Source: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology - OIST
Date: January 23, 2014
Summary:
Researchers have conducted transcriptome analysis of a Porites australiensis coral colony and its symbiont Symbiodinium algae found in waters near Sesoko Island, Japan. Transcriptome analysis differs from traditional DNA sequencing in that it identifies genes expressed in distinct cell populations rather than focusing on an entire genome. Thus, researchers analyzing the coral holobiont (entire coral community) were able to distinguish genetic information belonging to both the host coral and the symbiont algae Symbiodinium. The relationship between the two groups are crucial: plants, fungi and bacteria can synthesize all of the 20 amino acids, which are building blocks of protein. However, animals cannot produce one or more of the essential amino acids. Shinzato and his colleagues examined the amino acid biosynthetic pathways of the Porites australiensis coral community and found that the coral host and its symbiont Symbiodinium algae were able to synthesize most of the non-essential amino acids. But, the former cannot synthesize essential amino acids and must rely on the latter’s essential amino acid production. Although long predicted, there is now evidence of a coral holobiont’s amino acid synthesis complementarity on a genetic level. Coral reefs are a jewel of marine diversity, but are facing coral bleaching and eventual death as a result of various stresses. Gaining a better understanding of the symbiotic relationship within coral holobionts will aid in coral reef preservation.
Relevance:
The article relates to what we learned in class about coral reefs: coral reefs are communities in which coral polyps (animals) and algae form mutualistic relationships. These relationships are very important because the coral provides the algae with a protected environment and compounds they need for photosynthesis. In return, the algae provide oxygen and aid the coral in waste removal. We were also taught that coral bleaching, in which the mutualistic algae are expelled the polyp, occurs as a stress response and is harmful--even fatal--to the coral. The study described in the article yielded molecular evidence on the symbiotic relationships, which is important as this added facet may help researchers better comprehend coral bleaching and preserve the vastly biodiverse coral reefs.by Emily Yin
Are there other mutualistic relationships where organisms rely on each other for amino acids?
ReplyDeleteAccording to Science News Online (http://www.sciencenewsline.com/articles/2013120223030032.html), microbes often engage in mutualistic relationships. It has been shown in experiments that one bacterial strain unable to produce a certain amino acid can grow in a culture with another strain unable to produce another amino acid; both strains are able to feed each other. Furthermore, the growth of these bacterial cells increased by 20% in comparison to the other strain that could produce all essential amino acids by itself. This is because specializing on the production of only a select number of necessary amino acids rendered the bacterial cells more efficient. In addition, legumes and a nitrogen-fixing bacteria associate in a mutualistic relationship in which the bacteria obtain carbon from the plant while it provides nitrogen to the plant in turn, which forms amino acid and nucleic acid building blocks.
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