Corals Show Genetic Plasticity

Inshore corals thrive in a chaotic ecosystem thanks to dynamic gene-expression regulation, which may help the marine invertebrates better adapt to rising sea surface temperatures.

| 3 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
3:00
Share

Porites astreoidesWIKIMEDIA COMMONS, JAMES ST JOHNCompared with their offshore counterparts, corals that dwell close to the shoreline must contend with more-variable temperatures, turbid waters, and increased pollution. But for all the stresses of living inshore, in a November 7 Nature Ecology & Evolution paper researchers reported several genetic advantages. Inshore coral seem better able to adapt gene expression to suit new environments than offshore coral, the authors showed. The study is the first to demonstrate gene expression plasticity in coral, and the results could help researchers better predict how individual species will respond to climate change.

“The inshore coral acquired the ability to dynamically alter their gene expression. They were more responsive to the environment, more willing and able to change,” said coauthor Mikhail Matz, an associate professor of integrative biology at the University of Texas at Austin. “This is the first case we have shown in any [coral] population that adaptation happens at the level of gene expression plasticity.”

Rising sea surface temperatures have already compromised nearly 4,600 square miles of coral, as colorful symbiotic algae flee their reefs and leave behind the bone-white remains of their overheated hosts. A handful of coral species seem to be adapting to rising temperatures but, until now, the genetic underpinnings of that process remained mystery.

“Inshore environments are considered more affected by human ...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here

Keywords

Meet the Author

  • Joshua A. Krisch

    This person does not yet have a bio.
Share
3D illustration of a gold lipid nanoparticle with pink nucleic acid inside of it. Purple and teal spikes stick out from the lipid bilayer representing polyethylene glycol.
February 2025, Issue 1

A Nanoparticle Delivery System for Gene Therapy

A reimagined lipid vehicle for nucleic acids could overcome the limitations of current vectors.

View this Issue
Enhancing Therapeutic Antibody Discovery with Cross-Platform Workflows

Enhancing Therapeutic Antibody Discovery with Cross-Platform Workflows

sartorius logo
Considerations for Cell-Based Assays in Immuno-Oncology Research

Considerations for Cell-Based Assays in Immuno-Oncology Research

Lonza
An illustration of animal and tree silhouettes.

From Water Bears to Grizzly Bears: Unusual Animal Models

Taconic Biosciences
Sex Differences in Neurological Research

Sex Differences in Neurological Research

bit.bio logo

Products

Photo of a researcher overseeing large scale production processes in a laboratory.

Scaling Lentiviral Vector Manufacturing for Optimal Productivity

Thermo Fisher Logo
Collage-style urban graphic of wastewater surveillance and treatment

Putting Pathogens to the Test with Wastewater Surveillance

An illustration of an mRNA molecule in front of a multicolored background.

Generating High-Quality mRNA for In Vivo Delivery with lipid nanoparticles

Thermo Fisher Logo
Tecan Logo

Tecan introduces Veya: bringing digital, scalable automation to labs worldwide