Cellular Membrane Accommodation to Thermal Oscillations in the Coral Seriatopora caliendrum

Abstract

In the present study, the membrane lipid composition of corals from a region with tidally induced upwelling was investigated. The coral community is subject to strong temperature oscillations yet flourishes as a result of adaptation. Glycerophosphocholine profiling of the dominant pocilloporid coral, Seriatopora caliendrum, was performed using a validated method. The coral inhabiting the upwelling region shows a definite shift in the ratio of lipid molecular species, covering several subclasses. Mainly, the coral possesses a higher percentage of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated plasmanylcholines and a lower percentage of polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholines. Higher levels of lyso–plasmanylcholines containing saturated or monounsaturated fatty acid chains were also revealed in coral tissue at the distal portion of the branch. Based on the physicochemical properties of these lipids, we proposed mechanisms for handling cellular membrane perturbations, such as tension, induced by thermal oscillation to determine how coral cells are able to spontaneously maintain their physiological functions, in both molecular and physical terms. Interestingly, the biochemical and biophysical properties of these lipids also have beneficial effects on the resistance, maintenance, and growth of the corals. The results of this study suggest that lipid metabolic adjustment is a major factor in the adaption of S. caliendrum in upwelling regions.

Transcriptomic changes with increasing algal symbiont reveal the detailed process underlying establishment of coral-algal symbiosis

“…Other metabolic processes enhanced by algal symbiosis include biosynthesis of the neurotoxins 69 , γ-glutamyl-β -cyanoalanine and γ-glutamyl-β-aminopropionitrile , biosynthesis of plasmanylcholine and metabolism of thiamine (vitamin B1). Plasmanylcholine is involved in acclimation to a temperature-fluctuating environment in Screlactinian corals 70 (Fig. 3 , Supplementary Figs S18 – S20 ).…”

Metabolomics Characterization of Scleractinia Corals with Different Life-History Strategies: A Case Study about Pocillopora meandrina and Seriatopora hystrix in the South China Sea

“…In our investigation, the lower content of DGCC and lower UI of structural lipids in S. hystrix may serve to acclimate to high temperature environments by adjusting cell membrane structure. Previous investigations showed that Seriatopora caliendrum could adapt to the upwelling region with strong temperature oscillations by adjusting the content and saturation of phosphatidylcholines and plasmanylcholines [37]. As for the biological functions of the newly identified phospholipids, they is still unknown.…”

Dynamics of coral-associated bacterial communities acclimated to temperature stress based on recent thermal history

“…Mechanisms responsible for physiological acclimation are not well understood, but the process is likely affected by thermal history 23 , 24 . Corals can resist temperature stress or acclimate to dramatic temperature fluctuations 25 – 28 . Interestingly, coral-associated bacterial communities also exhibit a similar phenomenon.…”