title: DMSP biosynthesis by an animal and its role in coral thermal stress response.
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.
authors.affiliation: 1] AIMS@JCU, and School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia [2] Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB3, Townsville MC, Townsville, Queensland 4810, Australia [3] ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.
authors.forename: Jean-Baptiste
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Raina
authors.forename: Dianne M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Tapiolas
authors.forename: Sylvain
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Forêt
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lutz
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abrego
authors.forename: Janja
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ceh
authors.forename: François O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Seneca
authors.forename: Peta L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Clode
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Bourne
authors.forename: Bette L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.forename: Cherie A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Motti
mesh_terms: D000179:Acrylates / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D020418:Algal Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D057231:Climate Change; D010788:Photosynthesis; D064210:Secondary Metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013452:Sulfonium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D013559:Symbiosis; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000179:Acrylates; D020418:Algal Proteins; D013452:Sulfonium Compounds; C068078:dimethylpropiothetin; C036658:acrylic acid