Conversion of oxybenzone sunscreen to phototoxic glucoside conjugates by sea anemones and corals

Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 376(6593), P. 644 - 648

Published: May 5, 2022

The reported toxicity of oxybenzone-based sunscreens to corals has raised concerns about the impacts ecotourist-shed on already weakened by global stressors. However, oxybenzone’s mechanism(s) are not understood, hampering development safer sunscreens. We found that oxybenzone caused high mortality a sea anemone under simulated sunlight including ultraviolet (UV) radiation (290 370 nanometers). Although itself protected against UV-induced photo-oxidation, both and mushroom coral formed oxybenzone–glucoside conjugates were strong photo-oxidants. Algal symbionts sequestered these conjugates, correlated with conjugate concentrations in animal cytoplasm. Higher anemones lacked suggests an enhanced risk from bleached rising temperatures. Because many commercial contain structurally related chemicals, understanding metabolite phototoxicity should facilitate coral-safe products.

Language: Английский

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Reduced thermal tolerance in a coral carrying CRISPR-induced mutations in the gene for a heat-shock transcription factor

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 117(46), P. 28899 - 28905

Published: Nov. 9, 2020

Significance Coral reefs are biodiversity hotspots of great ecological, economic, and aesthetic importance. Their global decline due to climate change other stressors has increased the urgency understanding molecular bases corals’ responses stress. Analyses coral genomes gene-expression patterns have identified many genes that may be important in stress resistance, but rigorous testing their function will require analysis appropriate mutants. Here, we used CRISPR technology show mutational loss a putative regulator gene expression response heat indeed produced tolerance. Such use generate mutations corals should illuminate aspects biology and, thus, help guide conservation efforts.

Language: Английский

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Signatures of selection underpinning rapid coral adaptation to the world’s warmest reefs

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 8(2)

Published: Jan. 12, 2022

Population genomics reveals loci associated with coral adaptation to thermally extreme reefs.

Language: Английский

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Molecular insights into the Darwin paradox of coral reefs from the sea anemone Aiptasia

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(11)

Published: March 15, 2023

Symbiotic cnidarians such as corals and anemones form highly productive biodiverse coral reef ecosystems in nutrient-poor ocean environments, a phenomenon known Darwin's paradox. Resolving this paradox requires elucidating the molecular bases of efficient nutrient distribution recycling cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis. Using sea anemone Aiptasia, we show that during symbiosis, increased availability glucose presence algae jointly induce coordinated up-regulation relocalization ammonium transporters. These responses are critical to support symbiont functioning organism-wide nitrogen assimilation through glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase-mediated amino acid biosynthesis. Our results reveal crucial aspects mechanisms underlying conservation these organisms allow them thrive nitrogen-poor environments.

Language: Английский

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Microplastics in the coral ecosystems: A threat which needs more global attention

Ocean & Coastal Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 249, P. 107012 - 107012

Published: Jan. 17, 2024

Language: Английский

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Destabilization of mutualistic interactions shapes the early heat stress response of the coral holobiont

Microbiome, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Jan. 31, 2025

The stability of the symbiotic relationship between coral and their dinoflagellate algae (Symbiodiniaceae) is disrupted by ocean warming. Although thermal response depends on complex interactions host, Symbiodiniaceae prokaryotes, mechanisms underlying initial destabilization these symbioses are poorly understood. In a 2-month manipulative experiment, we exposed Porites lutea to gradually increasing temperatures corresponding 0-8 degree heating weeks (DHW) assessed holobiont using transcriptomics, microbial 16S rRNA gene sequencing physiological measurements. From early stages heat stress (< 1 DHW), increase in metabolic turnover shifted net heterotrophic state which algal-derived nutrients were insufficient meet host energy demands, resulting reduced performance at DHW. We postulate altered nutrient cycling also affected coral-associated community, with relative abundance Endozoicomonas bacteria declining under stress. Integration responses correlated this decline an expression ADP-ribosylation factor, suggesting that may underlie similar endosymbiotic regulatory processes. thermotolerance holobionts therefore influenced nutritional status its members interactions, identified interdependency highlights importance applying integrative approach guide reef conservation efforts. Video Abstract.

