NYU Abu Dhabi finds coral bacteria make hormones that help cells survive heat
A NYU Abu Dhabi study in Nature Microbiology found that Endozoicomonas bacteria associated with Arabian Gulf corals produce steroid hormones, including testosterone and progesterone, as temperatures rise. The researchers say these hormones can compensate when heat impairs the coral’s own production and strengthen its immune response, helping coral cells survive.
Bottom line — The NYU Abu Dhabi findings point to beneficial microbes as a possible complement to coral nurseries and assisted evolution.
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The study examined Acropora pharaonis corals, including specimens collected near Saadiyat Island, according to Eurasia Review.
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First author Amin Mohamed told Eurasia Review that corals lose some ability to produce steroid hormones under high temperatures.
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Senior author Shady Amin said the bacteria provide molecules that help corals regulate their immune response under stress.
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Eurasia Review reports that bacterial steroid hormone production has previously been observed in only a limited number of cases.