Data from: Whole transcriptome analysis reveals changes in expression of immune related genes during and after bleaching in a reef-building coral

Climate change is negatively affecting the stability of natural ecosystems, especially coral reefs. The dissociation of the symbiosis between reef-building corals and their algal symbiont, or coral bleaching, has been linked to increased sea surface temperatures. Coral bleaching has significant impacts on corals, including an increase in disease outbreaks that can permanently change the entire reef ecosystem. Yet, little is known about the impacts of coral bleaching on the coral immune system. In this study, whole transcriptome analysis of the coral holobiont and each of the associate components (i.e. coral host, algal symbiont and other associated microorganisms) was used to determine changes in gene expression in corals affected by a natural bleaching event as well as during the recovery phase. The main findings include evidence that the coral holobiont and the coral host have different responses to bleaching, and the host immune system appears suppressed even a year after a bleaching event. These results support the hypothesis that coral bleaching changes the expression of innate immune genes of corals, and these effects can last even after recovery of symbiont populations. Research on the role of immunity on coral’s resistance to stressors can help make informed predictions on the future of corals and coral reefs.气候变化正对自然生态系统的稳定性造成负面影响，尤以珊瑚礁为甚。造礁珊瑚与其藻类共生体之间的共生关系解离，亦即珊瑚白化（coral bleaching），已被证实与海表温度升高存在密切关联。珊瑚白化可对珊瑚造成诸多不利影响，包括提升疾病暴发风险，甚至可永久性重塑整个珊瑚礁生态系统。然而，目前学界对珊瑚白化对珊瑚免疫系统的影响仍所知有限。本研究针对珊瑚共生体（coral holobiont）及其各关联组分（即珊瑚宿主、藻类共生体及其他附属微生物）开展全转录组分析，以探究经历自然白化事件的珊瑚以及恢复期珊瑚的基因表达变化。主要研究结果显示，珊瑚共生体与珊瑚宿主对白化的响应存在显著差异，且即便白化事件发生一年后，宿主免疫系统仍处于受抑制状态。上述结果佐证了这一假说：珊瑚白化会改变珊瑚的先天免疫基因表达，且这类影响甚至会在共生种群恢复后仍持续存在。针对免疫系统在珊瑚抗胁迫过程中所发挥作用的研究，可为科学预判珊瑚及珊瑚礁的未来走向提供重要依据。