Journal Article

Membrane Lipid Phase Transition Behavior of Oocytes from Three Gorgonian Corals in Relation to Chilling Injury: e92812

Lin, Chiahsin, Kuo, Fu-Wen, Chavanich, Suchana, Viyakarn, Voranop

2014

Overview

The lipid phase transition (LPT) from the fluid liquid crystalline phase to the more rigid gel structure phase that occurs upon exposure to low temperatures can affect physical structure and function of cellular membranes. This study set out to investigate the membrane phase behavior of oocytes of three gorgonian corals; Junceela fragilis, J. juncea and Ellisella robusta,at different developmental stages after exposure to reduced temperatures. Oocytes were chilled to 5 degree C for 48, 96 or 144 h, and the LPT temperature (LPTT) was determined with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The J. fragilis oocytes had a higher LPTT (23.0-23.7 degree C) than those of J. juncea and E. robusta oocytes (approximately 18.3-20.3 degree C). Upon chilling for 96 h at 5 degree C, the LPTTs of J. juncea and E. robusta oocytes in the early (18.0 plus or minus 1.0 and 18.3 plus or minus 0.6 degree C, respectively) and late (17.3 plus or minus 0.6 and 17.7 plus or minus 1.2 degree C, respectively) stages were significantly lower than those of J. fragilis oocytes (20.3 plus or minus 2.1 and 19.3 plus or minus 1.5 degree C for the early and late stages, respectively). The LPTTs of early stage gorgonian oocytes was significantly lower than those of late stage oocytes. These results suggest that the LPT of three gorgonian oocytes at different developmental stages may have been influenced by the phospholipid composition of their plasma membranes, which could have implications for their low temperature resistance.

• Subject: Ellisella / Gorgonacea