Host Differentially Expressed Genes During Association With Its Defensive Endosymbiont

Mutualism, a beneficial relationship between two species, often requires intimate interaction between the host and symbiont to establish and maintain the partnership. The colonial marine bryozoan Bugula neritina harbors an as yet uncultured endosymbiont, "Candidatus Endobugula sertula," th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Biological bulletin (Lancaster) 2014-04, Vol.226 (2), p.152-163
Main Authors: MATHEW, MERIL, LOPANIK, NICOLE B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actins
Actins - genetics
Animals
Base Sequence
Biological research
Biology, Experimental
Bryostatins - genetics
Bryostatins - metabolism
Bryozoa - genetics
Bryozoa - metabolism
Bugula neritina
Complementary DNA
DNA
Endobugula sertula
Gammaproteobacteria - drug effects
Gammaproteobacteria - genetics
Gammaproteobacteria - physiology
Gene Expression
Genes
Genetic aspects
Host-parasite relationships
Insect larvae
Larvae
Larval development
Marine
Marine biology
Metabolites
Molecular Sequence Data
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Predation
Proteins
Symbionts
Symbiosis
Symbiosis - genetics
SYMBIOSIS AND PARASITOLOGY
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Summary:Mutualism, a beneficial relationship between two species, often requires intimate interaction between the host and symbiont to establish and maintain the partnership. The colonial marine bryozoan Bugula neritina harbors an as yet uncultured endosymbiont, "Candidatus Endobugula sertula," throughout its life stages. The bacterial symbiont is the putative source of bioactive complex polyketide metabolites, the bryostatins, which chemically defend B. neritina larvae from predation. Despite the presence of "Ca. Endobugula sertula" in all life stages of the host, deterrent bryostatins appear to be concentrated in reproductive portions of the host colony, suggesting an interaction between the two partners to coordinate production and distribution of the metabolites within the colony. In this study, we identified host genes that were differentially expressed in control colonies and in colonies cured of the symbiont. Genes that code for products similar to glycosyl hydrolase family 9 and family 20 proteins, actin, and a Rho-GDP dissociation inhibitor were significantly downregulated (more than twice) in antibiotic-cured non-reproductive zooids compared to control symbiotic ones. Differential expression of these genes leads us to hypothesize that the host B. neritina may regulate the distribution of the symbiont within the colony via mechanisms of biofilm degradation and actin rearrangement, and consequently, influences bryostatin localization to bestow symbiont-associated protection to larvae developing in the reproductive zooids.
ISSN:0006-3185
1939-8697
DOI:10.1086/BBLv226n2p152