[Coral-List] New paper on the implication of TGFbeta in the coral symbiosis

[berthelier.j at laposte.net]

Dear coral list, 



We recently published a paper on the implication of the TGFbeta in the onset of symbiosis between larvae of the coral 

Fungia scutaria and the dinoflagellate Symbiodinium sp. (Clade C1f) 

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00338-017-1621-6 




or 




https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-017-1621-6 







This study reveals the presence of the TGFβ pathway in the coral Fungia scutaria that clusters with TGFβ sensu stricto (ss) from other animals. 



In functional studies of F. scutaria larvae, we show that (1) TGFβ ss mRNA is expressed during early stages of development prior to the onset of symbiosis; (2) apparent interference of the TGFβ pathway impairs the onset of symbiosis; and (3) this effect is associated with an increase of cytotoxic nitric oxide secretion, an immune response. This work highlights the importance of the TGFβ pathway in early life-history stages of corals by suggesting that its inhibition impacts the onset of symbiosis. 



Best regards, 



Jérémy Berthelier