title: Interclonal proteomic responses to predator exposure in Daphnia magna may depend on predator composition of habitats.
abstract: Phenotypic plasticity, the ability of one genotype to express different phenotypes in response to changing environmental conditions, is one of the most common phenomena characterizing the living world and is not only relevant for the ecology but also for the evolution of species. Daphnia, the water flea, is a textbook example for predator-induced phenotypic plastic defences; however, the analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying these inducible defences is still in its early stages. We exposed Daphnia magna to chemical cues of the predator Triops cancriformis to identify key processes underlying plastic defensive trait formation. To get a more comprehensive idea of this phenomenon, we studied four genotypes with five biological replicates each, originating from habitats characterized by different predator composition, ranging from predator-free habitats to habitats containing T. cancriformis. We analysed the morphologies as well as proteomes of predator-exposed and control animals. Three genotypes showed morphological changes when the predator was present. Using a high-throughput proteomics approach, we found 294 proteins which were significantly altered in their abundance after predator exposure in a general or genotype-dependent manner. Proteins connected to genotype-dependent responses were related to the cuticle, protein synthesis and calcium binding, whereas the yolk protein vitellogenin increased in abundance in all genotypes, indicating their involvement in a more general response. Furthermore, genotype-dependent responses at the proteome level were most distinct for the only genotype that shares its habitat with Triops. Altogether, our study provides new insights concerning genotype-dependent and general molecular processes involved in predator-induced phenotypic plasticity in D. magna.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 25, 81377, Munich, Germany.|Department Biology II, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Grosshaderner Street 2, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.|Animal Ecology I and BayCEER, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany.
authors.forename: Kathrin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Otte
authors.affiliation: Animal Ecology I and BayCEER, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany.
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schrank
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 25, 81377, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fröhlich
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 25, 81377, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Georg J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.affiliation: Animal Ecology I and BayCEER, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laforsch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003621:Daphnia / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D020387:Food Chain; D005838:Genotype; D010641:Phenotype; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D020543:Proteome / Q000235:genetics*; D040901:Proteomics
chemical_list: D020543:Proteome
keywords: Daphnia; inducible defence; interclonal differences; label-free quantification; phenotypic plasticity; proteomics