Molecular insights into the Darwin paradox of coral reefs from the sea anemone Aiptasia

Abstract

Symbiotic cnidarians such as corals and anemones form highly productive and biodiverse coral-reef ecosystems in nutrient-poor ocean environments, a phenomenon known as Darwins Paradox. Resolving this paradox requires elucidating the molecular bases of efficient nutrient distribution and recycling in the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis. Using the sea anemone Aiptasia, we show that during symbiosis, the increased availability of glucose and the presence of the algae jointly induce the coordinated upregulation and re-localization of glucose and ammonium transporters. These molecular responses are critical to support symbiont functioning and organism-wide nitrogen assimilation through GS/GOGAT-mediated amino-acid biosynthesis. Our results reveal crucial aspects of the molecular mechanisms underlying nitrogen conservation and recycling in these organisms that allow them to thrive in the nitrogen-poor ocean environments. One-sentence summaryWhole-organism nitrogen assimilation fueled by glucose from symbiotic algae enables corals to flourish in oligotrophic waters.