Data from: Fluorescent protein-mediated colour polymorphism in reef corals: multi-copy genes extend the adaptation/acclimatization potential to variable light environments

(2014) Data from: Fluorescent protein-mediated colour polymorphism in reef corals: multi-copy genes extend the adaptation/acclimatization potential to variable light environments. DRYAD doi:10.5061/dryad.5d079 [Dataset]

Abstract

Abs spectra of A milleporaAbsorption spectra of clarified tissue extracts of the HR and LR A. millepora morphs. The absorption spectrum of purified recombinant amilFP597 normalised to the peak value of the HR spectrum is included for comparison.amilFP597 copiesCopy numbers of amilFP597 variant genes determined by semi-quantitative PCR amplification of a conserved genomic exon 3 fragment and by diagnostic restriction analysis with ApeK1.amilFP597 indel (+) and indel (-) promoter variantsSequences of all promoter clones of amilFP597 coding sequence.amilFP597 exon 3 sequencesThe chromophore coding sequences of RFP-related genes of A. millepora were amplified using genomic DNA of LR, MR and HR morphs as the template with primers designed to conserved regions within exon 3 .amilFP597 promoterAnalysis of the amilFP597 promoter copy ratios in six A. millepora morphs with different levels of redness.Sequences RFP full length genesAll raw sequences used to reconstruct the amilFP597 gene in A. millepora.Full-length sequences of indel (-) and indel (+) promoter variants of the amilFP597 gene were obtained for the MR morph. These sequences, extending from the promoter region to the 3’UTR, were produced by joining the sequences of two overlapping PCR products covering the 5’ region [promoter to exon 3 amplified using primers pRFPlargeF (+) or pRFPsmallF (-) and RFP SP1] and the 3’ region (intron 2 to 3’UTR amplified using primers RFP_I2-3’U_F and RFP_I2-3’U_R2). Sequence differences in the overlap between the 5’ and 3’ region fragments were used to assign the latter to either the indel (+) or indel (-) promoter variant genes. The promoter-exon 3 and intron 2-3’UTR fragments were cloned and sequenced on both strands using vector primers and by primer walking. The assembled sequences have been submitted to GenBank as accessions KC818413 [indel (-) gene] and KC818414 [indel (+) gene].Spectroscopic characteristics of GFP-like proteinsAll spectroscopic data utilised for the characterisation of amilFP597, amilCP506, amilCP564 and amilFP605,The genomic framework that enables corals to adjust to unfavourable conditions is crucial for coral reef survival in a rapidly changing climate. We have explored the striking intraspecific variability in the expression of coral pigments from the green fluorescent protein (GFP) family to elucidate the genomic basis for the plasticity of stress responses among reef corals. We show that multi-copy genes can greatly increase the dynamic range over which corals can modulate transcript levels in response to the light environment. Using the red fluorescent protein amilFP597 in the coral Acropora millepora as a model, we demonstrate that its expression increases with light intensity, but both the minimal and maximal gene transcript levels vary markedly among colour morphs. The pigment concentration in the tissue of different morphs is strongly correlated with the number of gene copies with a particular promoter type. These findings indicate that colour polymorphism in reef corals can be caused by the environmentally regulated expression of multi-copy genes. High-level expression of amilFP597 is correlated with reduced photodamage of zooxanthellae under acute light stress, supporting a photoprotective function of this pigment. The cluster of light-regulated pigment genes can enable corals to invest either in expensive high-level pigmentation, offering benefits under light stress, or to rely on low tissue pigment concentrations and use the conserved resources for other purposes, which is preferable in less light-exposed environments. The genomic framework described here allows corals to pursue different strategies to succeed in habitats with highly variable light stress levels. In summary, our results suggest that the intraspecific plasticity of reef corals’ stress responses is larger than previously thought.

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Contributor: Joerg Wiedenmann

Download statistics