Increased NF-κB expression is correlated with resistance to pathogen infection in the sea anemone Aiptasia and resistance to thermal stress in the coral Pocillopora damicornis

Here we have investigated the role of transcription factor NF-κB in establishment and loss of symbiosis in the coral Pocillopora damicornis. P. damicornis individual hosting Durusdinium spp. symbionts showed higher basal NF-κB expression and decreased heat-induced bleaching than two individuals hosting Cladocopium spp. symbionts. By genome-wide gene expression profiling and genomic promoter analysis, we have identified putative NF-κB target genes that may be involved in thermal bleaching, symbiont maintenance, and/or protection in P. damicornis. This work suggests that modulation of NF-κB and immunity can be important for cnidarian symbiosis as well as resistance to pathogens and bleaching