The comparative study of adaptation strategy for hydrogen sulfide between deep-sea polychaete species

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K18616
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Ecology/Environment
• Research Institution: Nihon University
• Principal Investigator: KOITO Tomoko 日本大学, 生物資源科学部, 講師 (10583148)
• Research Collaborator: INOUE Koji ; NAGASAKI Toshihiro
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: タウリン合成経路 / ヒポタウリン / チオタウリン / 深海性多毛類

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The deep-sea hydrothermal vents are known to belch out sulfide-rich fluid. Although hydrogen sulfide is harmful for animals, it has been observed the flourishing invertebrate communities. In this study, we focused on the two polychaete species (Paralvinella hessleri and phyllodocida) which inhabit sympatrically, to reveal the adaptation mechanism for ambient hydrogen sulfide. Based on our results, we found that both species synthesize the hypotaurine and taurine in their body using taurine synthesis pathway which was identical with mammalian pathway. Furthermore, the expression levels of enzyme genes which involve in taurine synthesis were up or down regulated by sulfide exposure level. Thus, it is considered that deep-sea polychaetes could response to ambient hydrogen sulfide and change the level of synthesis of taurine.

Free Research Field

分子生物学