PARENT SESSION
Poster Session 39: Late Breaking and Newsworthy Posters
Friday, August 12, 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM, Exhibit Hall 220 A-E, Level 2, Palais des congrès de Montréal

Induction and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in Aiptasia pallida.

Le, Thuy^*,1, Rajan, Jessen^*,1, Romagni, Joanne¹, ¹ University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX

ABSTRACT- There are a variety of enzymes that act as defense chemicals under stress conditions. One of these is superoxide dismutase (SOD). The role of SOD is to scavenge free radicals, including singlet oxygen and superoxide radicals, to prevent eventual peroxidation of membranes and cell death. In this study, we have documented the induction and activity of SOD isozymes in the symbiotic anemone, Aiptasia pallida, under chronic and acute stress. Our objective was to determine the advantages of the symbiotic relationship under common environmental stresses. We have documented the responses of symbiotic anemones, aposymbiotic anemones and isolated algae (Symbiodinium sp) to both chronic and acute salinity and temperature stresses. We have determined that there is one constitutive isozyme in the anemone A. pallida. For the two induced isozymes we observed, it would appear that a minimum of 48 hours is needed for biosynthesis. Pseudo-2-D gels revealed a detailed look at the isozymes produced. In quantifying SOD activity, we found that aposymbiotic anemones have a significant increase over controls and symbiotic anemones. Isolated algae exhibited no change under stress conditions. Since sea anemones are a model system for coral, which have the same symbiotic relationship with algae, better understanding of stress response mechanisms of anemones may give us greater comprehension of the causes of coral bleaching in order to devise suitable solutions.

Key words: superoxide dismutase, Aiptasia pallida