Guided by the northern star coral: a research synthesis and roadmap for Astrangia poculata

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 21(3)

Published: March 1, 2025

The northern star coral, Astrangia poculata , is a temperate, facultatively symbiotic, scleractinian coral spanning the coastal western Atlantic. This calcifying species mixotrophic with broad geographical range, and therefore has high utility in addressing questions related to community ecology, symbiosis, population genetics, biomineralization resilience environmental perturbations. Here, we review current A. peer-reviewed literature, which primarily found six focal areas: geographic habitat life history, microbiome genomics transcriptomics. A cross-cutting theme of these studies emerges as value an experimental system that symbiotic. Yet, historic overgeneralization symbiotic versus ‘aposymbiotic’ constrained interpretation basic biology generalizability conclusions. Emergent from our review, timely respect climate change, brings potential test on range adaptability resilience. We identify future avenues research for include integration genetics organismal–molecular–cellular across while leveraging power facultative symbiosis context.

Language: Английский

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Unlocking the Complex Cell Biology of Coral–Dinoflagellate Symbiosis: A Model Systems Approach

Annual Review of Genetics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 57(1), P. 411 - 434

Published: Sept. 19, 2023

Symbiotic interactions occur in all domains of life, providing organisms with resources to adapt new habitats. A prime example is the endosymbiosis between corals and photosynthetic dinoflagellates. Eukaryotic dinoflagellate symbionts reside inside coral cells transfer essential nutrients their hosts, driving productivity most biodiverse marine ecosystem. Recent advances molecular genomic characterization have revealed symbiosis-specific genes mechanisms shared among symbiotic cnidarians. In this review, we focus on cellular processes that underpin interaction symbiont host. We discuss acquisition via phagocytosis, modulation host innate immunity, integration into cell metabolism, nutrient exchange as a fundamental aspect stable associations. emphasize importance using model systems dissect complexity endosymbiosis, which ultimately serves basis for understanding its ecology capacity face climate change.

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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Variation in symbiont density is linked to changes in constitutive immunity in the facultatively symbiotic coral, Astrangia poculata

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 18(11)

Published: Nov. 1, 2022

Scleractinian corals are essential ecosystem engineers, forming the basis of coral reef ecosystems. However, these organisms in decline globally, part due to rising disease prevalence. Most dependent on symbiotic interactions with single-celled algae from family Symbiodiniaceae meet their nutritional needs, however, suppression host immunity may be this relationship. To explore immunological consequences algal symbioses scleractinian corals, we investigated constitutive immune activity facultatively coral, Astrangia poculata . We compared metrics (melanin synthesis, antioxidant production and antibacterial activity) between colonies varying symbiont density. Symbiont density was positively correlated both melanin concentration, likely as a result dual roles pathways symbiosis regulation. Our results confirm complex nature relationships highlight need for nuanced approaches when considering relationships.

Language: Английский

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Symbiont‐Mediated Metabolic Shift in the Sea Anemone Anthopleura elegantissima

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 17, 2025

ABSTRACT Coral reefs and their photosynthetic algae form one of the most ecologically economically impactful symbioses in animal kingdom. The stability this nutritional mutualism ecosystem is, however, at risk due to increasing sea surface temperatures that cause corals expel symbionts. Symbioses with these microeukaryotes have independently evolved multiple times, non‐coral cnidarians (e.g., anemones) serve as a valuable insightful comparative system ease husbandry laboratory ability shuffle different strains photosymbionts acclimate thermal conditions. This breadth symbiont shuffling is exemplified by anemone Anthopleura elegantissima , which naturally occurs symbiosis dinoflagellate Breviolum muscatinei (formerly Symbiodinium ) or chlorophyte Elliptochloris marina well being aposymbiotic. Here, we assembled draft genome used multi‐omics characterise physiological levels each phenotype. We find A. has symbiont‐specific transcriptional metabolomic signatures, but similar bacterial community dominated single Sphingomonas species commonly found cnidarian microbiome. Symbiosis either eukaryotic resulted differential gene expression metabolic abundance for diverse processes spanning metabolism immunity reproduction development, some unique symbiont. culture its phylogenetically divergent perform experimental manipulations makes another tractable decode symbiotic conversations coral reef ecosystems aid wider conservation efforts.

Language: Английский

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Stony coral tissue loss disease intervention with amoxicillin leads to a reversal of disease‐modulated gene expression pathways

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(19), P. 5394 - 5413

Published: Aug. 30, 2023

Abstract Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) remains an unprecedented outbreak due to its high mortality rate and rapid spread throughout Florida's Coral Reef wider Caribbean. A collaborative effort is underway evaluate strategies that mitigate the of SCTLD across colonies reefs, including restoration disease‐resistant genotypes, genetic rescue, intervention with therapeutics. We conducted in‐situ experiment in Southeast Florida assess molecular responses among SCTLD‐affected Montastraea cavernosa pre‐ post‐application most widely used method, CoreRx Base 2B amoxicillin. Through Tag‐Seq gene expression profiling apparently healthy, diseased, treated corals, we identified modulation metabolomic immune pathways following antibiotic treatment. In a complementary ex‐situ challenge experiment, exposed nursery‐cultured M. Orbicella faveolata fragments donor corals compare transcriptomic profiles clonal individuals from unexposed controls, those displaying signs, not signs. Suppression metabolic functional groups activation stress as result exposure were apparent both species. Amoxicillin treatment led ‘reversal’ majority implicated response, suggesting potential recovery application. addition increasing our understanding SCTLD, provide resource managers evidence antibiotics appears be successful may help modulate SCTLD. These results contribute feasibility assessments efforts outbreaks improved predictions reef health

