Transcriptomic analysis of the soft coral Scleronephthya gracillimum responding to the elevated temperature

Abstract

Transcriptomic analyses of genes responding to the elevated seawater temperature condition in soft coral (Scleronephthya gracillimum) is described in this study. Soft coral colonies were exposed to high seawater temperature conditions (26°C, 28°C, 30°C) and their gene expression patterns were compared with control group (24°C). Gene candidates whose transcript levels changed in response to hyperthermal conditions were identified by microarray hybridization. The genes were found to function in post-translational modification, protein turnover and chaperones (O); translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis (J); signal transduction mechanisms (T); defense mechanisms (V); inorganic ion transport and metabolism (P); energy production and conversion (C); cytoskeleton (Z); cell cycle control, cell division and chromosome partitioning (D); lipid transport and metabolism (I); chromatin structure and dynamics (B); transcription (K); replication, recombination and repair (L); secondary metabolites biosynthesis, transport and catabolism (Q); extracellular structures (W); general function prediction (R); and finally, unknown function (S) based on KOG classification. These candidate genes were clustered by functions and especially analyzed through the oxidative stress signal in soft coral against the external changes. This study showed the heat stress-associated transcriptional changes revealed26°C, 28°C, 30°C) and their gene expression patterns were compared with control group (24°C). Gene candidates whose transcript levels changed in response to hyperthermal conditions were identified by microarray hybridization. The genes were found to function in post-translational modification, protein turnover and chaperones (O); translation,ribosomal structure and biogenesis (J); signal transduction mechanisms (T); defense mechanisms (V); inorganic ion transport and metabolism (P); energy production and conversion (C); cytoskeleton (Z); cell cycle control, cell division and