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Bartels N, Matthews JL, Lawson CA, Possell M, Hughes DJ, Raina JB, Suggett DJ. Paired metabolomics and volatilomics provides insight into transient high light stress response mechanisms of the coral Montipora mollis. Metabolomics 2024; 20:66. [PMID: 38886248 PMCID: PMC11182861 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-024-02136-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The coral holobiont is underpinned by complex metabolic exchanges between different symbiotic partners, which are impacted by environmental stressors. The chemical diversity of the compounds produced by the holobiont is high and includes primary and secondary metabolites, as well as volatiles. However, metabolites and volatiles have only been characterised in isolation so far. Here, we applied a paired metabolomic-volatilomic approach to characterise holistically the chemical response of the holobiont under stress. Montipora mollis fragments were subjected to high-light stress (8-fold higher than the controls) for 30 min. Photosystem II (PSII) photochemical efficiency values were 7-fold higher in control versus treatment corals immediately following high-light exposure, but returned to pre-stress levels after 30 min of recovery. Under high-light stress, we identified an increase in carbohydrates (> 5-fold increase in arabinose and fructose) and saturated fatty acids (7-fold increase in myristic and oleic acid), together with a decrease in fatty acid derivatives in both metabolites and volatiles (e.g., 80% decrease in oleamide and nonanal), and other antioxidants (~ 85% decrease in sorbitol and galactitol). These changes suggest short-term light stress induces oxidative stress. Correlation analysis between volatiles and metabolites identified positive links between sorbitol, galactitol, six other metabolites and 11 volatiles, with four of these compounds previously identified as antioxidants. This suggests that these 19 compounds may be related and share similar functions. Taken together, our findings demonstrate how paired metabolomics-volatilomics may illuminate broader metabolic shifts occurring under stress and identify linkages between uncharacterised compounds to putatively determine their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Bartels
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia.
| | - Jennifer L Matthews
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Caitlin A Lawson
- Heron Island Research Station, Faculty of Science, University of Queensland, Gladstone, 4680, Australia
| | - Malcolm Possell
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David J Hughes
- National Sea Simulator, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Jean-Baptiste Raina
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - David J Suggett
- KAUST Reefscape Restoration Initiative (KRRI) and Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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2
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Huang S, Luo L, Wen B, Liu X, Yu K, Zhang M. Metabolic signatures of two scleractinian corals from the northern South China sea in response to extreme high temperature events. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 198:106490. [PMID: 38636276 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106490] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Coral bleaching events are becoming increasingly common worldwide, causing widespread coral mortality. However, not all colonies within the same coral taxa show sensitivity to bleaching events, and the current understanding of the metabolic mechanisms underlying thermal bleaching in corals remains limited. We used untargeted metabolomics to analyze the biochemical processes involved in the survival of two bleaching phenotypes of the common corals Pavona decussata and Acropora pruinosa, during a severe bleaching event in the northern South China Sea in 2020. During thermal bleaching, P. decussata and A. pruinosa significantly accumulated energy products such as succinate and EPA, antioxidants and inflammatory markers, and reduced energy storage substances like glutamate and thymidine. KEGG analysis revealed enrichment of energy production pathways such as ABC transporters, nucleotide metabolism and lipid metabolism, suggesting the occurrence of oxidative stress and energy metabolism disorders in bleached corals. Notably, heat stress exerted distinct effects on metabolic pathways in the two coral species, e.g., P. decussata activating carbohydrate metabolism pathways like glycolysis and the TCA cycle, along with amino acid metabolism pathways, whereas A. pruinosa significantly altered the content of multiple small peptides affected amino acid metabolism. Furthermore, the osmoregulatory potential of corals correlates with their ability to survive in heat-stress environments in the wild. This study provides valuable insights into the metabolic mechanisms linked to thermal tolerance in reef-building corals, contributes to the understanding of corals' adaptive potential to heat stress induced by global warming and lays the foundation for developing targeted conservation strategies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Huang
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Li Luo
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Beihua Wen
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Xurui Liu
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Kefu Yu
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China.
| | - Man Zhang
- Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Center of China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
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3
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Strand EL, Wong KH, Farraj A, Gray S, McMenamin A, Putnam HM. Coral species-specific loss and physiological legacy effects are elicited by an extended marine heatwave. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246812. [PMID: 38774956 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246812] [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: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Marine heatwaves are increasing in frequency and intensity, with potentially catastrophic consequences for marine ecosystems such as coral reefs. An extended heatwave and recovery time-series that incorporates multiple stressors and is environmentally realistic can provide enhanced predictive capacity for performance under climate change conditions. We exposed common reef-building corals in Hawai'i, Montipora capitata and Pocillopora acuta, to a 2-month period of high temperature and high PCO2 conditions or ambient conditions in a factorial design, followed by 2 months of ambient conditions. High temperature, rather than high PCO2, drove multivariate physiology shifts through time in both species, including decreases in respiration rates and endosymbiont densities. Pocillopora acuta exhibited more significantly negatively altered physiology, and substantially higher bleaching and mortality than M. capitata. The sensitivity of P. acuta appears to be driven by higher baseline rates of photosynthesis paired with lower host antioxidant capacity, creating an increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. Thermal tolerance of M. capitata may be partly due to harboring a mixture of Cladocopium and Durusdinium spp., whereas P. acuta was dominated by other distinct Cladocopium spp. Only M. capitata survived the experiment, but physiological state in heatwave-exposed M. capitata remained significantly diverged at the end of recovery relative to individuals that experienced ambient conditions. In future climate scenarios, particularly marine heatwaves, our results indicate a species-specific loss of corals that is driven by baseline host and symbiont physiological differences as well as Symbiodiniaceae community compositions, with the surviving species experiencing physiological legacies that are likely to influence future stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Strand
- Department of Biology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
- Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, Gloucester, MA 01930, USA
| | - Kevin H Wong
- Department of Biology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, FL 33149, USA
| | - Alexa Farraj
- Department of Biology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Sierra Gray
- Department of Biology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada, V8P 5C2
| | - Ana McMenamin
- Department of Biology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Hollie M Putnam
- Department of Biology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
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4
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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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5
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Gregorin C, Di Vito M, Roveta C, Pulido Mantas T, Gridelli S, Domenichelli F, Cilenti L, Vega Fernández T, Puce S, Musco L. Reduction of small-prey capture rate and collective predation in the bleached sea anemone Exaiptasiadiaphana. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 196:106435. [PMID: 38467089 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106435] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Cnidarians may dominate benthic communities, as in the case of coral reefs that foster biodiversity and provide important ecosystem services. Polyps may feed by predating mesozooplantkon and large motile prey, but many species further obtain autotrophic nutrients from photosymbiosis. Anthropogenic disturbance, such as the rise of seawater temperature and turbidity, can lead to the loss of symbionts, causing bleaching. Prolonged periods of bleaching can induce mortality events over vast areas. Heterotrophy may allow bleached cnidarians to survive for long periods of time. We tested the reinforcement of heterotrophic feeding of bleached polyps of Exaiptasia diaphana fed with both small zooplantkon and large prey, in order to evaluate if heterotrophy allows this species to compensate the reduction of autotrophy. Conversely to expected, heterotrophy was higher in unbleached polyps (+54% mesozooplankton prey and +11% large prey). The increase of heterotrophic intake may not be always used as a strategy to compensate autotrophic depletion in bleached polyps. Such a resilience strategy might be more species-specific than expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Gregorin
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy; Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Marica Di Vito
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Camilla Roveta
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Torcuato Pulido Mantas
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Stefano Gridelli
- Cattolica Aquarium, Piazzale Delle Nazioni 1/A, 47841 Cattolica, Italy
| | | | - Lucrezia Cilenti
- National Research Council -National Research Council, Institute of Sciences of Food Production (CNR-ISPA), Via Michele Protano, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - Tomás Vega Fernández
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Stefania Puce
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Luigi Musco
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Salento University, Via Lecce - Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina, 61 90133 Palermo, Italy.
