7a), which we show to be DXXDases, contain an N-terminal caspase activation/recruitment domain (CARD) similar to human initiator/inflammatory caspases. OfCasp3b (Orbicella faveolata caspase-3b) and PaCasp3 (Porites astreoides caspase-3), which we show to be VXXDases, have short pro-domains, like human executioner caspases. Our biochemical analyses suggest a mechanism in coral which differs from that of humans, where the CARD-containing DXXDase is activated on death platforms but the protease does not directly activate the VXXDase. The first X-ray crystal structure of a coral caspase, of PaCasp7a determined at 1.57 Å resolution, reveals a conserved fold and an N-terminal peptide bound near the active site that may serve as a regulatory exosite. The binding pocket has been observed in initiator caspases of other species. These results suggest mechanisms for the evolution of substrate selection while maintaining common activation mechanisms of CARD-mediated dimerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Shrestha
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Jessica Tung
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Robert D Grinshpon
- Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Paul Swartz
- Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Paul T Hamilton
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Bradford Dimos
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Laura Mydlarz
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - A Clay Clark
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA.
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Young BD, Serrano XM, Rosales SM, Miller MW, Williams D, Traylor-Knowles N. Innate immune gene expression in Acropora palmata is consistent despite variance in yearly disease events. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228514. [PMID: 33091033 PMCID: PMC7580945 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral disease outbreaks are expected to increase in prevalence, frequency and severity due to climate change and other anthropogenic stressors. This is especially worrying for the Caribbean branching coral Acropora palmata which has already seen an 80% decrease in cover primarily due to disease. Despite the importance of this keystone species, there has yet to be a characterization of its transcriptomic response to disease exposure. In this study we provide the first transcriptomic analysis of 12 A. palmata genotypes and their symbiont Symbiodiniaceae exposed to disease in 2016 and 2017. Year was the primary driver of gene expression variance for A. palmata and the Symbiodiniaceae. We hypothesize that lower expression of ribosomal genes in the coral, and higher expression of transmembrane ion transport genes in the Symbiodiniaceae indicate that a compensation or dysbiosis may be occurring between host and symbiont. Disease response was the second driver of gene expression variance for A. palmata and included a core set of 422 genes that were significantly differentially expressed. Of these, 2 genes (a predicted cyclin-dependent kinase 11b and aspartate 1-decarboxylase) showed negative Log2 fold changes in corals showing transmission of disease, and positive Log2 fold changes in corals showing no transmission of disease, indicating that these may be important in disease resistance. Co-expression analysis identified two modules positively correlated to disease exposure, one enriched for lipid biosynthesis genes, and the other enriched in innate immune genes. The hub gene in the immune module was identified as D-amino acid oxidase, a gene implicated in phagocytosis and microbiome homeostasis. The role of D-amino acid oxidase in coral immunity has not been characterized but could be an important enzyme for responding to disease. Our results indicate that A. palmata mounts a core immune response to disease exposure despite differences in the disease type and virulence between 2016 and 2017. These identified genes may be important for future biomarker development in this Caribbean keystone species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin D. Young
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Xaymara M. Serrano
- Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Stephanie M. Rosales
- Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Margaret W. Miller
- Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service, Miami, FL, United States of America
- SECORE International, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Dana Williams
- Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Nikki Traylor-Knowles
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
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Kenkel CD, Mocellin VJL, Bay LK. Global gene expression patterns in Porites white patch syndrome: Disentangling symbiont loss from the thermal stress response in reef-building coral. