Project description:the identity of coral proteins expressed at onset of metamorphosis (swimming planula to ‘settler’ stages) was investigated using planulae released from 4 distinct brooding Pocillopora acuta coral colonies, to consider maternal carry-over effects on the variability of larval proteomes.the identity of coral proteins expressed at onset of metamorphosis (swimming planula to ‘settler’ stages) was investigated using planulae released from 4 distinct brooding Pocillopora acuta coral colonies, to consider maternal carry-over effects on the variability of larval proteomes.
Project description:Probiotic applications show great potential for coral restoration, though conventional probiotics may form only transient associations with hosts. A proof-of-concept study revealed that Ruegeria MC10, an evolutionarily endosymbiont lineage, could persistently colonize coral tissue and enhance host health throughout an 8-month field experiment. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying successful symbiosis, we conducted a comparative proteomic analysis of three Ruegeria strains – the MC10 representative MC10-B4 and two coral-derived counterpart, MC0-A5 and MC15-BG7 - in response to metabolites from the coral Acropora pruinosa. Following 4-hour exposures to coral tissue extracts or autoclaved 0.22 μm-filtered seawater (AFSW) controls at 28°C during exponential phase, we performed comprehensive protein characterization by LC-MS/MS. Differential protein expression profiles revealed strain-specific adaptations.
Project description:Understanding the phenotypic plasticity of corals is crucial for uncovering mechanisms of resilience in warming oceans, yet the biological significance of coral color morphs still needs to be explored. Using an innovative multi-omic approach (proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics), we provide the first comprehensive analysis of differences between pink and brown morphs of Pocillopora verrucosa. Our data reveal key taxa, potentially pathogenic or beneficial, associated with each morph, and suggest different strategies for each color morph to cope with heat stress, either expressing proteins involved in UV protection and heterotrophic activity or enhanced levels of heat stress resilience and DNA repair. These findings offer insights into the phenotypic plasticity of coral color morphs and their differential responses to climate change.