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6
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Dingemanse NJ, Guse A. Linking cell biology and ecology to understand coral symbiosis evolution. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002593. [PMID: 38603520 PMCID: PMC11008794 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the evolution of coral endosymbiosis requires a predictive framework that integrates life-history theory and ecology with cell biology. The time has come to bridge disciplines and use a model systems approach to achieve this aim.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annika Guse
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Munich, Germany
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7
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Zhou Y, Li Q, Zhang Q, Yuan M, Zhu X, Li Y, Li Q, Downs CA, Huang D, Chou LM, Zhao H. Environmental Concentrations of Herbicide Prometryn Render Stress-Tolerant Corals Susceptible to Ocean Warming. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:4545-4557. [PMID: 38386019 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Global warming has caused the degradation of coral reefs around the world. While stress-tolerant corals have demonstrated the ability to acclimatize to ocean warming, it remains unclear whether they can sustain their thermal resilience when superimposed with other coastal environmental stressors. We report the combined impacts of a photosystem II (PSII) herbicide, prometryn, and ocean warming on the stress-tolerant coral Galaxea fascicularis through physiological and omics analyses. The results demonstrate that the heat-stress-induced inhibition of photosynthetic efficiency in G. fascicularis is exacerbated in the presence of prometryn. Transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses indicate that the prometryn exposure may overwhelm the photosystem repair mechanism in stress-tolerant corals, thereby compromising their capacity for thermal acclimation. Moreover, prometryn might amplify the adverse effects of heat stress on key energy and nutrient metabolism pathways and induce a stronger response to oxidative stress in stress-tolerant corals. The findings indicate that the presence of prometryn at environmentally relevant concentrations would render corals more susceptible to heat stress and exacerbate the breakdown of coral Symbiodiniaceae symbiosis. The present study provides valuable insights into the necessity of prioritizing PSII herbicide pollution reduction in coral reef protection efforts while mitigating the effects of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration of Hainan Province & Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Environment and Ecology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Qiuli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration of Hainan Province & Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Environment and Ecology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Quan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Meile Yuan
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration of Hainan Province & Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Environment and Ecology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Xiaoshan Zhu
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration of Hainan Province & Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Environment and Ecology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Yuanchao Li
- Hainan Academy of Ocean and Fisheries Sciences, Haikou 571126, China
| | - Qipei Li
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration of Hainan Province & Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Environment and Ecology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Craig A Downs
- Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, P.O. Box 92, Clifford, Virginia 24533, United States
| | - Danwei Huang
- Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117377, Singapore
- Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119227, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
| | - Loke-Ming Chou
- Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119227, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
| | - Hongwei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration of Hainan Province & Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Environment and Ecology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
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8
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Jobe A, Vijayan R. Orphan G protein-coupled receptors: the ongoing search for a home. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1349097. [PMID: 38495099 PMCID: PMC10941346 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1349097] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) make up the largest receptor superfamily, accounting for 4% of protein-coding genes. Despite the prevalence of such transmembrane receptors, a significant number remain orphans, lacking identified endogenous ligands. Since their conception, the reverse pharmacology approach has been used to characterize such receptors. However, the multifaceted and nuanced nature of GPCR signaling poses a great challenge to their pharmacological elucidation. Considering their therapeutic relevance, the search for native orphan GPCR ligands continues. Despite limited structural input in terms of 3D crystallized structures, with advances in machine-learning approaches, there has been great progress with respect to accurate ligand prediction. Though such an approach proves valuable given that ligand scarcity is the greatest hurdle to orphan GPCR deorphanization, the future pairings of the remaining orphan GPCRs may not necessarily take a one-size-fits-all approach but should be more comprehensive in accounting for numerous nuanced possibilities to cover the full spectrum of GPCR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amie Jobe
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ranjit Vijayan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- The Big Data Analytics Center, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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9
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Sun F, Yang H, Zhang X, Tan F, Wang G, Shi Q. Metagenomic and metabolomic analysis of the effect of bleaching on unsaturated fatty acid synthesis pathways in coral symbionts. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169487. [PMID: 38142991 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169487] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) are known to play a vital role in regulating stress resistance and metabolism in corals. Nevertheless, a comprehensive understanding of the microbial and functional composition of the UFA synthesis pathway (UFASP) remains lacking. This study employed metagenome and metabolome to investigate the microbial community, function, and metabolic response of UFASP in reef-building corals inhabiting the Nansha Islands. Our findings revealed significantly higher diversity for the UFASP microbe in bleached corals compared to unbleached corals. Furthermore, principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) and taxonomy assessments exhibited notable distinctions in the microbe between the two coral states. Notably, the dominant microorganisms involved in UFASP were Dinophyceae, Sordariomycetes, Ulvophyceae, and Chlorophyceae. Bleaching resulted in a considerable increase in fungal abundance within coral symbionts. A total of 12 KEGG Orthology (KO) were identified in UFASP, with PCoA analysis indicating significant differences in their abundance between bleached and unbleached corals. UFASP's beta-Oxidation module exhibited reduced abundance in bleached corals. Contribution analysis highlighted the participation of Symbiodiniaceae, Ascomycota, Chlorophyta, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria in UFASP. Notably, Symbiodiniaceae and Ascomycota were the major contributors to two UFASP modules, with the latter displaying greater involvement in bleached corals. Furthermore, significant differences in n3 and n6-family metabolites were observed between bleached and unbleached corals. Notably, bleaching induced a reduction in metabolites of Symbiodiniaceae, while an increase in the multiple UFAs abundance was detected in bleached corals. These findings suggest that bleaching-induced alterations coral symbionts composition directly impact the functionality of UFASP, ultimately affecting the corals' capacity to adapt to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Daya Bay Marine Biology Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China; Sanya Institute of Ocean Eco-Environmental Engineering, Sanya, China
| | - Hongqiang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Nansha Marine Ecological and Environmental Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sansha, China; Sanya Institute of Ocean Eco-Environmental Engineering, Sanya, China.
| | - Xiyang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Nansha Marine Ecological and Environmental Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sansha, China; Sanya Institute of Ocean Eco-Environmental Engineering, Sanya, China
| | - Fei Tan
- Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Nansha Marine Ecological and Environmental Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sansha, China; Sanya Institute of Ocean Eco-Environmental Engineering, Sanya, China
| | - Guan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Nansha Marine Ecological and Environmental Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sansha, China; Sanya Institute of Ocean Eco-Environmental Engineering, Sanya, China
| | - Qi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Nansha Marine Ecological and Environmental Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sansha, China; Sanya Institute of Ocean Eco-Environmental Engineering, Sanya, China
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10
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Matthews JL, Ueland M, Bartels N, Lawson CA, Lockwood TE, Wu Y, Camp EF. Multi-Chemical Omics Analysis of the Symbiodiniaceae Durusdinium trenchii under Heat Stress. Microorganisms 2024; 12:317. [PMID: 38399721 PMCID: PMC10893086 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The urgency of responding to climate change for corals necessitates the exploration of innovative methods to swiftly enhance our understanding of crucial processes. In this study, we employ an integrated chemical omics approach, combining elementomics, metabolomics, and volatilomics methodologies to unravel the biochemical pathways associated with the thermal response of the coral symbiont, Symbiodiniaceae Durusdinium trenchii. We outline the complimentary sampling approaches and discuss the standardised data corrections used to allow data integration and comparability. Our findings highlight the efficacy of individual methods in discerning differences in the biochemical response of D. trenchii under both control and stress-inducing temperatures. However, a deeper insight emerges when these methods are integrated, offering a more comprehensive understanding, particularly regarding oxidative stress pathways. Employing correlation network analysis enhanced the interpretation of volatile data, shedding light on the potential metabolic origins of volatiles with undescribed functions and presenting promising candidates for further exploration. Elementomics proves to be less straightforward to integrate, likely due to no net change in elements but rather elements being repurposed across compounds. The independent and integrated data from this study informs future omic profiling studies and recommends candidates for targeted research beyond Symbiodiniaceae biology. This study highlights the pivotal role of omic integration in advancing our knowledge, addressing critical gaps, and guiding future research directions in the context of climate change and coral reef preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Matthews
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Maiken Ueland
- Centre for Forensic Sciences, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
- Hyphenated Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Natasha Bartels
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Caitlin A. Lawson
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW 2258, Australia
| | - Thomas E. Lockwood
- Hyphenated Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Yida Wu
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Emma F. Camp
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
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11
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Kaszecki E, Palberg D, Grant M, Griffin S, Dhanjal C, Capperauld M, Emery RJN, Saville BJ. Euglena mutabilis exists in a FAB consortium with microbes that enhance cadmium tolerance. Int Microbiol 2024:10.1007/s10123-023-00474-7. [PMID: 38167969 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-023-00474-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Synthetic algal-fungal and algal-bacterial cultures have been investigated as a means to enhance the technological applications of the algae. This inclusion of other microbes has enhanced growth and improved stress tolerance of the algal culture. The goal of the current study was to investigate natural microbial consortia to gain an understanding of the occurrence and benefits of these associations in nature. The photosynthetic protist Euglena mutabilis is often found in association with other microbes in acidic environments with high heavy metal (HM) concentrations. This may suggest that microbial interactions are essential for the protist's ability to tolerate these extreme environments. Our study assessed the Cd tolerance of a natural fungal-algal-bacterial (FAB) association whereby the algae is E. mutabilis. RESULTS This study provides the first assessment of antibiotic and antimycotic agents on an E. mutabilis culture. The results indicate that antibiotic and antimycotic applications significantly decreased the viability of E. mutabilis cells when they were also exposed to Cd. Similar antibiotic treatments of E. gracilis cultures had variable or non-significant impacts on Cd tolerance. E. gracilis also recovered better after pre-treatment with antibiotics and Cd than did E. mutabilis. The recoveries were assessed by heterotrophic growth without antibiotics or Cd. In contrast, both Euglena species displayed increased chlorophyll production upon Cd exposure. PacBio full-length amplicon sequencing and targeted Sanger sequencing identified the microbial species present in the E. mutabilis culture to be the fungus Talaromyces sp. and the bacterium Acidiphilium acidophilum. CONCLUSION This study uncovers a possible fungal, algal, and bacterial relationship, what we refer to as a FAB consortium. The members of this consortium interact to enhance the response to Cd exposure. This results in a E. mutabilis culture that has a higher tolerance to Cd than the axenic E. gracilis. The description of this interaction provides a basis for explore the benefits of natural interactions. This will provide knowledge and direction for use when creating or maintaining FAB interactions for biotechnological purposes, including bioremediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Kaszecki
- Environmental and Life Science Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Palberg
- Environmental and Life Science Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Mikaella Grant
- Environmental and Life Science Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah Griffin
- Forensic Science Department, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Chetan Dhanjal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - R J Neil Emery
- Environmental and Life Science Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Barry J Saville
- Environmental and Life Science Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada.
- Forensic Science Department, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada.
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12
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Jacobovitz MR, Hambleton EA, Guse A. Unlocking the Complex Cell Biology of Coral-Dinoflagellate Symbiosis: A Model Systems Approach. Annu Rev Genet 2023; 57:411-434. [PMID: 37722685 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-072320-125436] [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] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Symbiotic interactions occur in all domains of life, providing organisms with resources to adapt to new habitats. A prime example is the endosymbiosis between corals and photosynthetic dinoflagellates. Eukaryotic dinoflagellate symbionts reside inside coral cells and transfer essential nutrients to their hosts, driving the productivity of the most biodiverse marine ecosystem. Recent advances in molecular and genomic characterization have revealed symbiosis-specific genes and mechanisms shared among symbiotic cnidarians. In this review, we focus on the cellular and molecular processes that underpin the interaction between symbiont and host. We discuss symbiont acquisition via phagocytosis, modulation of host innate immunity, symbiont integration into host cell metabolism, and nutrient exchange as a fundamental aspect of stable symbiotic associations. We emphasize the importance of using model systems to dissect the cellular complexity of endosymbiosis, which ultimately serves as the basis for understanding its ecology and capacity to adapt in the face of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie R Jacobovitz
- Cell Biology and Biophysics, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Elizabeth A Hambleton
- Division of Microbial Ecology, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria;
| | - Annika Guse
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Munich, Germany;
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13
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Cui G, Mi J, Moret A, Menzies J, Zhong H, Li A, Hung SH, Al-Babili S, Aranda M. A carbon-nitrogen negative feedback loop underlies the repeated evolution of cnidarian-Symbiodiniaceae symbioses. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6949. [PMID: 37914686 PMCID: PMC10620218 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42582-y] [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: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Symbiotic associations with Symbiodiniaceae have evolved independently across a diverse range of cnidarian taxa including reef-building corals, sea anemones, and jellyfish, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying their regulation and repeated evolution are still elusive. Here, we show that despite their independent evolution, cnidarian hosts use the same carbon-nitrogen negative feedback loop to control symbiont proliferation. Symbiont-derived photosynthates are used to assimilate nitrogenous waste via glutamine synthetase-glutamate synthase-mediated amino acid biosynthesis in a carbon-dependent manner, which regulates the availability of nitrogen to the symbionts. Using nutrient supplementation experiments, we show that the provision of additional carbohydrates significantly reduces symbiont density while ammonium promotes symbiont proliferation. High-resolution metabolic analysis confirmed that all hosts co-incorporated glucose-derived 13C and ammonium-derived 15N via glutamine synthetase-glutamate synthase-mediated amino acid biosynthesis. Our results reveal a general carbon-nitrogen negative feedback loop underlying these symbioses and provide a parsimonious explanation for their repeated evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxin Cui
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Red Sea Research Center, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Jianing Mi
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, the BioActives Lab, Center for Desert Agriculture, Thuwal, 23955- 6900, Saudi Arabia
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Alessandro Moret
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Red Sea Research Center, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jessica Menzies
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Red Sea Research Center, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Huawen Zhong
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Red Sea Research Center, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Angus Li
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Red Sea Research Center, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shiou-Han Hung
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Red Sea Research Center, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salim Al-Babili
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, the BioActives Lab, Center for Desert Agriculture, Thuwal, 23955- 6900, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, the Plant Science Program, Thuwal, 23955- 6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manuel Aranda
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Red Sea Research Center, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
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14
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Matthews JL, Khalil A, Siboni N, Bougoure J, Guagliardo P, Kuzhiumparambil U, DeMaere M, Le Reun NM, Seymour JR, Suggett DJ, Raina JB. Coral endosymbiont growth is enhanced by metabolic interactions with bacteria. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6864. [PMID: 37891154 PMCID: PMC10611727 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42663-y] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria are key contributors to microalgae resource acquisition, competitive performance, and functional diversity, but their potential metabolic interactions with coral microalgal endosymbionts (Symbiodiniaceae) have been largely overlooked. Here, we show that altering the bacterial composition of two widespread Symbiodiniaceae species, during their free-living stage, results in a significant shift in their cellular metabolism. Indeed, the abundance of monosaccharides and the key phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) were correlated with the presence of specific bacteria, including members of the Labrenzia (Roseibium) and Marinobacter genera. Single-cell stable isotope tracking revealed that these two bacterial genera are involved in reciprocal exchanges of carbon and nitrogen with Symbiodiniaceae. We identified the provision of IAA by Labrenzia and Marinobacter, and this metabolite caused a significant growth enhancement of Symbiodiniaceae. By unravelling these interkingdom interactions, our work demonstrates how specific bacterial associates fundamentally govern Symbiodiniaceae fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Matthews
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Abeeha Khalil
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Nachshon Siboni
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Jeremy Bougoure
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Paul Guagliardo
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | | | - Matthew DeMaere
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Nine M Le Reun
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Justin R Seymour
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - David J Suggett
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
- KAUST Reefscape Restoration Initiative (KRRI) and Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jean-Baptiste Raina
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
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15
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Wang C, Zheng X, Kvitt H, Sheng H, Sun D, Niu G, Tchernov D, Shi T. Lineage-specific symbionts mediate differential coral responses to thermal stress. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:211. [PMID: 37752514 PMCID: PMC10521517 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01653-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ocean warming is a leading cause of increasing episodes of coral bleaching, the dissociation between coral hosts and their dinoflagellate algal symbionts in the family Symbiodiniaceae. While the diversity and flexibility of Symbiodiniaceae is presumably responsible for variations in coral response to physical stressors such as elevated temperature, there is little data directly comparing physiological performance that accounts for symbiont identity associated with the same coral host species. Here, using Pocillopora damicornis harboring genotypically distinct Symbiodiniaceae strains, we examined the physiological responses of the coral holobiont and the dynamics of symbiont community change under thermal stress in a laboratory-controlled experiment. RESULTS We found that P. damicornis dominated with symbionts of metahaplotype D1-D4-D6 in the genus Durusdinium (i.e., PdD holobiont) was more robust to thermal stress than its counterpart with symbionts of metahaplotype C42-C1-C1b-C1c in the genus Cladocopium (i.e., PdC holobiont). Under ambient temperature, however, the thermally sensitive Cladocopium spp. exhibited higher photosynthetic efficiency and translocated more fixed carbon to the host, likely facilitating faster coral growth and calcification. Moreover, we observed a thermally induced increase in Durusdinium proportion in the PdC holobiont; however, this "symbiont shuffling" in the background was overwhelmed by the overall Cladocopium dominance, which coincided with faster coral bleaching and reduced calcification. CONCLUSIONS These findings support that lineage-specific symbiont dominance is a driver of distinct coral responses to thermal stress. In addition, we found that "symbiont shuffling" may begin with stress-forced, subtle changes in the rare biosphere to eventually trade off growth for increased resilience. Furthermore, the flexibility in corals' association with thermally tolerant symbiont lineages to adapt or acclimatize to future warming oceans should be viewed with conservative optimism as the current rate of environmental changes may outpace the evolutionary capabilities of corals. Video Abstract.
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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
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, 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.
| | - Hagit Kvitt
- Marine Biology Department, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, 31905, Haifa, Israel
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Center for Mariculture, 88112, Eilat, Israel
| | - Huaxia Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Danye Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Gaofeng Niu
- Marine Genomics and Biotechnology Program, Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Dan Tchernov
- Marine Biology Department, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, 31905, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Tuo Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
- Marine Genomics and Biotechnology Program, Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangzhou, 510000, China.
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16
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Chan WY, Rudd D, van Oppen MJ. Spatial metabolomics for symbiotic marine invertebrates. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202301900. [PMID: 37202120 PMCID: PMC10200813 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202301900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial symbionts frequently localize within specific body structures or cell types of their multicellular hosts. This spatiotemporal niche is critical to host health, nutrient exchange, and fitness. Measuring host-microbe metabolite exchange has conventionally relied on tissue homogenates, eliminating dimensionality and dampening analytical sensitivity. We have developed a mass spectrometry imaging workflow for a soft- and hard-bodied cnidarian animal capable of revealing the host and symbiont metabolome in situ, without the need for a priori isotopic labelling or skeleton decalcification. The mass spectrometry imaging method provides critical functional insights that cannot be gleaned from bulk tissue analyses or other presently available spatial methods. We show that cnidarian hosts may regulate microalgal symbiont acquisition and rejection through specific ceramides distributed throughout the tissue lining the gastrovascular cavity. The distribution pattern of betaine lipids showed that once resident, symbionts primarily reside in light-exposed tentacles to generate photosynthate. Spatial patterns of these metabolites also revealed that symbiont identity can drive host metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing Yan Chan
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia
| | - David Rudd
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Clayton, Australia
| | - Madeleine Jh van Oppen
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia
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17
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Wuerz M, Lawson CA, Oakley CA, Possell M, Wilkinson SP, Grossman AR, Weis VM, Suggett DJ, Davy SK. Symbiont Identity Impacts the Microbiome and Volatilome of a Model Cnidarian-Dinoflagellate Symbiosis. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1014. [PMID: 37508443 PMCID: PMC10376011 DOI: 10.3390/biology12071014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The symbiosis between cnidarians and dinoflagellates underpins the success of reef-building corals in otherwise nutrient-poor habitats. Alterations to symbiotic state can perturb metabolic homeostasis and thus alter the release of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). While BVOCs can play important roles in metabolic regulation and signalling, how the symbiotic state affects BVOC output remains unexplored. We therefore characterised the suite of BVOCs that comprise the volatilome of the sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana ('Aiptasia') when aposymbiotic and in symbiosis with either its native dinoflagellate symbiont Breviolum minutum or the non-native symbiont Durusdinium trenchii. In parallel, the bacterial community structure in these different symbiotic states was fully characterised to resolve the holobiont microbiome. Based on rRNA analyses, 147 unique amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were observed across symbiotic states. Furthermore, the microbiomes were distinct across the different symbiotic states: bacteria in the family Vibrionaceae were the most abundant in aposymbiotic anemones; those in the family Crocinitomicaceae were the most abundant in anemones symbiotic with D. trenchii; and anemones symbiotic with B. minutum had the highest proportion of low-abundance ASVs. Across these different holobionts, 142 BVOCs were detected and classified into 17 groups based on their chemical structure, with BVOCs containing multiple functional groups being the most abundant. Isoprene was detected in higher abundance when anemones hosted their native symbiont, and dimethyl sulphide was detected in higher abundance in the volatilome of both Aiptasia-Symbiodiniaceae combinations relative to aposymbiotic anemones. The volatilomes of aposymbiotic anemones and anemones symbiotic with B. minutum were distinct, while the volatilome of anemones symbiotic with D. trenchii overlapped both of the others. Collectively, our results are consistent with previous reports that D. trenchii produces a metabolically sub-optimal symbiosis with Aiptasia, and add to our understanding of how symbiotic cnidarians, including corals, may respond to climate change should they acquire novel dinoflagellate partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie Wuerz
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Caitlin A Lawson
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Clinton A Oakley
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Malcolm Possell
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | | | - Arthur R Grossman
- Carnegie Institution for Science, Department of Plant Biology, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Virginia M Weis
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - David J Suggett
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
- KAUST Reefscape Restoration Initiative (KRRI) and Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Simon K Davy
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
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18
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Reich HG, Camp EF, Roger LM, Putnam HM. The trace metal economy of the coral holobiont: supplies, demands and exchanges. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:623-642. [PMID: 36897260 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The juxtaposition of highly productive coral reef ecosystems in oligotrophic waters has spurred substantial interest and progress in our understanding of macronutrient uptake, exchange, and recycling among coral holobiont partners (host coral, dinoflagellate endosymbiont, endolithic algae, fungi, viruses, bacterial communities). By contrast, the contribution of trace metals to the physiological performance of the coral holobiont and, in turn, the functional ecology of reef-building corals remains unclear. The coral holobiont's trace metal economy is a network of supply, demand, and exchanges upheld by cross-kingdom symbiotic partnerships. Each partner has unique trace metal requirements that are central to their biochemical functions and the metabolic stability of the holobiont. Organismal homeostasis and the exchanges among partners determine the ability of the coral holobiont to adjust to fluctuating trace metal supplies in heterogeneous reef environments. This review details the requirements for trace metals in core biological processes and describes how metal exchanges among holobiont partners are key to sustaining complex nutritional symbioses in oligotrophic environments. Specifically, we discuss how trace metals contribute to partner compatibility, ability to cope with stress, and thereby to organismal fitness and distribution. Beyond holobiont trace metal cycling, we outline how the dynamic nature of the availability of environmental trace metal supplies can be influenced by a variability of abiotic factors (e.g. temperature, light, pH, etc.). Climate change will have profound consequences on the availability of trace metals and further intensify the myriad stressors that influence coral survival. Lastly, we suggest future research directions necessary for understanding the impacts of trace metals on the coral holobiont symbioses spanning subcellular to organismal levels, which will inform nutrient cycling in coral ecosystems more broadly. Collectively, this cross-scale elucidation of the role of trace metals for the coral holobiont will allow us to improve forecasts of future coral reef function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah G Reich
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, 120 Flagg Road, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
| | - Emma F Camp
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Liza M Roger
- Chemical & Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, 601 W. Main Street, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA
| | - Hollie M Putnam
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, 120 Flagg Road, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
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19
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Weevil Carbohydrate Intake Triggers Endosymbiont Proliferation: A Trade-Off between Host Benefit and Endosymbiont Burden. mBio 2023; 14:e0333322. [PMID: 36779765 PMCID: PMC10127669 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03333-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Nutritional symbioses between insects and intracellular bacteria (endosymbionts) are a major force of adaptation, allowing animals to colonize nutrient-poor ecological niches. Many beetles feeding on tyrosine-poor substrates rely on a surplus of aromatic amino acids produced by bacterial endosymbionts. This surplus of aromatic amino acids is crucial for the biosynthesis of a thick exoskeleton, the cuticle, which is made of a matrix of chitin with proteins and pigments built from tyrosine-derived molecules, providing an important defensive barrier against biotic and abiotic stress. Other endosymbiont-related advantages for beetles include faster development and improved fecundity. The association between Sitophilus oryzae and the Sodalis pierantonius endosymbiont represents a unique case study among beetles: endosymbionts undergo an exponential proliferation in young adults concomitant with the cuticle tanning, and then they are fully eliminated. While endosymbiont clearance, as well as total endosymbiont titer, are host-controlled processes, the mechanism triggering endosymbiont exponential proliferation remains poorly understood. Here, we show that endosymbiont exponential proliferation relies on host carbohydrate intake, unlike the total endosymbiont titer or the endosymbiont clearance, which are under host genetic control. Remarkably, insect fecundity was preserved, and the cuticle tanning was achieved, even when endosymbiont exponential proliferation was experimentally blocked, except in the context of a severely unbalanced diet. Moreover, a high endosymbiont titer coupled with nutrient shortage dramatically impacted host survival, revealing possible environment-dependent disadvantages for the host, likely due to the high energy cost of exponentially proliferating endosymbionts. IMPORTANCE Beetles thriving on tyrosine-poor diet sources often develop mutualistic associations with endosymbionts able to synthesize aromatic amino acids. This surplus of aromatic amino acids is used to reinforce the insect's protective cuticle. An exceptional feature of the Sitophilus oryzae/Sodalis pierantonius interaction is the exponential increase in endosymbiotic titer observed in young adult insects, in concomitance with cuticle biosynthesis. Here, we show that host carbohydrate intake triggers endosymbiont exponential proliferation, even in conditions that lead to the detriment of the host survival. In addition, when hosts thrive on a balanced diet, endosymbiont proliferation is dispensable for several host fitness traits. The endosymbiont exponential proliferation is therefore dependent on the nutritional status of the host, and its consequences on host cuticle biosynthesis and survival depend on food quality and availability.