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:3907-3920. [PMID: 32858771 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms resulting in the breakdown of the coral symbiosis once the process of bleaching has been initiated remain unclear. Distinguishing the process of symbiont loss from the thermal stress response may shed light on the cellular and molecular pathways involved in each process. This study examined physiological changes and global gene expression patterns associated with white patch syndrome (WPS) in Porites lobata, which manifests in localized bleaching independent of thermal stress. In addition, a meta-analysis of global gene expression studies in other corals and anemones was used to contrast differential regulation as a result of disease and thermal stress from patterns correlated with symbiotic state. Symbiont density, chlorophyll a content, holobiont productivity, instant calcification rate, and total host protein content were uniformly reduced in WPS relative to healthy tissue. While expression patterns associated with WPS were secondary to fixed effects of source colony, specific functional enrichments combined with a lack of immune regulation suggest that the viral infection putatively giving rise to this condition affects symbiont rather than host cells. Expression in response to WPS also clustered independently of patterns in white syndrome impacted A. hyacinthus, further supporting a distinct aetiology of this syndrome. Expression patterns in WPS-affected tissues were significantly correlated with prior studies that examined short-term thermal stress responses independent of symbiotic state, suggesting that the majority of expression changes reflect a nonspecific stress response. Across studies, the magnitude and direction of expression change among particular functional enrichments suggests unique responses to stressor duration and highlights distinct responses to bleaching in an anemone model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly D Kenkel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Line K Bay
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Qld, Australia
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Parisi MG, Parrinello D, Stabili L, Cammarata M. Cnidarian Immunity and the Repertoire of Defense Mechanisms in Anthozoans. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:E283. [PMID: 32932829 PMCID: PMC7563517 DOI: 10.3390/biology9090283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Anthozoa is the most specious class of the phylum Cnidaria that is phylogenetically basal within the Metazoa. It is an interesting group for studying the evolution of mutualisms and immunity, for despite their morphological simplicity, Anthozoans are unexpectedly immunologically complex, with large genomes and gene families similar to those of the Bilateria. Evidence indicates that the Anthozoan innate immune system is not only involved in the disruption of harmful microorganisms, but is also crucial in structuring tissue-associated microbial communities that are essential components of the cnidarian holobiont and useful to the animal's health for several functions including metabolism, immune defense, development, and behavior. Here, we report on the current state of the art of Anthozoan immunity. Like other invertebrates, Anthozoans possess immune mechanisms based on self/non-self-recognition. Although lacking adaptive immunity, they use a diverse repertoire of immune receptor signaling pathways (PRRs) to recognize a broad array of conserved microorganism-associated molecular patterns (MAMP). The intracellular signaling cascades lead to gene transcription up to endpoints of release of molecules that kill the pathogens, defend the self by maintaining homeostasis, and modulate the wound repair process. The cells play a fundamental role in immunity, as they display phagocytic activities and secrete mucus, which acts as a physicochemical barrier preventing or slowing down the proliferation of potential invaders. Finally, we describe the current state of knowledge of some immune effectors in Anthozoan species, including the potential role of toxins and the inflammatory response in the Mediterranean Anthozoan Anemonia viridis following injection of various foreign particles differing in type and dimensions, including pathogenetic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giovanna Parisi
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Daniela Parrinello
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Loredana Stabili
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Matteo Cammarata
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
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Cerullo AR, Lai TY, Allam B, Baer A, Barnes WJP, Barrientos Z, Deheyn DD, Fudge DS, Gould J, Harrington MJ, Holford M, Hung CS, Jain G, Mayer G, Medina M, Monge-Nájera J, Napolitano T, Espinosa EP, Schmidt S, Thompson EM, Braunschweig AB. Comparative Animal Mucomics: Inspiration for Functional Materials from Ubiquitous and Understudied Biopolymers. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:5377-5398. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio R. Cerullo
- The PhD Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
- The Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 85 St. Nicholas Terrace, New York, New York 10031, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Tsoi Ying Lai
- The Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 85 St. Nicholas Terrace, New York, New York 10031, United States
| | - Bassem Allam
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-5000, United States
| | - Alexander Baer
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - W. Jon P. Barnes
- Centre for Cell Engineering, Joseph Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, U.K
| | - Zaidett Barrientos
- Laboratorio de Ecología Urbana, Universidad Estatal a Distancia, Mercedes de Montes de Oca, San José 474-2050, Costa Rica
| | - Dimitri D. Deheyn
- Marine Biology Research Division-0202, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, UCSD, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Douglas S. Fudge
