Comparative Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analysis of Symbiotic and Non-Symbiotic Coral Species Under Ocean Acidification and Thermal Stress Conditions

Sneha Kulkarni, Dr. Karthik Srinivasan
Department of Pharmacology, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

Abstract

Coral reefs rank among the planet’s most varied and ecologically vital ecosystems, yet they face growing threats from climate change-related stressors like ocean acidification (OA) and rising sea surface temperatures (SSTs). The health of corals is significantly influenced by their symbiotic relationships with dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae), which affect their ability to withstand environmental stress. This research offers a comparative analysis of the transcriptomes and proteomes of symbiotic (Acropora millepora) and non-symbiotic (Tubastraea coccinea) coral species under controlled OA and thermal stress conditions. To uncover the molecular mechanisms behind stress responses, high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and quantitative proteomics with tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling were utilized. Our results indicate distinct expression patterns in crucial genes and proteins linked to oxidative stress, metabolic reprogramming, apoptosis, and calcification processes. Symbiotic corals showed increased expression of heat shock proteins, antioxidant enzymes, and genes related to photosynthesis, while non-symbiotic corals mainly upregulated proteins involved in stress response and metabolic adaptation. The integrative analysis revealed unique molecular signatures associated with the presence or absence of symbiosis, indicating that symbiotic corals use their algal partners to better manage stress. These findings offer essential insights into coral resilience mechanisms and support conservation strategies aimed at maintaining reef biodiversity in the face of global climate change.

Keywords

Coral ecosystems, Acidification of oceans, Heat stress, Symbiotic relationships, Study of transcripts, Study of proteins, Acropora millepora, Tubastraea coccinea, Response to stress, Changes in climate