Language: Английский

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Harnessing the Power of Model Organisms To Unravel Microbial Functions in the Coral Holobiont

Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 86(4)

Published: Oct. 26, 2022

Stony corals build the framework of coral reefs, ecosystems immense ecological and economic importance. The existence these is threatened by climate change other anthropogenic stressors that manifest in microbial dysbiosis such as bleaching disease, often leading to mortality. Despite a significant amount research, mechanisms ultimately underlying destructive phenomena, what could prevent or mitigate them, remain be resolved. This mostly due practical challenges experimentation on highly complex nature holobiont also includes bacteria, archaea, protists, viruses. While overall importance partners well recognized, their specific contributions functioning interspecific dynamics largely unexplored. Here, we review potential adopting model organisms more tractable systems address knowledge gaps. We draw parallels from broader biological biomedical fields guide establishment, implementation, integration new emerging with aim addressing needs research. evaluate cnidarian models Hydra, Aiptasia, Cassiopea, Astrangia poculata; fast-evolving field tissue cell cultures; propose for establishment "true" tropical reef-building models. Based this assessment, suggest future research key aspects limiting our ability understand hence improve response ocean conditions.

Language: Английский

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Harnessing synthetic biology to enhance ocean health

Trends in biotechnology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 41(7), P. 860 - 874

Published: Jan. 18, 2023

Language: Английский

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Starvation differentially affects gene expression, immunity and pathogen susceptibility across symbiotic states in a model cnidarian

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2017)

Published: Feb. 28, 2024

Mutualistic symbioses between cnidarians and photosynthetic algae are modulated by complex interactions host immunity environmental conditions. Here, we investigate how symbiosis interacts with food limitation to influence gene expression stress response programming in the sea anemone Exaiptasia pallida (Aiptasia). Transcriptomic responses starvation were similar symbiotic aposymbiotic Aiptasia; however, stronger. Starved Aiptasia of both states exhibited increased protein levels immune-related transcription factor NF-κB, its associated pathways, putative target genes. However, this starvation-induced increase NF-κB correlated only anemones. Furthermore, had opposite effects on susceptibility pathogen oxidative challenges, suggesting distinct energetic priorities under scarce Finally, when compared those a facultative coral non-symbiotic anemone, ‘defence’ similarly regulated coral, but not anemone. This pattern suggests that capacity for influences immune cnidarians. In summary, certain pathways—including NF-κB—does necessarily predict pathogens, highlighting complexities cnidarian varying demands.

Language: Английский

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Marine heatwaves depress metabolic activity and impair cellular acid–base homeostasis in reef‐building corals regardless of bleaching susceptibility

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 27(12), P. 2728 - 2743

Published: March 30, 2021

Abstract Ocean warming is causing global coral bleaching events to increase in frequency, resulting widespread mortality and disrupting the function of reef ecosystems. However, even during mass events, many corals resist despite exposure abnormally high temperatures. While physiological effects have been well documented, consequences heat stress for bleaching‐resistant individuals are not understood. In addition, much remains be learned about how affects cellular‐level processes that may overlooked at organismal level, yet crucial performance short term ecological success over long term. Here we compared cellular responses bleaching‐susceptible throughout 2019 marine heatwave Hawai'i, a repeat event occurred 4 years after previous regional event. Relative susceptibility within species was consistent between two both resistant susceptible phenotypes exhibited pronounced metabolic depression heatwave. At had lower intracellular pH than peak symbiont‐hosting symbiont‐free cells, indicating greater disruption acid–base homeostasis individuals. Notably, cells from were unable compensate experimentally induced acidosis, regulation significantly impaired level containing symbionts. Thermal disturbances thus substantial consequences, as small reallocations energy budgets maintain can negatively affect fitness. These results suggest concern warranted coping with ocean acidification alongside warming, feedback temperature further exacerbate climate change.

Language: Английский

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