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, 1 University Drive, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - John Gould
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Matthew J. Harrington
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B8, Canada
| | - Mandë Holford
- The PhD Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, The American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York 10024, United States
- The PhD Program in Chemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
- The PhD Program in Biology, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
| | - Chia-Suei Hung
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Gaurav Jain
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, 1 University Drive, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - Georg Mayer
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Mónica Medina
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, 208 Mueller Lab, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Julian Monge-Nájera
- Laboratorio de Ecología Urbana, Universidad Estatal a Distancia, Mercedes de Montes de Oca, San José 474-2050, Costa Rica
| | - Tanya Napolitano
- The PhD Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Emmanuelle Pales Espinosa
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-5000, United States
| | - Stephan Schmidt
- Institute of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Eric M. Thompson
- Sars Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, Thormøhlensgt. 55, 5020 Bergen, Norway
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, N-5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Adam B. Braunschweig
- The PhD Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
- The Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 85 St. Nicholas Terrace, New York, New York 10031, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
- The PhD Program in Chemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
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Walters BM, Connelly MT, Young B, Traylor-Knowles N. The Complicated Evolutionary Diversification of the Mpeg-1/Perforin-2 Family in Cnidarians. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1690. [PMID: 32849589 PMCID: PMC7424014 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The invertebrate innate immune system is surprisingly complex, yet our knowledge is limited to a few select model systems. One understudied group is the phylum Cnidaria (corals, sea anemones, etc.). Cnidarians are the sister group to Bilateria and by studying their innate immunity repertoire, a better understanding of the ancestral state can be gained. Corals in particular have evolved a highly diverse innate immune system that can uncover evolutionarily basal functions of conserved genes and proteins. One rudimentary function of the innate immune system is defense against harmful bacteria using pore forming proteins. Macrophage expressed gene 1/Perforin-2 protein (Mpeg-1/P2) is a particularly important pore forming molecule as demonstrated by previous studies in humans and mice, and limited studies in non-bilaterians. However, in cnidarians, little is known about Mpeg-1/P2. In this perspective article, we will summarize the current state of knowledge of Mpeg-1/P2 in invertebrates, analyze identified Mpeg-1/P2 homologs in cnidarians, and demonstrate the evolutionary diversity of this gene family using phylogenetic analysis. We will also show that Mpeg-1 is upregulated in one species of stony coral in response to lipopolysaccharides and downregulated in another species of stony coral in response to white band disease. This data presents evidence that Mpeg-1/P2 is conserved in cnidarians and we hypothesize that it plays an important role in cnidarian innate immunity. We propose that future research focus on the function of Mpeg-1/P2 family in cnidarians to identify its primary role in innate immunity and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M. Walters
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Michael T. Connelly
- Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Benjamin Young
- Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Nikki Traylor-Knowles
- Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
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Coral Disease Causes, Consequences, and Risk within Coral Restoration. Trends Microbiol 2020; 28:793-807. [PMID: 32739101 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
As a result of increased reef degradation, restoration efforts are now being widely applied on coral reefs. However, outplanted coral survival in restoration zones varies substantially, and coral mortality can be a significant limitation to the success of restoration efforts. With reef restoration now occurring within, and adjacent to, nationally preserved and managed marine parks, the potential risks of mortality events and disease spread to adjacent marine populations need to be considered, particularly as these ecosystems continue to decline. We review the causes and consequences of coral mortality and disease outbreaks within the context of coral restoration, highlighting knowledge gaps in our understanding of the restored coral microbiome and discussing management practices for assessing coral disease. We identify the need for research efforts into monitoring and diagnostics of disease within coral restoration, as well as practices to mitigate and manage coral disease risks in restoration.
