Contrasting Proteomic Responses of Adult and Larval Coral to High Temperatures

Climate change-induced increases in seawater temperature continue to impact coral reef ecosystems globally. There is a consequent need characterize the responses of corals thermal stress understand molecular processes underpinning these and identify hallmarks resilience. Here we used an iTRAQ approach compare proteomes adult ( Pocillopora acuta ) that had been thermally conditioned at control (26°C) or elevated (29.5°C) for three reproductive cycles, as well larvae released by corals. We found responded more high-temperature exposure protein level than their parents different proteins were affected between life stages; single was up-regulated high temperatures both adults offspring, its identity currently unknown. Similarly, cellular pathways hosts dinoflagellate endosymbionts; involved translation trafficking most likely be former, with photosynthesis being thermo-sensitive process latter. Collectively, findings highlight importance considering stage composition holobiont when using molecular-scale data model associated future ocean warming.