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20
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Haydon TD, Matthews JL, Seymour JR, Raina JB, Seymour JE, Chartrand K, Camp EF, Suggett DJ. Metabolomic signatures of corals thriving across extreme reef habitats reveal strategies of heat stress tolerance. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20221877. [PMID: 36750192 PMCID: PMC9904954 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic stressors continue to escalate worldwide, driving unprecedented declines in reef environmental conditions and coral health. One approach to better understand how corals can function in the future is to examine coral populations that thrive within present day naturally extreme habitats. We applied untargeted metabolomics (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)) to contrast metabolite profiles of Pocillopora acuta colonies from hot, acidic and deoxygenated mangrove environments versus those from adjacent reefs. Under ambient temperatures, P. acuta predominantly associated with endosymbionts of the genera Cladocopium (reef) or Durusdinium (mangrove), exhibiting elevated metabolism in mangrove through energy-generating and biosynthesis pathways compared to reef populations. Under transient heat stress, P. acuta endosymbiont associations were unchanged. Reef corals bleached and exhibited extensive shifts in symbiont metabolic profiles (whereas host metabolite profiles were unchanged). By contrast, mangrove populations did not bleach and solely the host metabolite profiles were altered, including cellular responses in inter-partner signalling, antioxidant capacity and energy storage. Thus mangrove P. acuta populations resist periodically high-temperature exposure via association with thermally tolerant endosymbionts coupled with host metabolic plasticity. Our findings highlight specific metabolites that may be biomarkers of heat tolerance, providing novel insight into adaptive coral resilience to elevated temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trent D. Haydon
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Faculty of Science, Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Jennifer L. Matthews
- Faculty of Science, Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Justin R. Seymour
- Faculty of Science, Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Jean-Baptiste Raina
- Faculty of Science, Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Jamie E. Seymour
- Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Kathryn Chartrand
- Centre for tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Emma F. Camp
- Faculty of Science, Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - David J. Suggett
- Faculty of Science, Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia
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21
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Sun F, Yang H, Zhang X, Shi Q. Metabolic and metatranscriptional characteristics of corals bleaching induced by the most severe marine heatwaves in the South China Sea. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:160019. [PMID: 36356778 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Coral bleaching significantly affects the function and health of coral reef ecosystems; however, the mechanisms underlying metabolism and transcription in corals remain unclear. In this study, untargeted metabolomics and metatranscriptomic analyses were performed to analyze the differences between unbleached and bleached Pocillopora corals during the most severe marine heatwaves. Difference analysis showed that bleached corals had significant metabolomic characteristics compared with those in unbleached corals. These differences were significant (p < 0.05) according to partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis revealed that the metabolites were significantly enriched in numerous pathways in bleached or unbleached corals, such as steroid hormone biosynthesis, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, and pyrimidine metabolism. Bleaching greatly affects coral reproduction as well as the tolerance of coral symbionts to heat stress. In metatranscriptomic analysis, we observed large gene expression differences between unbleached and bleached corals. Three Gene Ontology directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) were constructed to show the significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Many biological and molecular processes were significantly enriched between bleached corals to unbleached corals, such as metabolic processes, lipid metabolic processes, oxidation-reduction processes, single-organism metabolic processes, and protein metabolic processes. Metabolome and metatranscriptome analyses showed that bleaching caused substantial physiological damage to corals. This study provides insight into the metabolic and transcriptional changes that occur in corals during bleaching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China; Daya Bay Marine Biology Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China; Sanya Institute of Ocean Eco-Environmental Engineering, Sanya, China
| | - Hongqiang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China; Nansha Marine Ecological and Environmental Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sansha, China; Sanya Institute of Ocean Eco-Environmental Engineering, Sanya, China.
| | - Xiyang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China; Sanya Institute of Ocean Eco-Environmental Engineering, Sanya, China
| | - Qi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China; Sanya Institute of Ocean Eco-Environmental Engineering, Sanya, China
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22
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Ashley IA, Kitchen SA, Gorman LM, Grossman AR, Oakley CA, Suggett DJ, Weis VM, Rosset SL, Davy SK. Genomic conservation and putative downstream functionality of the phosphatidylinositol signalling pathway in the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1094255. [PMID: 36777026 PMCID: PMC9909359 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1094255] [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: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The mutualistic cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis underpins the evolutionary success of stony corals and the persistence of coral reefs. However, a molecular understanding of the signalling events that lead to the successful establishment and maintenance of this symbiosis remains unresolved. For example, the phosphatidylinositol (PI) signalling pathway has been implicated during the establishment of multiple mutualistic and parasitic interactions across the kingdoms of life, yet its role within the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis remains unexplored. Here, we aimed to confirm the presence and assess the specific enzymatic composition of the PI signalling pathway across cnidaria and dinoflagellates by compiling 21 symbiotic anthozoan (corals and sea anemones) and 28 symbiotic dinoflagellate (Symbiodiniaceae) transcriptomic and genomic datasets and querying genes related to this pathway. Presence or absence of PI-kinase and PI-phosphatase orthologs were also compared between a broad sampling of taxonomically related symbiotic and non-symbiotic species. Across the symbiotic anthozoans analysed, there was a complete and highly conserved PI pathway, analogous to the pathway found in model eukaryotes. The Symbiodiniaceae pathway showed similarities to its sister taxon, the Apicomplexa, with the absence of PI 4-phosphatases. However, conversely to Apicomplexa, there was also an expansion of homologs present in the PI5-phosphatase and PI5-kinase groups, with unique Symbiodiniaceae proteins identified that are unknown from non-symbiotic unicellular organisms. Additionally, we aimed to unravel the putative functionalities of the PI signalling pathway in this symbiosis by analysing phosphoinositide (PIP)-binding proteins. Analysis of phosphoinositide (PIP)-binding proteins showed that, on average, 2.23 and 1.29% of the total assemblies of anthozoan and Symbiodiniaceae, respectively, have the potential to bind to PIPs. Enrichment of Gene Ontology (GO) terms associated with predicted PIP-binding proteins within each taxon revealed a broad range of functions, including compelling links to processes putatively involved in symbiosis regulation. This analysis establishes a baseline for current understanding of the PI pathway across anthozoans and Symbiodiniaceae, and thus a framework to target future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Immy A. Ashley
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Sheila A. Kitchen
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Lucy M. Gorman
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Arthur R. Grossman
- Department of Plant Biology, The Carnegie Institution, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Clinton A. Oakley
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - David J. Suggett
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, Australia
| | - Virginia M. Weis
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Sabrina L. Rosset
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Simon K. Davy
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand,*Correspondence: Simon K. Davy,
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23
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Mashini AG, Oakley CA, Beepat SS, Peng L, Grossman AR, Weis VM, Davy SK. The Influence of Symbiosis on the Proteome of the Exaiptasia Endosymbiont Breviolum minutum. Microorganisms 2023; 11:292. [PMID: 36838257 PMCID: PMC9967746 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020292] [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: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The cellular mechanisms responsible for the regulation of nutrient exchange, immune response, and symbiont population growth in the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis are poorly resolved. Here, we employed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to elucidate proteomic changes associated with symbiosis in Breviolum minutum, a native symbiont of the sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana ('Aiptasia'). We manipulated nutrients available to the algae in culture and to the holobiont in hospite (i.e., in symbiosis) and then monitored the impacts of our treatments on host-endosymbiont interactions. Both the symbiotic and nutritional states had significant impacts on the B. minutum proteome. B. minutum in hospite showed an increased abundance of proteins involved in phosphoinositol metabolism (e.g., glycerophosphoinositol permease 1 and phosphatidylinositol phosphatase) relative to the free-living alga, potentially reflecting inter-partner signalling that promotes the stability of the symbiosis. Proteins potentially involved in concentrating and fixing inorganic carbon (e.g., carbonic anhydrase, V-type ATPase) and in the assimilation of nitrogen (e.g., glutamine synthase) were more abundant in free-living B. minutum than in hospite, possibly due to host-facilitated access to inorganic carbon and nitrogen limitation by the host when in hospite. Photosystem proteins increased in abundance at high nutrient levels irrespective of the symbiotic state, as did proteins involved in antioxidant defences (e.g., superoxide dismutase, glutathione s-transferase). Proteins involved in iron metabolism were also affected by the nutritional state, with an increased iron demand and uptake under low nutrient treatments. These results detail the changes in symbiont physiology in response to the host microenvironment and nutrient availability and indicate potential symbiont-driven mechanisms that regulate the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clinton A. Oakley
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Sandeep S. Beepat
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Lifeng Peng
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiscovery, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Arthur R. Grossman
- Department of Plant Biology, The Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Virginia M. Weis
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Simon K. Davy
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
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24
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Nalley EM, Tuttle LJ, Conklin EE, Barkman AL, Wulstein DM, Schmidbauer MC, Donahue MJ. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the direct effects of nutrients on corals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 856:159093. [PMID: 36183766 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Chronic exposure of coral reefs to elevated nutrient conditions can modify the performance of the coral holobiont and shift the competitive interactions of reef organisms. Many studies have now quantified the links between nutrients and coral performance, but few have translated these studies to directly address coastal water quality standards. To address this management need, we conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed studies, public reports, and gray literature that examined the impacts of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN: nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium) and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP: phosphate) on scleractinian corals. The systematic review resulted in 47 studies with comparable data on coral holobiont responses to nutrients: symbiont density, chlorophyll a (chl-a) concentration, photosynthesis, photosynthetic efficiency, growth, calcification, adult survival, juvenile survival, and fertilization. Mixed-effects meta-regression meta-analyses were used to determine the magnitude of the positive or negative effects of DIN and DIP on coral responses. Zooxanthellae density (DIN & DIP), chl-a concentration (DIN), photosynthetic rate (DIN), and growth (DIP) all exhibited positive responses to nutrient addition; maximum quantum yield (DIP), growth (DIN), larval survival (DIN), and fertilization (DIN) exhibited negative responses. In lieu of developing specific thresholds for the management of nutrients as a stressor on coral reefs, we highlight important inflection points in the magnitude and direction of the effects of inorganic nutrients and identify trends among coral responses. The responses of corals to nutrients are complex, warranting conservative guidelines for elevated nutrient concentrations on coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen M Nalley
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA.
| | - Lillian J Tuttle
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA; U.S. Geological Survey, Hawai'i Cooperative Fishery Unit, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
| | - Emily E Conklin
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA
| | - Alexandria L Barkman
- Kewalo Marine Laboratory, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 41 Ahui Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Devynn M Wulstein
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA
| | - Madeline C Schmidbauer
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA
| | - Megan J Donahue
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA
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25
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Davies SW, Gamache MH, Howe-Kerr LI, Kriefall NG, Baker AC, Banaszak AT, Bay LK, Bellantuono AJ, Bhattacharya D, Chan CX, Claar DC, Coffroth MA, Cunning R, Davy SK, del Campo J, Díaz-Almeyda EM, Frommlet JC, Fuess LE, González-Pech RA, Goulet TL, Hoadley KD, Howells EJ, Hume BCC, Kemp DW, Kenkel CD, Kitchen SA, LaJeunesse TC, Lin S, McIlroy SE, McMinds R, Nitschke MR, Oakley CA, Peixoto RS, Prada C, Putnam HM, Quigley K, Reich HG, Reimer JD, Rodriguez-Lanetty M, Rosales SM, Saad OS, Sampayo EM, Santos SR, Shoguchi E, Smith EG, Stat M, Stephens TG, Strader ME, Suggett DJ, Swain TD, Tran C, Traylor-Knowles N, Voolstra CR, Warner ME, Weis VM, Wright RM, Xiang T, Yamashita H, Ziegler M, Correa AMS, Parkinson JE. Building consensus around the assessment and interpretation of Symbiodiniaceae diversity. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15023. [PMID: 37151292 PMCID: PMC10162043 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Within microeukaryotes, genetic variation and functional variation sometimes accumulate more quickly than morphological differences. To understand the evolutionary history and ecology of such lineages, it is key to examine diversity at multiple levels of organization. In the dinoflagellate family Symbiodiniaceae, which can form endosymbioses with cnidarians (e.g., corals, octocorals, sea anemones, jellyfish), other marine invertebrates (e.g., sponges, molluscs, flatworms), and protists (e.g., foraminifera), molecular data have been used extensively over the past three decades to describe phenotypes and to make evolutionary and ecological inferences. Despite advances in Symbiodiniaceae genomics, a lack of consensus among researchers with respect to interpreting genetic data has slowed progress in the field and acted as a barrier to reconciling observations. Here, we identify key challenges regarding the assessment and interpretation of Symbiodiniaceae genetic diversity across three levels: species, populations, and communities. We summarize areas of agreement and highlight techniques and approaches that are broadly accepted. In areas where debate remains, we identify unresolved issues and discuss technologies and approaches that can help to fill knowledge gaps related to genetic and phenotypic diversity. We also discuss ways to stimulate progress, in particular by fostering a more inclusive and collaborative research community. We hope that this perspective will inspire and accelerate coral reef science by serving as a resource to those designing experiments, publishing research, and applying for funding related to Symbiodiniaceae and their symbiotic partnerships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah W. Davies
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Matthew H. Gamache
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | | | | | - Andrew C. Baker
- Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Anastazia T. Banaszak
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Mexico
| | - Line Kolind Bay
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia
| | - Anthony J. Bellantuono
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Debashish Bhattacharya
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Cheong Xin Chan
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Danielle C. Claar
- Nearshore Habitat Program, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA, USA
| | | | - Ross Cunning
- Daniel P. Haerther Center for Conservation and Research, John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Simon K. Davy
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Javier del Campo
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC - Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | | | - Jörg C. Frommlet
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Lauren E. Fuess
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, United States
| | - Raúl A. González-Pech
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, United States
| | - Tamar L. Goulet
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, University, MS, United States
| | - Kenneth D. Hoadley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama—Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States
| | - Emily J. Howells
- National Marine Science Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Dustin W. Kemp
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama—Birmingham, Birmingham, Al, United States
| | - Carly D. Kenkel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Sheila A. Kitchen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Todd C. LaJeunesse
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Senjie Lin
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, CT, United States
| | - Shelby E. McIlroy
- Swire Institute of Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Ryan McMinds
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Disease Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | | | - Clinton A. Oakley
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Raquel S. Peixoto
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Carlos Prada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Hollie M. Putnam
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | | | - Hannah G. Reich
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - James Davis Reimer
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan
| | | | - Stephanie M. Rosales
- The Cooperative Institute For Marine and Atmospheric Studies, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Osama S. Saad
- Department of Biological Oceanography, Red Sea University, Port-Sudan, Sudan
| | - Eugenia M. Sampayo
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Scott R. Santos
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Eiichi Shoguchi
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Edward G. Smith
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Michael Stat
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Timothy G. Stephens
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Marie E. Strader
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - David J. Suggett
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Timothy D. Swain
- Department of Marine and Environmental Science, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL, United States
| | - Cawa Tran
- Department of Biology, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Nikki Traylor-Knowles
- Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | | | - Mark E. Warner
- School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware, Lewes, DE, United States
| | - Virginia M. Weis
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Rachel M. Wright
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Tingting Xiang
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Hiroshi Yamashita
- Fisheries Technology Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Maren Ziegler
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen (Germany), Giessen, Germany
| | | | - John Everett Parkinson
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
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26
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Bove CB, Ingersoll MV, Davies SW. Help Me, Symbionts, You're My Only Hope: Approaches to Accelerate our Understanding of Coral Holobiont Interactions. Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:1756-1769. [PMID: 36099871 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tropical corals construct the three-dimensional framework for one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, providing habitat to a plethora of species across taxa. However, these ecosystem engineers are facing unprecedented challenges, such as increasing disease prevalence and marine heatwaves associated with anthropogenic global change. As a result, major declines in coral cover and health are being observed across the world's oceans, often due to the breakdown of coral-associated symbioses. Here, we review the interactions between the major symbiotic partners of the coral holobiont-the cnidarian host, algae in the family Symbiodiniaceae, and the microbiome-that influence trait variation, including the molecular mechanisms that underlie symbiosis and the resulting physiological benefits of different microbial partnerships. In doing so, we highlight the current framework for the formation and maintenance of cnidarian-Symbiodiniaceae symbiosis, and the role that immunity pathways play in this relationship. We emphasize that understanding these complex interactions is challenging when you consider the vast genetic variation of the cnidarian host and algal symbiont, as well as their highly diverse microbiome, which is also an important player in coral holobiont health. Given the complex interactions between and among symbiotic partners, we propose several research directions and approaches focused on symbiosis model systems and emerging technologies that will broaden our understanding of how these partner interactions may facilitate the prediction of coral holobiont phenotype, especially under rapid environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen B Bove
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Sarah W Davies
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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27
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Sheahan K, Zarate D, Chalifour B, Li J. Intraspecific transfer of algal symbionts can occur in photosymbiotic Exaiptasia sea anemones. Symbiosis 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13199-022-00891-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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28
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Puntin G, Sweet M, Fraune S, Medina M, Sharp K, Weis VM, Ziegler M. Harnessing the Power of Model Organisms To Unravel Microbial Functions in the Coral Holobiont. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2022; 86:e0005322. [PMID: 36287022 PMCID: PMC9769930 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00053-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Stony corals build the framework of coral reefs, ecosystems of immense ecological and economic importance. The existence of these ecosystems is threatened by climate change and other anthropogenic stressors that manifest in microbial dysbiosis such as coral bleaching and disease, often leading to coral mortality. Despite a significant amount of research, the mechanisms ultimately underlying these destructive phenomena, and what could prevent or mitigate them, remain to be resolved. This is mostly due to practical challenges in experimentation on corals and the highly complex nature of the coral holobiont that also includes bacteria, archaea, protists, and viruses. While the overall importance of these partners is well recognized, their specific contributions to holobiont functioning and their interspecific dynamics remain largely unexplored. Here, we review the potential of adopting model organisms as more tractable systems to address these knowledge gaps. We draw on parallels from the broader biological and biomedical fields to guide the establishment, implementation, and integration of new and emerging model organisms with the aim of addressing the specific needs of coral research. We evaluate the cnidarian models Hydra, Aiptasia, Cassiopea, and Astrangia poculata; review the fast-evolving field of coral tissue and cell cultures; and propose a framework for the establishment of "true" tropical reef-building coral models. Based on this assessment, we also suggest future research to address key aspects limiting our ability to understand and hence improve the response of reef-building corals to future ocean conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Puntin
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Marine Holobiomics Lab, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Michael Sweet
- Aquatic Research Facility, Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Sebastian Fraune
- Institute for Zoology and Organismic Interactions, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Mónica Medina
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Koty Sharp
- Department of Biology, Marine Biology, and Environmental Science, Roger Williams University, Bristol, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Virginia M. Weis
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Maren Ziegler
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Marine Holobiomics Lab, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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29
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Cziesielski MJ, Liew YJ, Cui G, Aranda M. Increased incompatibility of heterologous algal symbionts under thermal stress in the cnidarian-dinoflagellate model Aiptasia. Commun Biol 2022; 5:760. [PMID: 35902758 PMCID: PMC9334593 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03724-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Rising ocean temperatures are increasing the rate and intensity of coral mass bleaching events, leading to the collapse of coral reef ecosystems. To better understand the dynamics of coral-algae symbioses, it is critical to decipher the role each partner plays in the holobiont's thermotolerance. Here, we investigated the role of the symbiont by comparing transcriptional heat stress responses of anemones from two thermally distinct locations, Florida (CC7) and Hawaii (H2) as well as a heterologous host-symbiont combination composed of CC7 host anemones inoculated with the symbiont Breviolum minutum (SSB01) from H2 anemones (CC7-B01). We find that oxidative stress and apoptosis responses are strongly influenced by symbiont type, as further confirmed by caspase-3 activation assays, but that the overall response to heat stress is dictated by the compatibility of both partners. Expression of genes essential to symbiosis revealed a shift from a nitrogen- to a carbon-limited state only in the heterologous combination CC7-B01, suggesting a bioenergetic disruption of symbiosis during stress. Our results indicate that symbiosis is highly fine-tuned towards particular partner combinations and that heterologous host-symbiont combinations are metabolically less compatible under stress. These results are essential for future strategies aiming at increasing coral resilience using heterologous thermotolerant symbionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha J Cziesielski