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Quigley KM, Bay LK, van Oppen MJH. Genome-wide SNP analysis reveals an increase in adaptive genetic variation through selective breeding of coral. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:2176-2188. [PMID: 32453867 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Marine heat waves are increasing in magnitude, duration, and frequency as a result of climate change and are the principal global driver of mortality in reef-building corals. Resilience-based genetic management may increase coral heat tolerance, but it is unclear how temperature responses are regulated at the genome level and thus how corals may adapt to warming naturally or through selective breeding. Here we combine phenotypic, pedigree, and genomic marker data from colonies sourced from a warm reef on the Great Barrier Reef reproductively crossed with conspecific colonies from a cooler reef to produce combinations of warm purebreds and warm-cool hybrid larvae and juveniles. Interpopulation breeding created significantly greater genetic diversity across the coral genome compared to breeding between populations and maintained diversity in key regions associated with heat tolerance and fitness. High-density genome-wide scans of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified alleles significantly associated with larval families reared at 27.5°C (87-2,224 loci), including loci putatively associated with proteins involved in responses to heat stress (cell membrane formation, metabolism, and immune responses). Underlying genetics of these families explained 43% of PCoA multilocus variation in survival, growth, and bleaching responses at 27.5°C and 31°C at the juvenile stage. Genetic marker contribution to total variation in fitness traits (narrow-sense heritability) was high for survival but not for growth and bleaching in juveniles, with heritability of these traits being higher at 31°C relative to 27.5°C. While based on only a limited number of crosses, the mechanistic understanding presented here demonstrates that allele frequencies are affected by one generation of selective breeding, key information for the assessments of genetic intervention feasibility and modelling of reef futures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate M Quigley
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Qld, Australia
| | - Line K Bay
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Qld, Australia
| | - Madeleine J H van Oppen
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Qld, Australia.,School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
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Stien D, Suzuki M, Rodrigues AMS, Yvin M, Clergeaud F, Thorel E, Lebaron P. A unique approach to monitor stress in coral exposed to emerging pollutants. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9601. [PMID: 32541793 PMCID: PMC7295770 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66117-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolomic profiling of the hexacoral Pocillopora damicornis exposed to solar filters revealed a metabolomic signature of stress in this coral. It was demonstrated that the concentration of the known steroid (3β, 5α, 8α) -5, 8-epidioxy- ergosta- 6, 24(28) - dien- 3- ol (14) increased in response to octocrylene (OC) and ethylhexyl salicylate (ES) at 50 µg/L. Based on the overall coral response, we hypothesize that steroid 14 mediates coral response to stress. OC also specifically altered mitochondrial function at this concentration and above, while ES triggered a stress/inflammatory response at 300 µg/L and above as witnessed by the significant increases in the concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids, lysophosphatidylcholines and lysophosphatidylethanolamines. Benzophenone-3 increased the concentration of compound 14 at 2 mg/L, while the concentration of stress marker remained unchanged upon exposition to the other solar filters tested. Also, our results seemed to refute earlier suggestions that platelet-activating factor is involved in the coral inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didier Stien
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Microbiennes, USR3579, Observatoire Océanologique, 66650, Banyuls-sur-mer, France.
| | - Marcelino Suzuki
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Microbiennes, USR3579, Observatoire Océanologique, 66650, Banyuls-sur-mer, France
| | - Alice M S Rodrigues
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Microbiennes, USR3579, Observatoire Océanologique, 66650, Banyuls-sur-mer, France
| | - Marion Yvin
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Microbiennes, USR3579, Observatoire Océanologique, 66650, Banyuls-sur-mer, France
| | - Fanny Clergeaud
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Microbiennes, USR3579, Observatoire Océanologique, 66650, Banyuls-sur-mer, France
| | - Evane Thorel
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Microbiennes, USR3579, Observatoire Océanologique, 66650, Banyuls-sur-mer, France
| | - Philippe Lebaron
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Microbiennes, USR3579, Observatoire Océanologique, 66650, Banyuls-sur-mer, France
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Zhao Y, Liu X, Xi B, Zhang Q, Li A, Zhang J. Transcriptomic analysis of oligochaete immune responses to myxosporeans infection: Branchiura sowerbyi infected with Myxobolus cultus. J Invertebr Pathol 2019; 169:107283. [PMID: 31765651 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2019.107283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The Myxozoa are endoparasites characterized by a two-host life cycle that typically involves invertebrates and vertebrates as definitive and intermediate hosts, respectively. However, little is known about invertebrate-myxosporean interactions, particularly about patterns of host immune defense. We used RNA-sequencing to identify genes that are possibly involved in the immune responses of the oligochaete Branchiura sowerbyi naturally infected with Myxobolus cultus. De novo assembly of the B. sowerbyi transcriptome yielded 119,031 unigenes, with an average length of 896 bp and an N50 length of 1754 bp. