Regulation of apoptotic mediators reveals dynamic responses to thermal stress in the reef building coral Acropora millepora.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mass coral bleaching is increasing in scale and frequency across the world's coral reefs and is being driven primarily by increased levels of thermal stress arising from global warming. In order to understand the impacts of projected climate change upon corals reefs, it is important to elucidate the underlying cellular mechanisms that operate during coral bleaching and subsequent mortality. In this respect, increased apoptotic cell death activity is an important cellular process that is associated with the breakdown of the mutualistic symbiosis between the cnidarian host and their dinoflagellate symbionts.

Methodology/principal findings

The PRESENT study reports the impacts of different stressors (colchicine and heat stress) on three phases of apoptosis: (i) the p

SUBMITTER: Pernice M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3025915 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature