The absence and manipulation of the Aurelia aurita microbiome affect the host transcriptome

In this study, the response of jellyfish Aurelia aurita to the absence of bacteria and the challenge with foreign and potentially pathogenic bacteria was studied with a transcriptomics approach. Native and massively manipulated (almost sterile) polyps were challenged with foreign Klebsiella oxytoca M5aI, ubiquitous Pseudoalteromonas espejiana, and potentially pathogenic Vibrio anguillarum. Then total RNA extraction and RNA-analysis were followed. A particular focus was on host-derived Quorum sensing interference as an additional defense strategy.