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed 4059 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between M. cultus-infected and uninfected B. sowerbyi groups, including 3802 upregulated genes and 257 downregulated genes. Among the B. sowerbyi immune factors implicated in the responses to M. cultus infection, DEGs related to lectins, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, phagocytosis, oxidative-antioxidative responses, proteases, and protease inhibitors were upregulated. The expression of some immune-related molecules such as calmodulin, heat shock proteins, antimicrobial peptides, lysenin, and serum amyoid A protein were also significantly upregulated. The expression patterns of 14 immune-related DEGs identified by RNA-seq were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. This study is the first attempt to characterize the B. sowerbyi transcriptome and identify immune-related molecules possibly associated with M. cultus infection. It is also the first report of invertebrate host-myxosporean interactions at the transcriptomic level. Our results will facilitate the elucidation of adaptive evolution mechanisms of myxosporean parasites in the definitive host and the genetic basis for differences in resistance of invertebrate hosts of different genotypes to a myxosporean species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanli Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Diseases Control, Ministry of Agriculture and State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xinhua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Diseases Control, Ministry of Agriculture and State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bingwen Xi
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 214081 Wuxi, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Diseases Control, Ministry of Agriculture and State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Aihua Li
- Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Diseases Control, Ministry of Agriculture and State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jinyong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Diseases Control, Ministry of Agriculture and State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Transcriptional characterisation of the Exaiptasia pallida pedal disc. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:581. [PMID: 31299887 PMCID: PMC6626399 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5917-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biological adhesion (bioadhesion), enables organisms to attach to surfaces as well as to a range of other targets. Bioadhesion evolved numerous times independently and is ubiquitous throughout the kingdoms of life. To date, investigations have focussed on various taxa of animals, plants and bacteria, but the fundamental processes underlying bioadhesion and the degree of conservation in different biological systems remain poorly understood. This study had two aims: 1) To characterise tissue-specific gene regulation in the pedal disc of the model cnidarian Exaiptasia pallida, and 2) to elucidate putative genes involved in pedal disc adhesion. RESULTS Five hundred and forty-seven genes were differentially expressed in the pedal disc compared to the rest of the animal. Four hundred and twenty-seven genes were significantly upregulated and 120 genes were significantly downregulated. Forty-one condensed gene ontology terms and 19 protein superfamily classifications were enriched in the pedal disc. Eight condensed gene ontology terms and 11 protein superfamily classifications were depleted. Enriched superfamilies were consistent with classifications identified previously as important for the bioadhesion of unrelated marine invertebrates. A host of genes involved in regulation of extracellular matrix generation and degradation were identified, as well as others related to development and immunity. Ab initio prediction identified 173 upregulated genes that putatively code for extracellularly secreted proteins. CONCLUSION The analytical workflow facilitated identification of genes putatively involved in adhesion, immunity, defence and development of the E. pallida pedal disc. When defence, immunity and development-related genes were identified, those remaining corresponded most closely to formation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), implicating ECM in the adhesion of anemones to surfaces. This study therefore provides a valuable high-throughput resource for the bioadhesion community and lays a foundation for further targeted research to elucidate bioadhesion in the Cnidaria.
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Roesel CL, Vollmer SV. Differential gene expression analysis of symbiotic and aposymbiotic Exaiptasia anemones under immune challenge with Vibrio coralliilyticus. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:8279-8293. [PMID: 31380089 PMCID: PMC6662555 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthozoans are a class of Cnidarians that includes scleractinian corals, anemones, and their relatives. Despite a global rise in disease epizootics impacting scleractinian corals, little is known about the immune response of this key group of invertebrates. To better characterize the anthozoan immune response, we used the model anemone Exaiptasia pallida to explore the genetic links between the anthozoan-algal symbioses and immunity in a two-factor RNA-Seq experiment using both symbiotic and aposymbiotic (menthol-bleached) Exaiptasia pallida exposed to the bacterial pathogen Vibrio coralliilyticus. Multivariate and univariate analyses of Exaiptasia gene expression demonstrated that exposure to live Vibrio coralliilyticus had strong and significant impacts on transcriptome-wide gene expression for both symbiotic and aposymbiotic anemones, but we did not observe strong interactions between symbiotic state and Vibrio exposure. There were 4,164 significantly differentially expressed (DE) genes for Vibrio exposure, 1,114 DE genes for aposymbiosis, and 472 DE genes for the additive combinations of Vibrio and aposymbiosis. KEGG enrichment analyses identified 11 pathways-involved in immunity (5), transport and catabolism (4), and cell growth and death (2)-that were enriched due to both Vibrio and/or aposymbiosis. Immune pathways showing strongest differential expression included complement, coagulation, nucleotide-binding, and oligomerization domain (NOD), and Toll for Vibrio exposure and coagulation and apoptosis for aposymbiosis.
