A family of crown-of-thorns starfish spine-secreted proteins modify adult conspecific behavior
Richard J. Harris,
Adam K. Hillberg,
Lee D. Bastin,
Blake S. Lausen,
Saowaros Suwansa-Ard,
Tianfang Wang,
Abigail Elizur,
Sakura Kikuchi,
Keisuke Nakashima,
Noriyuki Satoh,
Cherie A. Motti,
Scott F. Cummins
Affiliations
Richard J. Harris
Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Cape Cleveland, QLD 4810, Australia; Corresponding author
Adam K. Hillberg
Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia; School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
Lee D. Bastin
Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Cape Cleveland, QLD 4810, Australia
Blake S. Lausen
Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia; School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
Saowaros Suwansa-Ard
Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia; School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
Tianfang Wang
Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia; School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
Abigail Elizur
Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
Sakura Kikuchi
Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
Keisuke Nakashima
Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
Noriyuki Satoh
Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
Cherie A. Motti
Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Cape Cleveland, QLD 4810, Australia
Scott F. Cummins
Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia; School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia; Corresponding author
Summary: With growing interest in utilizing semiochemicals to control pest species, recent investigations have begun to consider semiochemicals to control outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS; Acanthaster cf. solaris), a corallivore contributing to coral reef degradation. In this study, differential gene expression analysis of adult CoTS spines led to the identification of (1) numerous G-protein coupled receptor genes enriched at the reproductive stage, possibly reflecting enhanced sensitivity to semiochemicals and (2) genes encoding secreted proteins at the non-reproductive stage. We also demonstrated that these proteins belong to an uncharacterized family of secreted proteins that are unique to Acanthaster spp., being released into the surrounding water. A synthetic peptide mixture derived from this protein family demonstrated no toxicity yet did modify conspecific adult behavior, eliciting attraction. Based on this evidence, we suggest a pheromonal role beyond reproduction. The discovery of these provides a tool for future innovative semiochemical biocontrol in CoTS management strategies.