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.,Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Yi Jin Liew
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.,Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.,CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Guoxin Cui
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.,Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Manuel Aranda
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. .,Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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30
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Immunolocalization of Metabolite Transporter Proteins in a Model Cnidarian-Dinoflagellate Symbiosis. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0041222. [PMID: 35678605 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00412-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bidirectional nutrient flow between partners is integral to the cnidarian-dinoflagellate endosymbiosis. However, our current knowledge of the transporter proteins that regulate nutrient and metabolite trafficking is nascent. Four transmembrane transporters that likely play an important role in interpartner nitrogen and carbon exchange were investigated with immunocytochemistry in the model sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana ("Aiptasia"; strain NZ1): ammonium transporter 1 (AMT1), V-type proton ATPase (VHA), facilitated glucose transporter member 8 (GLUT8), and aquaporin-3 (AQP3). Anemones lacking symbionts were compared with those in symbiosis with either their typical, homologous dinoflagellate symbiont, Breviolum minutum, or the heterologous species, Durusdinium trenchii and Symbiodinium microadriaticum. AMT1 and VHA were only detected in symbiotic Aiptasia, irrespective of symbiont type. However, GLUT8 and AQP3 were detected in both symbiotic and aposymbiotic states. All transporters were localized to both the epidermis and gastrodermis, though localization patterns in host tissues were heavily influenced by symbiont identity, with S. microadriaticum-colonized anemones showing the most distinct patterns. These patterns suggested disruption of fixed carbon and inorganic nitrogen fluxes when in symbiosis with heterologous versus homologous symbionts. This study enhances our understanding of nutrient transport and host-symbiont integration, while providing a platform for further investigation of nutrient transporters and the host-symbiont interface in the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis. IMPORTANCE Coral reefs are in serious decline, in particular due to the thermally induced dysfunction of the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis that underlies their success. Yet our ability to react to this crisis is hindered by limited knowledge of how this symbiosis functions. Indeed, we still have much to learn about the cellular integration that determines whether a particular host-symbiont combination can persist, and hence whether corals might be able to adapt by acquiring new, more thermally resistant symbionts. Here, we employed immunocytochemistry to localize and quantify key nutrient transporters in tissues of the sea anemone Aiptasia, a globally adopted model system for this symbiosis, and compared the expression of these transporters when the host is colonized by native versus nonnative symbionts. We showed a clear link between transporter expression and symbiont identity, elucidating the cellular events that dictate symbiosis success, and we provide a methodological platform for further examination of cellular integration in this ecologically important symbiosis.
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Roik A, Reverter M, Pogoreutz C. A roadmap to understanding diversity and function of coral reef-associated fungi. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2022; 46:6615459. [PMID: 35746877 PMCID: PMC9629503 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuac028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Tropical coral reefs are hotspots of marine productivity, owing to the association of reef-building corals with endosymbiotic algae and metabolically diverse bacterial communities. However, the functional importance of fungi, well-known for their contribution to shaping terrestrial ecosystems and global nutrient cycles, remains underexplored on coral reefs. We here conceptualize how fungal functional traits may have facilitated the spread, diversification, and ecological adaptation of marine fungi on coral reefs. We propose that functions of reef-associated fungi may be diverse and go beyond their hitherto described roles of pathogens and bioeroders, including but not limited to reef-scale biogeochemical cycles and the structuring of coral-associated and environmental microbiomes via chemical mediation. Recent technological and conceptual advances will allow the elucidation of the physiological, ecological, and chemical contributions of understudied marine fungi to coral holobiont and reef ecosystem functioning and health and may help provide an outlook for reef management actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Roik
- Corresponding author: Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University of Oldenburg (HIFMB), Ammerländer Heerstrasse 231, D-26129 Oldenburg, Germany. E-mail:
| | - Miriam Reverter
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Wilhelmshaven, 26046, Germany,School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, United Kingdom
| | - Claudia Pogoreutz
- Corresponding author: Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.,
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32
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Symbiosis with Dinoflagellates Alters Cnidarian Cell-Cycle Gene Expression. Cell Microbiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/3330160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis, hosts show altered expression of genes involved in growth and proliferation when in the symbiotic state, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms that underlie the host’s altered growth rate. Using tissue-specific transcriptomics, we determined how symbiosis affects expression of cell cycle-associated genes, in the model symbiotic cnidarian Exaiptasia diaphana (Aiptasia). The presence of symbionts within the gastrodermis elicited cell-cycle arrest in the G1 phase in a larger proportion of host cells compared with the aposymbiotic gastrodermis. The symbiotic gastrodermis also showed a reduction in the amount of cells synthesizing their DNA and progressing through mitosis when compared with the aposymbiotic gastrodermis. Host apoptotic inhibitors (Mdm2) were elevated, while host apoptotic sensitizers (c-Myc) were depressed, in the symbiotic gastrodermis when compared with the aposymbiotic gastrodermis and epidermis of symbiotic anemones, respectively. This indicates that the presence of symbionts negatively regulates host apoptosis, possibly contributing to their persistence within the host. Transcripts (ATM/ATR) associated with DNA damage were also downregulated in symbiotic gastrodermal tissues. In epidermal cells, a single gene (Mob1) required for mitotic completion was upregulated in symbiotic compared with aposymbiotic anemones, suggesting that the presence of symbionts in the gastrodermis stimulates host cell division in the epidermis. To further corroborate this hypothesis, we performed microscopic analysis using an S-phase indicator (EdU), allowing us to evaluate cell cycling in host cells. Our results confirmed that there were significantly more proliferating host cells in both the gastrodermis and epidermis in the symbiotic state compared with the aposymbiotic state. Furthermore, when comparing between tissue layers in the presence of symbionts, the epidermis had significantly more proliferating host cells than the symbiont-containing gastrodermis. These results contribute to our understanding of the influence of symbionts on the mechanisms of cnidarian cell proliferation and mechanisms associated with symbiont maintenance.
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Cui G, Liew YJ, Konciute MK, Zhan Y, Hung SH, Thistle J, Gastoldi L, Schmidt-Roach S, Dekker J, Aranda M. Nutritional control regulates symbiont proliferation and life history in coral-dinoflagellate symbiosis. BMC Biol 2022; 20:103. [PMID: 35549698 PMCID: PMC9102920 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01306-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The coral-Symbiodiniaceae symbiosis is fundamental for the coral reef ecosystem. Corals provide various inorganic nutrients to their algal symbionts in exchange for the photosynthates to meet their metabolic demands. When becoming symbionts, Symbiodiniaceae cells show a reduced proliferation rate and a different life history. While it is generally believed that the animal hosts play critical roles in regulating these processes, far less is known about the molecular underpinnings that allow the corals to induce the changes in their symbionts. Results We tested symbiont cell proliferation and life stage changes in vitro in response to different nutrient-limiting conditions to determine the key nutrients and to compare the respective symbiont transcriptomic profiles to cells in hospite. We then examined the effects of nutrient repletion on symbiont proliferation in coral hosts and quantified life stage transitions in vitro using time-lapse confocal imaging. Here, we show that symbionts in hospite share gene expression and pathway activation profiles with free-living cells under nitrogen-limited conditions, strongly suggesting that symbiont proliferation in symbiosis is limited by nitrogen availability. Conclusions We demonstrate that nitrogen limitation not only suppresses cell proliferation but also life stage transition to maintain symbionts in the immobile coccoid stage. Nutrient repletion experiments in corals further confirmed that nitrogen availability is the major factor limiting symbiont density in hospite. Our study emphasizes the importance of nitrogen in coral-algae interactions and, more importantly, sheds light on the crucial role of nitrogen in symbiont life history regulation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01306-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxin Cui
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Yi Jin Liew
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Migle K Konciute
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ye Zhan
- Program in Systems Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Shiou-Han Hung
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jana Thistle
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lucia Gastoldi
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sebastian Schmidt-Roach
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Job Dekker
- Program in Systems Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Manuel Aranda
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
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Cowen LJ, Putnam HM. Bioinformatics of Corals: Investigating Heterogeneous Omics Data from Coral Holobionts for Insight into Reef Health and Resilience. Annu Rev Biomed Data Sci 2022; 5:205-231. [PMID: 35537462 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biodatasci-122120-030732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Coral reefs are home to over two million species and provide habitat for roughly 25% of all marine animals, but they are being severely threatened by pollution and climate change. A large amount of genomic, transcriptomic, and other omics data is becoming increasingly available from different species of reef-building corals, the unicellular dinoflagellates, and the coral microbiome (bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, etc.). Such new data present an opportunity for bioinformatics researchers and computational biologists to contribute to a timely, compelling, and urgent investigation of critical factors that influence reef health and resilience. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Biomedical Data Science, Volume 5 is August 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenore J Cowen
- Department of Computer Science, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Hollie M Putnam
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA;
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35
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Jinkerson RE, Russo JA, Newkirk CR, Kirk AL, Chi RJ, Martindale MQ, Grossman AR, Hatta M, Xiang T. Cnidarian-Symbiodiniaceae symbiosis establishment is independent of photosynthesis. Curr Biol 2022; 32:2402-2415.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Proteome metabolome and transcriptome data for three Symbiodiniaceae under ambient and heat stress conditions. Sci Data 2022; 9:153. [PMID: 35383179 PMCID: PMC8983644 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01258-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Symbiodiniaceae are a taxonomically and functionally diverse family of marine dinoflagellates. Their symbiotic relationship with invertebrates such as scleractinian corals has made them the focus of decades of research to resolve the underlying biology regulating their sensitivity to stressors, particularly thermal stress. Research to-date suggests that Symbiodiniaceae stress sensitivity is governed by a complex interplay between phylogenetic dependent and independent traits (diversity of characteristics of a species). Consequently, there is a need for datasets that simultaneously broadly resolve molecular and physiological processes under stressed and non-stressed conditions. Therefore, we provide a dataset simultaneously generating transcriptome, metabolome, and proteome data for three ecologically important Symbiodiniaceae isolates under nutrient replete growth conditions and two temperature treatments (ca. 26 °C and 32 °C). Elevated sea surface temperature is primarily responsible for coral bleaching events that occur when the coral-Symbiodiniaceae relationship has been disrupted. Symbiodiniaceae can strongly influence their host's response to thermal stress and consequently it is necessary to resolve drivers of Symbiodiniaceae heat stress tolerance. We anticipate these datasets to expand our understanding on the key genotypic and functional properties that influence the sensitivities of Symbiodiniaceae to thermal stress.
