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Transcriptomic profiling of a facultative symbiotic white gorgonian provides insights into symbiosis regulation in octocorals
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DOI：10.1007/s00338-026-02916-w.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Symbiotic relationships play important physiological roles in cnidarians; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying their establishment and regulation have only been elucidated in model systems, like the anemone Exaiptasia sp., while remaining largely unexplored in other cnidarian groups, including gorgonians. In this study, we investigate the transcriptional changes associated with facultative symbiosis in the white gorgonian, Eunicella singularis, a species that occurs in a non-symbiotic state in caves and deeper waters, while occurring in a symbiotic state in shallow or light-exposed habitats. We identified nearly 3000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between symbiotic and non-symbiotic colonies. Gene co-expression network analysis identified six significant metamodules, accounting for 62% of the transcripts, and pointing to key functional differences between both symbiotic states. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses showed that genes upregulated in symbiotic colonies were enriched in glial cell development, epidermal growth factor signaling, and cellular stress responses, suggesting enhanced cellular proliferation and protection mechanisms. In contrast, non-symbiotic colonies showed enrichment in pathways related to cellular communication, response to abiotic stress, and metabolic regulation. In total, 134 transcripts were identified as homologous to Exaiptasia sp. symbiosis-associated genes, and several genes upregulated in Eunicella were also linked to the transport of photosynthetically fixed carbon and the facilitated glucose transporter (GLUT8) in symbiotic colonies. Our results provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying symbiosis in octocorals. Furthermore, the identification of conserved symbiosis-related genes across cnidarians suggests that common genetic pathways might be involved in maintaining symbiosis with dinoflagellates.
Keywords:
Cnidaria
Octocorallia
Eunicella singularis
Dinoflagellate
Transcriptome
Zooxanthellae
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