Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Governing Cnidarian/Algal Symbioses

控制刺胞动物/藻类共生的细胞和分子机制

• 批准号: 0233363
• 负责人: Virginia Weis
• 金额: $ 37.5万
• 依托单位: Oregon State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2003
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2003-02-01 至 2006-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0233363&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Cellular; Molecular; Mechanisms; Governing; Cnidarian

This study will examine the cellular and molecular interactions between cnidarians, such as reef-building corals, and their single-celled symbiotic algae that reside within their tissues. Weis' group will identify and characterize genes in host corals and closely related anemones that are turned on specifically due to their symbiosis with algae. The time-course for the expression of these so-called symbiosis genes during the initial establishment of the cnidarian host and symbiotic algae partnership will be explored in microscopic larval corals that acquire their algae from their environment, by ingesting them with food. New state-of-the-art genetic techniques will be used to block the correct functioning of the symbiosis gene products. This approach will help determine the role that symbiosis genes play in the regulation and maintenance of coral/algal symbioses.Symbiotic associations between two or more unrelated organisms are found throughout every ecosystem. These relationships encompass a spectrum of lifestyles, from mutualistic to parasitic, and from extracellular to intracellular. Among the most significant marine mutualisms are those between corals and their algal symbionts, which together form both the trophic and structural foundation of the entire coral reef ecosystem. A great deal is known about corals on a macroscale level, such as their global distribution and ecology. However, microscale processes of inter-partner communication and regulation that occur during the initiation, establishment, and maintenance of these symbioses remain largely unexplored. A lack of basic knowledge of these processes has hampered efforts to understand the global phenomenon of coral bleaching, which is the result of the breakdown of the symbiosis. Widespread bleaching, which leads to coral death and reef degradation, is considered a serious environmental threat. This study will take a multileveled approach to the examination of the events surrounding the initiation, establishment and maintenance of symbioses between corals and their symbiotic algae.

这项研究将研究刺胞动物（例如造礁珊瑚）与其组织内的单细胞共生藻类之间的细胞和分子相互作用。 韦斯的小组将识别和表征宿主珊瑚和密切相关的海葵中的基因，这些基因由于与藻类的共生而被特别开启。 在刺胞动物宿主和共生藻类伙伴关系最初建立期间，这些所谓的共生基因表达的时间过程将在微观幼虫珊瑚中进行探索，这些幼虫珊瑚通过与食物一起从环境中获取藻类。 新的最先进的遗传技术将被用来阻止共生基因产物的正确功能。 这种方法将有助于确定共生基因在珊瑚/藻类共生的调节和维持中所起的作用。在每个生态系统中都发现两个或多个不相关生物之间的共生关联。 这些关系涵盖了一系列生活方式，从共生到寄生，从细胞外到细胞内。 最重要的海洋共生关系是珊瑚与其藻类共生体之间的共生关系，它们共同构成了整个珊瑚礁生态系统的营养和结构基础。 人们对珊瑚有很多宏观层面的了解，例如它们的全球分布和生态。 然而，在这些共生体的启动、建立和维持过程中发生的伙伴间沟通和调节的微观过程在很大程度上仍未被探索。 由于缺乏对这些过程的基本了解，阻碍了了解全球珊瑚白化现象的努力，珊瑚白化是共生关系崩溃的结果。 广泛的白化导致珊瑚死亡和珊瑚礁退化，被认为是严重的环境威胁。 这项研究将采用多层次的方法来检查围绕珊瑚及其共生藻类之间共生关系的启动、建立和维持的事件。