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Cell cycle propagation is driven by light–dark stimulation in a cultured symbiotic dinoflagellate isolated from corals

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Abstract

Endosymbiosis is an intriguing plant–animal interaction in the dinoflagellate–Cnidaria association. Throughout the life span of the majority of corals, the dinoflagellate Symbiodinium sp. is a common symbiont residing inside host gastrodermal cells. The mechanism of regulating the cell proliferation of host cells and their intracellular symbionts is critical for a stable endosymbiotic association. In the present study, the cell cycle of a cultured Symbiodinium sp. (clade B) isolated from the hermatypic coral Euphyllia glabrescens was investigated using flow cytometry. The results showed that the external light–dark (L:D) stimulation played a pivotal role in regulating the cell cycle process. The sequential light (40–100 μmol m−2 s−1 ~ 12 h) followed by dark (0 μmol m−2 s−1 ~ 12 h) treatment entrained a single cell cycle from the G1 to the S phase, and then to the G2/M phase, within 24 h. Blue light (~450 nm) alone mimicked regular white light, while lights of wavelengths in the red and infrared area of the spectrum had little or no effect in entraining the cell cycle. This diel pattern of the cell cycle was consistent with changes in cell motility, morphology, and photosynthetic efficiency (F v /F m ). Light treatment drove cells to enter the growing/DNA synthesis stage (i.e., G1 to S to G2/M), accompanied by increasing motility and photosynthetic efficiency. Inhibition of photosynthesis by 3-(3, 4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethyl-urea (DCMU) treatment blocked the cell proliferation process. Dark treatment was required for the mitotic division stage, where cells return from G2/M to G1. Two different pools of adenylyl cyclase (AC) activities were shown to be involved in the growing/DNA synthesis and mitotic division states, respectively.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from the National Science Council NSC 93–2311-B-291-002, NSC 93-2311-B-291-003 and NSC 94-2311-B-291-003, and by intramural funding from the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium. Constructive comments on the manuscript from two anonymous reviewers and the editor are greatly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Marine Biotechnology, National Dong Hwa University, 2 Houwan Road, Checheng, 944, Pingtung, Taiwan, ROC

    L.-H. Wang, Y.-H. Liu, Y.-M. Ju, Y.-Y. Hsiao & C.-S. Chen

  2. Taiwan Coral Research Center, National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium, National Dong Hwa University, 2 Houwan Road, Checheng, 944, Pingtung, Taiwan, ROC

    L.-H. Wang, Y.-H. Liu, Y.-M. Ju, Y.-Y. Hsiao & C.-S. Chen

  3. Cheng Shiu University, Niao-Song, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC

    L.-S. Fang

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  1. L.-H. Wang
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Correspondence to C.-S. Chen.

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Communicated by Biology Editor Dr Michael Lesser

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Wang, LH., Liu, YH., Ju, YM. et al. Cell cycle propagation is driven by light–dark stimulation in a cultured symbiotic dinoflagellate isolated from corals. Coral Reefs 27, 823–835 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-008-0434-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-008-0434-z

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