Language: Английский

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Photosymbiont Density Is Correlated with Constitutive and Induced Immunity in the Facultatively Symbiotic Coral, Astrangia poculata

Integrative and Comparative Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 64(5), P. 1278 - 1290

Published: May 23, 2024

Scleractinian corals, essential ecosystem engineers that form the base of coral reef ecosystems, have faced unprecedented mortality in recent decades due to climate change-related stressors, including disease outbreaks. Despite this emergent threat many questions still remain regarding mechanisms underlying observed variation susceptibility. Recent data suggest at least some degree response may be linked variability relationship between host corals and their algal photosymbionts (Family Symbiodiniaceae). Still, nuances connections symbiosis immunity cnidarians, scleractinian poorly understood. Here, we leveraged an model species, facultatively symbiotic, temperate, Astrangia poculata, investigate associations symbiont density both constitutive induced immunity. We used a combination controlled immune challenges with heat-inactivated pathogens transcriptomic analyses. Our results demonstrate A. poculata mounts robust initial pathogenic stimuli is highly similar responses documented tropical corals. document positive responses, agreement preliminary studies poculata. A suite genes, those coding for antioxidant peroxiredoxin biosynthesis, are positively associated under conditions. Furthermore, distinct patterns response; low induce preventative mechanisms, whereas high mobilize energetic resources fuel humoral responses. In summary, our study reveals need more nuanced symbiosis-immune interplay across diverse preferably quantitative energy budget analysis full disentanglement these complex effects on pathogen

Language: Английский

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

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 30, 2023

Abstract Mutualistic symbioses between cnidarians and photosynthetic algae are modulated by complex interactions host immunity environmental conditions. Here, we investigate how symbiosis interacts with nutrient 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 only correlated anemones. Furthermore, had opposite effects on susceptibility pathogen oxidative challenges, suggesting distinct energetic priorities under scarce Finally, when compared those a facultative coral nonsymbiotic anemone, “defense” similarly regulated coral, but not anemone. This pattern suggests that capacity for influences immune cnidarians. In summary, certain pathways – including does necessarily predict pathogens, highlighting complexities cnidarian varying demands.

Language: Английский

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Characterization of trade-offs between immunity and reproduction in the coral species Astrangia poculata

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11, P. e16586 - e16586

Published: Dec. 4, 2023

Background Living organisms face ubiquitous pathogenic threats and have consequently evolved immune systems to protect against potential invaders. However, many components of the system are physiologically costly maintain engage, often drawing resources away from other organismal processes such as growth reproduction. Evidence a diversity has demonstrated that use complex resource allocation mechanisms manage competing needs optimize fitness. understanding patterns is limited across taxa. Cnidarians, which include ecologically important like hard corals, been historically understudied in context allocations. Improving allocation-associated trade-offs cnidarians critical for future ecological dynamics rapid environmental change. Methods Here, we characterize between constitutive immunity reproduction facultatively symbiotic coral Astrangia poculata . Male colonies underwent ex situ spawning sperm density was quantified. We then examined effects variable symbiont energetic budget on physiological traits, including activity reproductive investment. Furthermore, tested Results found associations metrics; melanin production significantly positively associated with carbohydrate concentration. failed document any output would be indicative trade-offs, possibly due experimental limitations. Our results provide preliminary framework studies investigating cnidarians.

Language: Английский

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Photosymbiosis reduces the environmental stress response under a heat challenge in a facultatively symbiotic coral

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: July 5, 2024

Abstract The symbiosis between corals and dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae is sensitive to environmental stress. oxidative bleaching hypothesis posits that extreme temperatures lead accumulation photobiont-derived reactive oxygen species ROS, which exacerbates coral stress response (ESR). To understand how photosymbiosis modulates ESRs, these responses must be explored in hosts out symbiosis. We leveraged facultatively symbiotic Astrangia poculata , offers an opportunity uncouple ESR across its two phenotypes (brown, white). Colonies both were exposed three temperature treatments for 15 days: (i) control (static 18 °C), (ii) heat challenge (increasing from 30 (iii) cold (decreasing 4 °C) after host gene expression was profiled. Cold challenged elicited widespread differential expression, however, there no differences phenotypes. In contrast, brown colonies exhibited greater plasticity under challenge, including enrichment cell cycle pathways involved controlling photobiont growth. While this greater, genes driving not associated with amplified (ESR) instead showed patterns a dampened challenge. This provides nuance suggests that, at least during early onset bleaching, photobionts reduce host’s elevated A. .

Language: Английский

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