Host-microbiota matching and epigenetic modulation drive Daphnia magna responses to cyanobacterial stress.

ABSTRACT: Microbial communities are crucial in host adaptation to stressors, particularly in dynamic ecosystems. In aquatic environments, Daphnia magna is ideal for studying host-microbiome interactions due to its ecological importance and sensitivity. Adaptation to toxins, such as those produced by cyanobacteria, may involve both host and microbial gene repertoires. Yet, the influence of microbiota composition and function on host performance remains poorly understood. Because epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation regulate gene expression and mediate adaptive responses, we also investigated whether these associations are reflected in DNA methylation levels. To address this, we conducted a fully factorial transplant experiment using microbiota-depleted Daphnia colonised with microbiota from

SUBMITTER: Bisschop K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12642672 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature