title: Depth-specific fluctuations of gene expression and protein abundance modulate the photophysiology in the seagrass Posidonia oceanica.
abstract: Here we present the results of a multiple organizational level analysis conceived to identify acclimative/adaptive strategies exhibited by the seagrass Posidonia oceanica to the daily fluctuations in the light environment, at contrasting depths. We assessed changes in photophysiological parameters, leaf respiration, pigments, and protein and mRNA expression levels. The results show that the diel oscillations of P. oceanica photophysiological and respiratory responses were related to transcripts and proteins expression of the genes involved in those processes and that there was a response asynchrony between shallow and deep plants probably caused by the strong differences in the light environment. The photochemical pathway of energy use was more effective in shallow plants due to higher light availability, but these plants needed more investment in photoprotection and photorepair, requiring higher translation and protein synthesis than deep plants. The genetic differentiation between deep and shallow stands suggests the existence of locally adapted genotypes to contrasting light environments. The depth-specific diel rhythms of photosynthetic and respiratory processes, from molecular to physiological levels, must be considered in the management and conservation of these key coastal ecosystems.
authors.affiliation: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Procaccini
authors.affiliation: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruocco
authors.affiliation: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Lázaro
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marín-Guirao
authors.affiliation: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dattolo
authors.affiliation: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brunet
authors.affiliation: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: D'Esposito
authors.affiliation: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lauritano
authors.affiliation: Universitá della Calabria, Rende, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazzuca
authors.affiliation: Universitá della Calabria, Rende, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilia Anna
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.affiliation: Universitá della Calabria, Rende, Italy.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bernardo
authors.affiliation: Universitá della Calabria, Rende, Italy.
authors.forename: Amalia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piro
authors.affiliation: Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beer
authors.affiliation: Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Björk
authors.affiliation: Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gullström
authors.affiliation: Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.|Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand.
authors.forename: Pimchanok
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Buapet
authors.affiliation: Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lina M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Rasmusson
authors.affiliation: LARSyS, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Felisberto
authors.affiliation: MARE Centre, University de Liege, Liege, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gobert
authors.affiliation: University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Runcie
authors.affiliation: CCMAR, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: CCMAR, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Olivé
authors.affiliation: CCMAR, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Monya M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: CCMAR, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barrote
authors.affiliation: CCMAR, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D035961:Alismatales / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D019069:Cell Respiration; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D010788:Photosynthesis; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000502:physiology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins