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A Bioassay for Determining Symbiotic Zooxanthellae Shape Control Using Lectin SLL-2 from the Octocoral Sinularia
Mitsuru Jimbo1, Ryota Takeuchi2,3, Mayu Yoshino2
1Department of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan. mjinbo@kitasato-u.ac.jp.
Abstract:
Symbiosis with zooxanthellae is essential for survival of corals. Using a bioassay, we report the H-type lectin SLL-2 purified from the octocoral Sinularia lochmodes to restrict zooxanthellae form to spherical cells. However, the factor for initiating or maintaining a symbiotic relationship between a host and zooxanthellae has not been found in many corals. This bioassay is useful for evaluating the role of a lectin as a symbiosis-related factor.
