Green fluorescent protein-like pigments optimise the internal light environment in symbiotic reef-building corals
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Pigments homologous to the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) have been proposed to fine-tune the internal light microclimate of corals, facilitating photoacclimation of photosynthetic coral symbionts (Symbiodiniaceae) to life in different reef habitats and environmental conditions. However, direct measurements of the in vivo light conditions inside the coral tissue supporting this conclusion are lacking. Here, we quantified the intra-tissue spectral light environment of corals expressing GFP-like proteins from widely different light regimes. We focus on (1) photoconvertible red fluorescent proteins (pcRFPs), thought to enhance photosynthesis in mesophotic habitats via wavelength conversion, and (2) chromoproteins (CPs), which provide photoprotection to the symbionts in shallow water via light absorption. Optical microsensor measurements indicated that both pigment groups strongly alter the coral tissue light environment. Estimates derived from light spectra measured in pcRFP-containing corals showed that fluorescence emission can contribute to >50% of orange-red light available to the photosynthetic symbionts at mesophotic depths. We further show that upregulation of pink CPs in shallow-water corals during bleaching leads to a reduction of orange light by 10-20% compared to low-CP tissue. Thus, screening by CPs has an important role in mitigating the light-enhancing effect of coral tissue scattering during bleaching. Our results provide the first experimental quantification of the importance of GFP-like proteins in fine-tuning the light microclimate of corals during photoacclimation.
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
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Artikelnummer | e73521 |
Tidsskrift | eLife |
Vol/bind | 11 |
Antal sider | 24 |
ISSN | 2050-084X |
DOI | |
Status | Udgivet - 2022 |
Bibliografisk note
Funding Information:
This project was supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (702911-BioMIC-FUEL, D.W.), the Gordon and Betty More Foundation (grant GBM 9325 to D.W. & grant GBMF9206 https://doi.org/10.37807/GBMF9206 to MK) and the
Funding Information:
Natural Environment Research Council (grant number NE/S003533/2 to JW and CDA).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, eLife Sciences Publications Ltd. All rights reserved.
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