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Brennan JJ, Gilmore TD. Evolutionary Origins of Toll-like Receptor Signaling. Mol Biol Evol 2019; 35:1576-1587. [PMID: 29590394 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msy050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are transmembrane pattern recognition receptors that are best known for their roles in innate immunity for the detection of and defense against microbial pathogens. However, TLRs also have roles in many nonimmune processes, most notably development. TLRs direct both immune and developmental programs by activation of downstream signaling pathways, often by activation of the NF-κB pathway. There are two primary TLR subtypes: 1) TLRs with multiple cysteine clusters in their ectodomain (mccTLRs) and 2) TLRs with a single cysteine cluster in their ectodomain (sccTLRs). For some time, it has been known that TLRs and the biological processes that they control are conserved in organisms from insects to mammals. However, genome and transcriptome sequencing has revealed that many basal metazoans also have TLRs and downstream NF-κB signaling components. In this review, we discuss what is known about the structure, biological function, and downstream signaling pathways of TLRs found in phyla from Porifera through Annelida. From these analyses, we hypothesize that mccTLRs emerged in the phylum Cnidaria, that sccTLRs evolved in the phylum Mollusca, and that TLRs have dual immune and developmental biological functions in organisms as ancient as cnidarians.
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Weis VM. Cell Biology of Coral Symbiosis: Foundational Study Can Inform Solutions to the Coral Reef Crisis. Integr Comp Biol 2019; 59:845-855. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icz067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Coral reefs are faced with almost complete destruction by the end of the century due to global warming unless humanity can cap global temperature rise. There is now a race to develop a diverse set of solutions to save coral reefs. In this perspective, a case is made for understanding the cell biology of coral–dinoflagellate symbiosis to help inform development of solutions for saving reefs. Laboratory model systems for the study of coral symbiosis, including the sea anemone Exaiptasia pallida, are featured as valuable tools in the fight to save corals. The roles of host innate immunity and inter-partner nutrient dynamics in the onset, ongoing maintenance, and dysregulation of symbiosis are reviewed and discussed. Key innate immune genes and pathways, such as glycan–lectin interactions, the sphingosine rheostat, and the cytokine transforming growth factor beta are shown to modulate a host immune response in the symbiotic state. An upset in the homeostatic inorganic nutrient balance during heat stress and high exogenous nutrient availability is credited with driving the partnership toward dysregulation and coral bleaching. Specific examples are given where knowledge of the cell biology of symbiosis is informing the development of solutions, including studies showing clear limitations in the value of partner switching and acclimatization protocols. Finally, emphasis is placed on rapid advancement of knowledge to try to meet the urgent need for solutions. This includes real-time open communication with colleagues on successes and failures, sharing of resources and information, and working together in the spirit of a collective mission to save coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia M Weis
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
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Abstract
Genomic sequence data for non-model organisms are increasingly available requiring the development of efficient and reproducible workflows. Here, we develop the first genomic resources and reproducible workflows for two threatened members of the reef-building coral genus Acropora We generated genomic sequence data from multiple samples of the Caribbean A. cervicornis (staghorn coral) and A. palmata (elkhorn coral), and predicted millions of nucleotide variants among these two species and the Pacific A. digitifera A subset of predicted nucleotide variants were verified using restriction length polymorphism assays and proved useful in distinguishing the two Caribbean acroporids and the hybrid they form ("A. prolifera"). Nucleotide variants are freely available from the Galaxy server (usegalaxy.org), and can be analyzed there with computational tools and stored workflows that require only an internet browser. We describe these data and some of the analysis tools, concentrating on fixed differences between A. cervicornis and A. palmata In particular, we found that fixed amino acid differences between these two species were enriched in proteins associated with development, cellular stress response, and the host's interactions with associated microbes, for instance in the ABC transporters and superoxide dismutase. Identified candidate genes may underlie functional differences in how these threatened species respond to changing environments. Users can expand the presented analyses easily by adding genomic data from additional species, as they become available.
