Cellular mechanisms of high capacity of asexual reproduction and regeneration of reef-building corals

本研究旨在了解珊瑚高无性繁殖能力和长寿的基本机制。主要研究结果如下：（1）鹿角珊瑚在发育过程中端粒长度缩短。这表明，估计珊瑚年龄是可能的，至少在一些快速增长的珊瑚。(2)然而，在不同发育阶段的束状乳节的端粒长度没有明显的差异。体细胞组织G.束状细胞端粒酶活性高。目前的结果表明，端粒的变化率可能是不同的珊瑚物种。要了解珊瑚的衰老过程，就必须研究珊瑚干细胞的自我更新和分化。

This study aimed to understand the basic mechanisms of high capacity of asexual reproduction and long life spans of corals. The major findings are; (1) Telomere length of the coral Acropora digitifera shortens during development. This suggests that estimation of coral age is possible at least in some fast growing corals. (2) However, significant difference in the telomere length could not be detected among different developmental stages of Galaxea fascicularis. Somatic tissues of G. fascicularis exhibited high telomerase activities. The present results suggest that telomere rate of change might be different among coral species. Self-renewal and differentiation of stem-like cells in coral should be studied if we want to understand aging of coral.