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37
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Tang CH, Shi SH, Li HH, Lin CY, Wang WH. Lipid profiling of coral symbiosomes in response to copper-induced carbon limitation: A metabolic effect of algal symbionts on the host immune status. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 293:133673. [PMID: 35063552 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133673] [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: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Copper micropollutants are known to constrain coral's assimilation of carbonate, affecting the carbon available to algal symbionts and thus inducing a light stress. However, little is known regarding the physiological relevance of lipid metabolism in coral symbiotic algae in a carbon-limited state. Membrane lipids exhibit multiple physicochemical properties that are collectively responsible for the dynamic structure of cells depending on the physiological demands of the circumstances. To gain insight into lipid metabolism's importance in this regard, glycerophosphocholine (GPC) profiling of symbiosomes in coral (Seriatopora caliendrum) exposed to environmentally relevant copper levels (2.2-7.5 μg/L) for 4 days was performed in this study. Notably, reducing the number of 22:6-processing GPCs and increasing that of lyso-GPCs likely addressed the demands of metabolizing excess light energy, such as affecting the membrane dynamics to promote mitochondrial uncoupling. The decrease in 22:6-processing GPCs additionally protected cellular membranes from elevated oxidative stress, reducing their susceptibility to peroxidation and offsetting oxidized lipid-induced effects on membrane dynamics. The change in plasmanylcholines specifically localized within the symbiosome membrane also met the membrane requirements for responding to oxidative stress conditions. Moreover, increasing the 20:4-possessing plasmanylcholines and lysoplasmanylcholines and reducing the 22:6-possessing plasmanylcholines likely resulted in an imbalance of the immune reaction, influencing the coral-algae symbiosis given the role of such plasmanylcholines in cell signaling. In summary, carbon limitations induced by copper enrichment lead to a shift in the membrane lipid profile of coral symbiosomes, accommodating themselves to light stress conditions while compromising the symbiosis's stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan-Ho Tang
- National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Pingtung, Taiwan; Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Shu-Han Shi
- Institute of Marine Biology, National Dong Hwa University, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Hui Li
- National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Pingtung, Taiwan; Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yu Lin
- Institute of Environmental Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Hsien Wang
- National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Pingtung, Taiwan; Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Tsang Min Ching SJ, Chan WY, Perez-Gonzalez A, Hillyer KE, Buerger P, van Oppen MJH. Colonization and metabolite profiles of homologous, heterologous and experimentally evolved algal symbionts in the sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:30. [PMID: 37938648 PMCID: PMC9723793 DOI: 10.1038/s43705-022-00114-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The sea anemone, Exaiptasia diaphana, is a model of coral-dinoflagellate (Symbiodiniaceae) symbiosis. However, little is known of its potential to form symbiosis with Cladocopium-a key Indo-Pacific algal symbiont of scleractinian corals, nor the host nutritional consequences of such an association. Aposymbiotic anemones were inoculated with homologous algal symbionts, Breviolum minutum, and seven heterologous strains of Cladocopium C1acro (wild-type and heat-evolved) under ambient conditions. Despite lower initial algal cell density, Cladocopium C1acro-anemeones achieved similar cell densities as B. minutum-anemones by week 77. Wild-type and heat-evolved Cladocopium C1acro showed similar colonization patterns. Targeted LC-MS-based metabolomics revealed that almost all significantly different metabolites in the host and Symbiodiniaceae fractions were due to differences between Cladocopium C1acro and B. minutum, with little difference between heat-evolved and wild-type Cladocopium C1acro at week 9. The algal fraction of Cladocopium C1acro-anemones was enriched in metabolites related to nitrogen storage, while the host fraction of B. minutum-anemones was enriched in sugar-related metabolites. Compared to B. minutum, Cladocopium C1acro is likely slightly less nutritionally beneficial to the host under ambient conditions, but more capable of maintaining its own growth when host nitrogen supply is limited. Our findings demonstrate the value of E. diaphana to study experimentally evolved Cladocopium.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wing Yan Chan
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Alexis Perez-Gonzalez
- Melbourne Cytometry Platform, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at The Peter Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Patrick Buerger
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Applied Biosciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Madeleine J H van Oppen
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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Fifer JE, Yasuda N, Yamakita T, Bove CB, Davies SW. Genetic divergence and range expansion in a western North Pacific coral. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 813:152423. [PMID: 34942242 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Coral poleward range expansions have recently been observed in response to warming oceans. Range expansion can lead to reduced genetic diversity and increased frequency of deleterious mutations that were rare in core populations, potentially limiting the ability for adaptation and persistence in novel environments. Successful expansions that overcome these founder effects and colonize new habitat have been attributed to multiple introductions from different sources, hybridization with native populations, or rapid adaptive evolution. Here, we investigate population genomic patterns of the reef-building coral Acropora hyacinthus along a latitudinal cline that includes a well-established range expansion front in Japan using 2b-RAD sequencing. A total of 184 coral samples were collected across seven sites spanning from ~24°N to near its northern range front at ~33°N. We uncover the presence of three cryptic lineages of A. hyacinthus, which occupy discrete reefs within this region. Only one lineage is present along the expansion front and we find evidence for its historical occupation of marginal habitats. Within this lineage we also find evidence of bottleneck pressures associated with expansion events including higher clonality, increased linkage disequilibrium, and lower genetic diversity in range edge populations compared to core populations. Asymmetric migration between populations was also detected with lower migration from edge sites. Lastly, we describe genomic signatures of local adaptation potentially attributed to lower winter temperatures experienced at the more recently expanded northern populations. Together these data illuminate the genomic consequences of range expansion in a coral and highlight how adaptation to discrete environments along expansion fronts may facilitate further range expansion in this temperate coral lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E Fifer
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | - Nina Yasuda
- Department of Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuenkibanadainishi, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan.
| | - Takehisa Yamakita
- Marine Biodiversity and Environmental Assessment Research Center, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, 2-15 Natsushimacho, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 237-0061, Japan
| | - Colleen B Bove
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Sarah W Davies
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Dimos B, Emery M, Beavers K, MacKnight N, Brandt M, Demuth J, Mydlarz L. Adaptive Variation in Homolog Number Within Transcript Families Promotes Expression Divergence in Reef-Building Coral. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:2594-2610. [PMID: 35229964 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Gene expression, especially in multi-species experiments, is used to gain insight into the genetic basis of how organisms adapt and respond to changing environments. However, evolutionary processes which can influence gene expression patterns between species such as the presence of paralogs which arise from gene duplication events are rarely accounted for. Paralogous transcripts can alter the transcriptional output of a gene and thus exclusion of these transcripts can obscure important biological differences between species. To address this issue, we investigated how differences in transcript family size is associated with divergent gene expression patterns in five species of Caribbean reef-building corals. We demonstrate that transcript families that are rapidly evolving in terms of size have increased levels of expression divergence. Additionally, these rapidly evolving transcript families are enriched for multiple biological processes, with genes involved in the coral innate immune system demonstrating pronounced variation in homolog number between species. Overall, this investigation demonstrates the importance of incorporating paralogous transcripts when comparing gene expression across species by influencing both transcriptional output and the number of transcripts within biological processes. As this investigation was based on transcriptome assemblies, additional insights into the relationship between gene duplications and expression patterns will likely emergence once more genome assemblies are available for study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradford Dimos
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Madison Emery
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Kelsey Beavers
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Nicholas MacKnight
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Marilyn Brandt
- Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, 00802, USA
| | - Jeffery Demuth
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Laura Mydlarz
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
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Larval transcriptomic responses of a stony coral, Acropora tenuis, during initial contact with the native symbiont, Symbiodinium microadriaticum. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2854. [PMID: 35190599 PMCID: PMC8861010 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06822-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although numerous dinoflagellate species (Family Symbiodiniaceae) are present in coral reef environments, Acropora corals tend to select a single species, Symbiodinium microadriaticum, in early life stages, even though this species is rarely found in mature colonies. In order to identify molecular mechanisms involved in initial contact with native symbionts, we analyzed transcriptomic responses of Acropora tenuis larvae at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after their first contact with S. microadriaticum, as well as with non-native symbionts, including the non-symbiotic S. natans and the occasional symbiont, S. tridacnidorum. Some gene expression changes were detected in larvae inoculated with non-native symbionts at 1 h post-inoculation, but those returned to baseline levels afterward. In contrast, when larvae were exposed to native symbionts, we found that the number of differentially expressed genes gradually increased in relation to inoculation time. As a specific response to native symbionts, upregulation of pattern recognition receptor-like and transporter genes, and suppression of cellular function genes related to immunity and apoptosis, were exclusively observed. These findings indicate that coral larvae recognize differences between symbionts, and when the appropriate symbionts infect, they coordinate gene expression to establish stable mutualism.