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Cunning R, Bay RA, Gillette P, Baker AC, Traylor-Knowles N. Comparative analysis of the Pocillopora damicornis genome highlights role of immune system in coral evolution. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16134. [PMID: 30382153 PMCID: PMC6208414 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34459-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Comparative analysis of the expanding genomic resources for scleractinian corals may provide insights into the evolution of these organisms, with implications for their continued persistence under global climate change. Here, we sequenced and annotated the genome of Pocillopora damicornis, one of the most abundant and widespread corals in the world. We compared this genome, based on protein-coding gene orthology, with other publicly available coral genomes (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Scleractinia), as well as genomes from other anthozoan groups (Actiniaria, Corallimorpharia), and two basal metazoan outgroup phlya (Porifera, Ctenophora). We found that 46.6% of P. damicornis genes had orthologs in all other scleractinians, defining a coral ‘core’ genome enriched in basic housekeeping functions. Of these core genes, 3.7% were unique to scleractinians and were enriched in immune functionality, suggesting an important role of the immune system in coral evolution. Genes occurring only in P. damicornis were enriched in cellular signaling and stress response pathways, and we found similar immune-related gene family expansions in each coral species, indicating that immune system diversification may be a prominent feature of scleractinian coral evolution at multiple taxonomic levels. Diversification of the immune gene repertoire may underlie scleractinian adaptations to symbiosis, pathogen interactions, and environmental stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Cunning
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL, 33149, USA. .,Daniel P. Haerther Center for Conservation and Research, John G. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60605, USA.
| | - R A Bay
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - P Gillette
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL, 33149, USA
| | - A C Baker
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL, 33149, USA
| | - N Traylor-Knowles
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL, 33149, USA.
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Zárate-Potes A, Ocampo ID, Cadavid LF. The putative immune recognition repertoire of the model cnidarian Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus is large and diverse. Gene 2018; 684:104-117. [PMID: 30393111 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.10.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Immune recognition of molecular patterns from microorganisms or self-altered cells activate effector responses that neutralize and eliminate these potentially harmful agents. In virtually every metazoan group the process is carried out by pattern recognition receptors, typically constituted by immunoglobulin (Ig), leucine rich repeat (LRR), and/or lectin domains. In order to get insights into the ancestral immune recognition repertoire of animals, we have sequenced the transcriptome of bacterially challenged colonies of the model cnidarian Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus using the Illumina platform. Over 116,000 assembled contigs were annotated by sequence similarity, domain architecture, and functionally. From these, a subset of 315 unique transcripts was predicted as the putative immune recognition repertoire of H. symbiolongicarpus. Interestingly, canonical Toll-like receptors (TLR) were not predicted, nor any transmembrane protein with the Toll/interleukine-1 receptor (TIR) domain. Yet, a variety of predicted proteins with transmembrane domains associated with LRR ectodomains were identified, as well as homologs of the key transduction factor NF-kB, and its associated regulatory proteins. This also has been documented in Hydra, and suggests that recognition and signaling initiation has been decoupled in the TLR system of hydrozoans. In contrast, both canonical and non-canonical NOD-like receptors were identified in H. symbiolongicarpus, showing a higher diversity than the TLR system and perhaps a wider functional landscape. The collection of Ig-like containing putative immune recognition molecules was diverse, and included at least 26 unique membrane-bound predicted proteins and 88 cytoplasmic/secreted predicted molecules. In addition, 25 and 5 transcripts encoding the Ig-like containing allorecognition determinants ALR1 and ALR2, respectively, were identified. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses suggested the presence of various transcriptionally active alr loci, and the action of recombination-based mechanisms diversifying them. Transcripts encoding at least six lectin families with putative roles in immune recognition were found, including 19 unique C-type lectins and 21 unique rhamnose-binding lectins. Other predicted immune recognition receptors included scavenger receptors from three families, lipopolysaccharide-binding proteins, cell-adhesion molecules and thioester-bond containing proteins. This analysis demonstrated that the putative immune recognition repertoire of H. symbiolongicarpus is large and diverse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Zárate-Potes
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Cr. 30 # 45-08, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Iván D Ocampo
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Cr. 30 # 45-08, Bogotá, Colombia; Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Calle 5 # 62-00, Cali, Colombia
| | - Luis F Cadavid
- Instituto of Genética, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Cr. 30 # 45-08, Bogotá, Colombia.
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