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Abstract

▪ Abstract 

The scleractinian coral undergoes bleaching (loss of its endosymbiotic zooxanthellae) every summer in the eastern Mediterranean Sea when seawater temperatures rise. The causative agent of the disease is . The pathogen adheres to a β-galactoside-containing receptor in the coral mucus, penetrates into epithelial cells, differentiates into a viable-but-not-culturable form, multiplies, and produces a proline-rich peptide toxin that inhibits photosynthesis of the zooxanthellae in the presence of ammonia. Several of the virulence factors, such as adhesin, toxin, and superoxide dismutase, are produced only at the elevated summer seawater temperatures. The fireworm is a winter reservoir and spring/summer vector for . The generality of the bacterial hypothesis of coral bleaching is discussed.

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/content/journals/10.1146/annurev.micro.58.030603.123610
2004-10-13
2024-03-29
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  • Article Type: Review Article
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