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Hartman LM, Blackall LL, van Oppen MJH. Antibiotics reduce bacterial load in Exaiptasia diaphana, but biofilms hinder its development as a gnotobiotic coral model. Access Microbiol 2022; 4:000314. [PMID: 35252752 PMCID: PMC8895603 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral reefs are declining due to anthropogenic disturbances, including climate change. Therefore, improving our understanding of coral ecosystems is vital, and the influence of bacteria on coral health has attracted particular interest. However, a gnotobiotic coral model that could enhance studies of coral–bacteria interactions is absent. To address this gap, we tested the ability of treatment with seven antibiotics for 3 weeks to deplete bacteria in Exaiptasia diaphana, a sea anemone widely used as a coral model. Digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) targeting anemone Ef1-α and bacterial 16S rRNA genes was used to quantify bacterial load, which was found to decrease six-fold. However, metabarcoding of bacterial 16S rRNA genes showed that alpha and beta diversity of the anemone-associated bacterial communities increased significantly. Therefore, gnotobiotic E. diaphana with simplified, uniform bacterial communities were not generated, with biofilm formation in the culture vessels most likely impeding efforts to eliminate bacteria. Despite this outcome, our work will inform future efforts to create a much needed gnotobiotic coral model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon M. Hartman
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
- Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Linda L. Blackall
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Madeleine J. H. van Oppen
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Presnell JS, Wirsching E, Weis VM. Tentacle patterning during Exaiptasia diaphana pedal lacerate development differs between symbiotic and aposymbiotic animals. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12770. [PMID: 35047238 PMCID: PMC8757374 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Exaiptasia diaphana, a tropical sea anemone known as Aiptasia, is a tractable model system for studying the cellular, physiological, and ecological characteristics of cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis. Aiptasia is widely used as a proxy for coral-algal symbiosis, since both Aiptasia and corals form a symbiosis with members of the family Symbiodiniaceae. Laboratory strains of Aiptasia can be maintained in both the symbiotic (Sym) and aposymbiotic (Apo, without algae) states. Apo Aiptasia allow for the study of the influence of symbiosis on different biological processes and how different environmental conditions impact symbiosis. A key feature of Aiptasia is the ease of propagating both Sym and Apo individuals in the laboratory through a process called pedal laceration. In this form of asexual reproduction, small pieces of tissue rip away from the pedal disc of a polyp, then these lacerates eventually develop tentacles and grow into new polyps. While pedal laceration has been described in the past, details of how tentacles are formed or how symbiotic and nutritional state influence this process are lacking. Here we describe the stages of development in both Sym and Apo pedal lacerates. Our results show that Apo lacerates develop tentacles earlier than Sym lacerates, while over the course of 20 days, Sym lacerates end up with a greater number of tentacles. We describe both tentacle and mesentery patterning during lacerate development and show that they form through a single pattern in early stages regardless of symbiotic state. In later stages of development, Apo lacerate tentacles and mesenteries progress through a single pattern, while variable patterns were observed in Sym lacerates. We discuss how Aiptasia lacerate mesentery and tentacle patterning differs from oral disc regeneration and how these patterning events compare to postembryonic development in Nematostella vectensis, another widely-used sea anemone model. In addition, we demonstrate that Apo lacerates supplemented with a putative nutrient source developed an intermediate number of tentacles between un-fed Apo and Sym lacerates. Based on these observations, we hypothesize that pedal lacerates progress through two different, putatively nutrient-dependent phases of development. In the early phase, the lacerate, regardless of symbiotic state, preferentially uses or relies on nutrients carried over from the adult polyp. These resources are sufficient for lacerates to develop into a functional polyp. In the late phase of development, continued growth and tentacle formation is supported by nutrients obtained from either symbionts and/or the environment through heterotrophic feeding. Finally, we advocate for the implementation of pedal lacerates as an additional resource in the Aiptasia model system toolkit for studies of cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason S. Presnell
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States of America,Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Wirsching
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States of America,Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, United States of America
| | - Virginia M. Weis
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States of America
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Suescún-Bolívar LP, Thomé PE. The specific inhibition of glycerol synthesis and the phosphorylation of a putative MAPK give insight into the mechanism of osmotic sensing in a dinoflagellate symbiont. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2021; 69:e12883. [PMID: 34936156 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12883] [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: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Signaling pathways are fundamental for the establishment and maintenance of diverse symbioses. The symbiosis of cnidarians and dinoflagellate algae is the foundation for the ecological success of coral reefs, involving the transfer of photosynthetic products from symbiont to host. However, signal transduction pathways for this symbiosis remain uncharacterized. Cultured and natural cnidarian symbionts can produce glycerol, one of the main translocated photosynthates. Here, we investigate whether a signal transduction pathway may be involved in inducing glycerol synthesis in cultured symbionts under an osmotic stress model. We evaluated the effect of specific inhibitors of the main transduction pathways, p38, JNK, and ERK 1/2 in Brevolium minutum, the symbiont of the Aiptasia model system. We found that glycerol production and the specific activity of the enzyme Gpdh were selectively inhibited by a p38 MAPK inhibitor. Additionally, the phosphorylation of a putative p38-like protein was rapidly detected. Finally, we studied the presence of each of the components of the p38 MAPK pathway in silico, in genomes and transcriptomes reported up to date for different symbiont types. We propose a model for the arrangement of this pathway in the family of dinoflagellate symbionts known as Symbiodiniaceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- L P Suescún-Bolívar
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales Puerto Morelos, Puerto Morelos, Mexico
| | - P E Thomé
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales Puerto Morelos, Puerto Morelos, Mexico
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45
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Will coral reefs survive by adaptive bleaching? Emerg Top Life Sci 2021; 6:11-15. [PMID: 34881775 DOI: 10.1042/etls20210227] [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: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Some reef-building corals form symbioses with multiple algal partners that differ in ecologically important traits like heat tolerance. Coral bleaching and recovery can drive symbiont community turnover toward more heat-tolerant partners, and this 'adaptive bleaching' response can increase future bleaching thresholds by 1-2°C, aiding survival in warming oceans. However, this mechanism of rapid acclimatization only occurs in corals that are compatible with multiple symbionts, and only when the disturbance regime and competitive dynamics among symbionts are sufficient to bring about community turnover. The full scope of coral taxa and ecological scenarios in which symbiont shuffling occurs remains poorly understood, though its prevalence is likely to increase as warming oceans boost the competitive advantage of heat-tolerant symbionts, increase the frequency of bleaching events, and strengthen metacommunity feedbacks. Still, the constraints, limitations, and potential tradeoffs of symbiont shuffling suggest it will not save coral reef ecosystems; however, it may significantly improve the survival trajectories of some, or perhaps many, coral species. Interventions to manipulate coral symbionts and symbiont communities may expand the scope of their adaptive potential, which may boost coral survival until climate change is addressed.
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Rivera HE, Davies SW. Symbiosis maintenance in the facultative coral, Oculina arbuscula, relies on nitrogen cycling, cell cycle modulation, and immunity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21226. [PMID: 34707162 PMCID: PMC8551165 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00697-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Symbiosis with unicellular algae in the family Symbiodiniaceae is common across tropical marine invertebrates. Reef-building corals offer a clear example of cellular dysfunction leading to a dysbiosis that disrupts entire ecosystems in a process termed coral bleaching. Due to their obligate symbiotic relationship, understanding the molecular underpinnings that sustain this symbiosis in tropical reef-building corals is challenging, as any aposymbiotic state is inherently coupled with severe physiological stress. Here, we leverage the subtropical, facultatively symbiotic and calcifying coral Oculina arbuscula to investigate gene expression differences between aposymbiotic and symbiotic branches within the same colonies under baseline conditions. We further compare gene ontology (GO) and KOG enrichment in gene expression patterns from O. arbuscula with prior work in the sea anemone Exaiptasia pallida (Aiptasia) and the salamander Ambystoma maculatum-both of which exhibit endophotosymbiosis with unicellular algae. We identify nitrogen cycling, cell cycle control, and immune responses as key pathways involved in the maintenance of symbiosis under baseline conditions. Understanding the mechanisms that sustain a healthy symbiosis between corals and Symbiodiniaceae algae is of urgent importance given the vulnerability of these partnerships to changing environmental conditions and their role in the continued functioning of critical and highly diverse marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- H E Rivera
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - S W Davies
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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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: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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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48
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Broad scale proteomic analysis of heat-destabilised symbiosis in the hard coral Acropora millepora. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19061. [PMID: 34561509 PMCID: PMC8463592 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98548-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coral reefs across the globe are threatened by warming oceans. The last few years have seen the worst mass coral bleaching events recorded, with more than one quarter of all reefs irreversibly impacted. Considering the widespread devastation, we need to increase our efforts to understanding the physiological and metabolic shifts underlying the breakdown of this important symbiotic ecosystem. Here, we investigated the proteome (PRIDE accession # PXD011668) of both host and symbionts of the reef-building coral Acropora millepora exposed to ambient (~ 28 °C) and elevated temperature (~ 32 °C for 2 days, following a five-day incremental increase) and explored associated biomolecular changes in the symbiont, with the aim of gaining new insights into the mechanisms underpinning the collapse of the coral symbiosis. We identified 1,230 unique proteins (774 host and 456 symbiont) in the control and thermally stressed corals, of which 107 significantly increased and 125 decreased in abundance under elevated temperature relative to the control. Proteins involved in oxidative stress and proteolysis constituted 29% of the host proteins that increased in abundance, with evidence of impairment to endoplasmic reticulum and cytoskeletal regulation proteins. In the symbiont, we detected a decrease in proteins responsible for photosynthesis and energy production (33% of proteins decreased in abundance), yet minimal signs of oxidative stress or proteolysis. Lipid stores increased > twofold despite reduction in photosynthesis, suggesting reduced translocation of carbon to the host. There were significant changes in proteins related to symbiotic state, including proteins linked to nitrogen metabolism in the host and the V-ATPase (-0.6 fold change) known to control symbiosome acidity. These results highlight key differences in host and symbiont proteomic adjustments under elevated temperature and identify two key proteins directly involved in bilateral nutrient exchange as potential indicators of symbiosis breakdown.
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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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50
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Tortorelli G, Rautengarten C, Bacic A, Segal G, Ebert B, Davy SK, van Oppen MJH, McFadden GI. Cell surface carbohydrates of symbiotic dinoflagellates and their role in the establishment of cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis. ISME JOURNAL 2021; 16:190-199. [PMID: 34285364 PMCID: PMC8290866 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-021-01059-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Symbiodiniaceae algae are often photosymbionts of reef-building corals. The establishment of their symbiosis resembles a microbial infection where eukaryotic pattern recognition receptors (e.g. lectins) are thought to recognize a specific range of taxon-specific microbial-associated molecular patterns (e.g. glycans). The present study used the sea anemone, Exaiptasia diaphana and three species of Symbiodiniaceae (the homologous Breviolum minutum, the heterologous-compatible Cladocopium goreaui and the heterologous-incompatible Fugacium kawagutii) to compare the surface glycomes of three symbionts and explore the role of glycan–lectin interactions in host–symbiont recognition and establishment of symbiosis. We identified the nucleotide sugars of the algal cells, then examined glycans on the cell wall of the three symbiont species with monosaccharide analysis, lectin array technology and fluorescence microscopy of the algal cell decorated with fluorescently tagged lectins. Armed with this inventory of possible glycan moieties, we then assayed the ability of the three Symbiodiniaceae to colonize aposymbiotic E. diaphana after modifying the surface of one of the two partners. The Symbiodiniaceae cell-surface glycome varies among algal species. Trypsin treatment of the alga changed the rate of B. minutum and C. goreaui uptake, suggesting that a protein-based moiety is an essential part of compatible symbiont recognition. Our data strongly support the importance of D-galactose (in particular β-D-galactose) residues in the establishment of the cnidarian–dinoflagellate symbiosis, and we propose a potential involvement of L-fucose, D-xylose and D-galacturonic acid in the early steps of this mutualism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Tortorelli
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | | | - Antony Bacic
- Department of Animal, Plant & Soil Sciences, La Trobe Institute for Agriculture and Food, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Gabriela Segal
- Biological Optical Microscopy Platform, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Berit Ebert
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Simon K Davy
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Madeleine J H van Oppen
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Geoffrey I McFadden
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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