Blue Protein Cass Blue in Cassiopea xamachana and its Function in Phototaxis
Department
Biological Sciences
Faculty Advisor
Matthew DeGennaro
Start Date
30-9-2020 9:00 AM
End Date
30-9-2020 10:00 AM
Abstract
The upside-down jellfish Cassiopea xamachana possesses brilliant blue laplets of unknown function. The heterodimic blue protein thought to underlie this coloration, CassBlue, has been postulated to play a role in the attenuation of solar radiation as well in the maintenance of the symbiotic relationship between the jellyfish and its photosynthetic intracellular dinoflagellates, Symbiodiniaceae. However, the function remains unknown. As an initial step in establishing the C. xamachana as a model system for cnidarian-algal symbiosis, we intend to use CRISPR/Cas9 to knock out the gene coding for CassBlue. As aposymbiotic C. xamachana individuals can be created by experimental manipulation, we then intend to study the effect of CassBlue mutants in symbiotic and aposymbiotic animals with respect to responsiveness to differences in light intensity. More broadly, the development of C. xamachanaas a tractable genetic model is critical for the study of cnidarian symbiosis, the mutualistic relationship that drives coral reefs throughout the world's tropics. While corals spawn infrequently and require multiple years to reach sexual maturity, C. xamachana allow us to study the same symbiotic interactions in a system where spawning occurs daily and sexual maturity can be achieved in several months. In addition to the biological questions surrounding CassBlue, the readily observable mutant phenotype makes this gene an apt initial target in the creation of a new genetic system.
File Type
Event
Blue Protein Cass Blue in Cassiopea xamachana and its Function in Phototaxis
The upside-down jellfish Cassiopea xamachana possesses brilliant blue laplets of unknown function. The heterodimic blue protein thought to underlie this coloration, CassBlue, has been postulated to play a role in the attenuation of solar radiation as well in the maintenance of the symbiotic relationship between the jellyfish and its photosynthetic intracellular dinoflagellates, Symbiodiniaceae. However, the function remains unknown. As an initial step in establishing the C. xamachana as a model system for cnidarian-algal symbiosis, we intend to use CRISPR/Cas9 to knock out the gene coding for CassBlue. As aposymbiotic C. xamachana individuals can be created by experimental manipulation, we then intend to study the effect of CassBlue mutants in symbiotic and aposymbiotic animals with respect to responsiveness to differences in light intensity. More broadly, the development of C. xamachanaas a tractable genetic model is critical for the study of cnidarian symbiosis, the mutualistic relationship that drives coral reefs throughout the world's tropics. While corals spawn infrequently and require multiple years to reach sexual maturity, C. xamachana allow us to study the same symbiotic interactions in a system where spawning occurs daily and sexual maturity can be achieved in several months. In addition to the biological questions surrounding CassBlue, the readily observable mutant phenotype makes this gene an apt initial target in the creation of a new genetic system.