Seasonal mesophotic coral bleaching of Stylophora pistillata in the Northern Red Sea.

Coral bleaching occurs when environmental stress induces breakdown of the coral-algae symbiosis and the host initiates algae expulsion. Two types of coral bleaching had been thoroughly discussed in the scientific literature; the first is primarily associated with mass coral bleaching events; the second is a seasonal loss of algae and/or pigments. Here, we describe a phenomenon that has been witnessed for repeated summers in the mesophotic zone (40-63 m) in the northern Red Sea: seasonal bleaching and recovery of several hermatypic coral species. In this study, we followed the recurring bleaching process of the common coral Stylophora pistillata. Bleaching occurred from April to September with a 66% decline in chlorophyll a concentration, while recovery began in October. Using aquarium and transplantation experiments, we explored environmental factors such as temperature, photon flux density and heterotrophic food availability. Our experiments and observations did not yield one single factor, alone, responsible for the seasonal bleaching. The dinoflagellate symbionts (of the genus Symbiodinium) in shallow (5 m) Stylophora pistillata were found to have a net photosynthetic rate of 56.98-92.19 µmol O2 cm(-2) day(-1). However, those from mesophotic depth (60 m) during months when they are not bleached are net consumers of oxygen having a net photosynthetic rate between -12.86 - (-10.24) µmol O2 cm(-2) day(-1). But during months when these mesophotic corals are partially-bleached, they yielded higher net production, between -2.83-0.76 µmol O2 cm(-2) day(-1). This study opens research questions as to why mesophotic zooxanthellae are more successfully meeting the corals metabolic requirements when Chl a concentration decreases by over 60% during summer and early fall.

Structural elements responsible for conversion of streptavidin to a pseudoenzyme.

Avidin enhances the hydrolysis of biotinyl p-nitrophenyl ester (BNP) under mild alkaline conditions, whereas streptavidin prevents hydrolysis of BNP up to pH 12. Recently, we imposed hydrolytic activity on streptavidin by rational mutagenesis, based on the molecular elements responsible for the hydrolysis by avidin. Three mutants were designed, whereby the desired features, the distinctive L124R point mutation (M1), the L3,4 loop replacement (M2), and the combined mutation (M3), were transferred from avidin to streptavidin. The crystal structures of the mutants, in complex with biotinyl p-nitroanilide (BNA), the stable amide analogue of BNP, were determined. The results demonstrate that the point mutation alone has little effect on hydrolysis, and BNA exhibits a conformation similar to that of streptavidin. Substitution of a lengthier L3,4 loop (from avidin to streptavidin), resulted in an open conformation, thus exposing the ligand to solvent. Moreover, the amide bond of BNA was flipped relative to that of the streptavidin and M1 complexes, thus deflecting the nitro group toward Lys-121. Consequently, the leaving group potential of the nitrophenyl group of BNP is increased, and M2 hydrolyzes BNP at pH values >8.5. To better emulate the hydrolytic potential of avidin, M3 was required. The combination of loop replacement and point mutation served to further increase the leaving group potential by interaction of the nitro group with Arg-124 and Lys-121. The information derived from this study may provide insight into the design of enzymes and transfer of desired properties among homologous proteins.