Starvation decreases immunity and immune regulatory factor NF-κB in the starlet sea anemone Nematostella vectensis.

ABSTRACT: Lack of proper nutrition has important consequences for the physiology of all organisms, and nutritional status can affect immunity, based on many studies in terrestrial animals. Here we show a positive correlation between nutrition and immunity in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. Gene expression profiling of adult anemones shows downregulation of genes involved in nutrient metabolism, cellular respiration, and immunity in starved animals. Starved adult anemones also have reduced protein levels and activity of immunity transcription factor NF-κB. Starved juvenile anemones have increased sensitivity to bacterial infection and also have lower NF-κB protein levels, as compared to fed controls. Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA) is used to identify significantly correlat

SUBMITTER: Carrion PJA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10329013 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature