The effect of bleaching on the terpene chemistry of Plexaurella fusifera: evidence that zooxanthellae are not responsible for sesquiterpene production.

Marine Biotechnology
Jamie L Frenz-RossRussell G Kerr

Abstract

The close association between marine invertebrates, zooxanthellae, and numerous bacteria gives rise to the question of the identity of the actual producer of secondary metabolites. In fall of 2005, a widespread bleaching event occurred throughout the Caribbean Sea in which some colonies of the gorgonian coral Plexaurella fusifera bleached. This study investigated whether zooxanthellae play a key role in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolite terpenes from P. fusifera. The extent of bleaching was examined by chlorophyll A analysis and also by zooxanthellae isolation and cell counting. The bleached and unbleached colonies were found to contain similar concentrations of eremophilene as the major terpene, and both exhibited similar biosynthetic capability as evaluated by the transformation of [C(1)-(3)H]-farnesyl diphosphate to the sesquiterpenes. Differences in bacterial communities between the bleached and unbleached colonies were analyzed using molecular techniques, and preliminary indications are that unbleached and bleached corals are dominated by low G + C firmicutes and gammaproteobacteria, respectively. It therefore appears that terpene biosynthesis can proceed independently of the zooxanthellae in P. fusifera, suggesting...Continue Reading

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Citations

Nov 6, 2008·Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology·Ann M TarrantJerzy Adamski
Dec 17, 2014·Chembiochem : a European Journal of Chemical Biology·Alexander SchifrinRita Bernhardt
Oct 6, 2011·Journal of Natural Products·Amanda J Welford, Ian Collins
Jan 30, 2010·Natural Product Reports·John W BluntMichèle R Prinsep
Jul 8, 2011·Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health·Shannon M CrinitiSandra Wolf
May 23, 2020·Chemistry : a European Journal·Houchao Xu, Jeroen S Dickschat

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