Biological responses in a soft coral (Scleronephthya gracillimum) to hyper-thermal and organic pollutants stressors

Abstract

The large number of differentially expressed genes responsive to stressful conditions in a soft coral, Scleronephthya gracillimum was isolated by differential display (DD-) PCR. The soft coral colonies were exposed to hyper-thermal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to simulate global warming and organic chemicals polluted situation. Among the 39 kinds of candidate genes identified from thermal stress exposed group, the expression level was increased in 22 genes and decreased in 17 genes. In the PAHs exposed group, 46 kinds of differentially expressed genes were isolated with 26 up- and 20 down-regulated genes. Both hyper-thermal and PAHs responsive genes are associated with variety spectrum of biological functions. The isolated and identified differentially expressed genes have a great potential to identify environmental stressors in global environmental changes and could be used as molecular biomarkers for biological responses against environmental changes.