We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Hub genes of Acropora hemprichii response to microplastics were screened based on bioinformatics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used bioinformatics to identify 26 microplastic-responsive hub genes in the coral Acropora hemprichii by comparing them to validated differential expression genes from zebrafish, constructing protein interaction networks to reveal the key molecular pathways through which corals respond to microplastic stress.
This study presents the urgent issue of microplastic pollution threatening coral reef ecosystems through an innovative cross-species conservation analysis strategy. Using 26 validated microplastic differential expression genes from zebrafish (Danio rerio) as query sequences, homologous alignment of the protein profile of Acropora hemprichii was performed via BLAST, successfully identifying 26 core homologous genes responsive to microplastics in corals. A protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed using the STRING database, with the top 8 hub genes selected through Cytoscape topology analysis and CytoHubba's MCC algorithm. Functional enrichment analysis (p<0.05) revealed significant enrichment of core genes in endoplasmic reticulum stress, MAPK signaling pathways, peroxisomes, and cytoplasmic DNA sensing pathways. For the first time, this study discovered that coral-specific genes participate in symbiotic maintenance pathways, where LRR1 proteins mediate coral-algal interactions, while microplastic-adsorbed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) competitively inhibit this process. The established "homology mapping-network topology-functional module" framework provides a novel perspective for deciphering microplastic-induced coral bleaching mechanisms, advancing applications in coral health biomarker development, stress-resistant strain breeding, and ecological risk assessment of microplastics, thereby contributing to global coral reef conservation.
More Papers Like This
Physiological and biochemical effects of microplastics on corals: Environmental and ecological impacts and mitigation strategies and policy options
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers review how microplastic ingestion disrupts coral physiology through oxidative stress, impaired larval settlement, reduced feeding efficiency, and vectoring of co-contaminants including heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants, with microplastic-induced bleaching linked to destabilization of the anthozoan-algae symbiosis.
Protein-protein network analysis.
AI summary Read the abstract
This study presents a protein-protein interaction network and LASSO regression analysis identifying key molecular targets through which microplastics may act in allergic rhinitis, using STRING database clustering and Genemama functional enrichment. The analysis identified three key gene targets and constructed a microplastic-target-pathway network to elucidate potential mechanistic pathways of microplastic-associated disease.
Effects of acute microplastic exposure on physiological parameters in Tubastrea aurea corals
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed the coral species Tubastrea aurea to acute concentrations of PVC microplastics and measured physiological responses. They found that microplastic exposure triggered stress responses including changes in protein content, oxidative stress markers, and energy metabolism in the corals. The study provides early evidence that microplastics can disrupt the physiology of azooxanthellate corals, which lack symbiotic algae and rely entirely on particle feeding.
Microplastic exposure under future oceanic conditions further threatens an endangered coral, Acropora cervicornis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed the threatened Caribbean coral Acropora cervicornis to microplastics under predicted future ocean conditions (acidification and warming) and found that combined stressors were more damaging than individual stressors. Growth rates declined and photosynthetic efficiency dropped most under the combined microplastic plus ocean warming and acidification treatment.
Exposure to global change and microplastics elicits an immune response in an endangered coral
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed an endangered coral species to combined stressors of elevated seawater temperature, reduced pH, and microplastics, finding that these global change factors together with local microplastic pollution elicit measurable immune responses, suggesting additive or synergistic stress effects on reef-building corals.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.