A family of crown-of-thorns starfish spine-secreted proteins modify adult conspecific behavior.

ABSTRACT: With growing interest in utilizing semiochemicals to control pest species, recent investigations have begun to consider semiochemicals to control outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS; Acanthaster cf. solaris), a corallivore contributing to coral reef degradation. In this study, differential gene expression analysis of adult CoTS spines led to the identification of (1) numerous G-protein coupled receptor genes enriched at the reproductive stage, possibly reflecting enhanced sensitivity to semiochemicals and (2) genes encoding secreted proteins at the non-reproductive stage. We also demonstrated that these proteins belong to an uncharacterized family of secreted proteins that are unique to Acanthaster spp., being released into the surrounding water. A synthetic pe

SUBMITTER: Harris RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11957666 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature