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DMSP biosynthesis by an animal and its role in coral thermal stress response
Raina, J.-B.; Tapiolas, D.M.; Forêt, S.; Lutz, A.; Abrego, D.; Ceh, J.; Seneca, F.O.; Clode, P.L.; Bourne, D.G.; Willis, B.L.; Motti, C.A. (2013). DMSP biosynthesis by an animal and its role in coral thermal stress response. Nature (Lond.) 502(7473): 677-680 + methods & data annexes. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature12677
In: Nature: International Weekly Journal of Science. Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 0028-0836; e-ISSN 1476-4687, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keyword
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Raina, J.-B.
  • Tapiolas, D.M.
  • Forêt, S.
  • Lutz, A.
  • Abrego, D.
  • Ceh, J.
  • Seneca, F.O.
  • Clode, P.L.
  • Bourne, D.G.
  • Willis, B.L.
  • Motti, C.A.

Abstract
    Globally, reef-building corals are the most prolific producers of dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP), a central molecule in the marine sulphur cycle and precursor of the climate-active gas dimethylsulphide. At present, DMSP production by corals is attributed entirely to their algal endosymbiont, Symbiodinium. Combining chemical, genomic and molecular approaches, we show that coral juveniles produce DMSP in the absence of algal symbionts. DMSP levels increased up to 54% over time in newly settled coral juveniles lacking algal endosymbionts, and further increases, up to 76%, were recorded when juveniles were subjected to thermal stress. We uncovered coral orthologues of two algal genes recently identified in DMSP biosynthesis, strongly indicating that corals possess the enzymatic machinery necessary for DMSP production. Our results overturn the paradigm that photosynthetic organisms are the sole biological source of DMSP, and highlight the double jeopardy represented by worldwide declining coral cover, as the potential to alleviate thermal stress through coral-produced DMSP declines correspondingly.

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