Abstract
Tunicates are the only metazoans capable of synthesising cellulose, which is present in the tunic. Cellulases (endo and exoglucanases) that can degrade or remodel cellulose might be necessary during the growth phase and during scarring after injury to the tunic. However, the occurrence of these enzymes in the tunic has not been reported. Hence, the aim of the study was to investigate the presence of cellulases as well as other glycoside hydrolases, such as xyloglucanases and mannanases, in the tunic of two Antarctic ascidian species, Ascidia challengeri and Pyura bouvetensis, and in the tropical species Phallusia nigra. Endoglucanases and xyloglucanase were found in all three species. Galactomannanases were detected in P. nigra and P. bouvetensis but were not found in A. challengeri. Cellulases that can degrade Avicel were found in P. bouvetensis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report detailing the presence of these enzymes in the tunic of ascidians. In A. challengeri, the optimal temperature for the endoglucanase activity was 9 °C, higher than their habitat temperature, but within the temperature tolerance of the species, while that of P. nigra was at 25–30 °C, which is close to the maximum temperature of its habitat. The temperature at which the endoglucanase has optimal activity is discussed as a proxy to the limit of thermal tolerance of the species that express this enzyme.
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Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge Dr. Yocie Yoneshigue Valentin, coordinator of the National Institute of Antarctic Science and Technology of Environmental Research (INCT/APA), and Dr. Lúcia de Siqueira Campos, coordinator of the project “Benthic Observation Systems in the Southern Ocean: Marine Biodiversity in Relation to Evolutionary and Oceanographic Processes between Antarctica and South America” for their support. We are also grateful to the members of the Brazilian Navy who supported the activities of the Antarctic Operation XXXII of the Brazilian Antarctic Programme and to Dr. Mauro S. Pavão for providing us α-l-galactan from P. nigra. We thank Renee Mosi, PhD, from Edanz Group (www.edanzediting.com/ac) and Troy Beldini, PhD, for editing a draft of this manuscript. We are also deeply grateful for comments from all referees.
Funding
E.K.S. Ramos and K.K. Kuroki received Research Initiation Grants from the University of Taubaté (Projects IBB-53-2012 and IBB-84-2010). This work was partially supported by the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq), processes number 557126/2009-6 and 574018/2008-5, and Carlos Chagas Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), process number E-26/170.023/2008.
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EKSR, SCLS, KKK, and LB conducted the experiments. VJC performed P. nigra collections. GSV wrote the manuscript. ER and TH analysed the data and contributed with discussion of the results. CNKS conceived and designed research and collected Antarctic ascidians. All authors read and approved the manuscript.
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The capture of the Antarctic ascidians was authorised by the Environmental Management Group of the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment, and the capture of P. nigra was authorised by the Authorisation and Information System on Biodiversity of the Chico Mendes Institute of Conservation of Biodiversity (Sisbio-ICMBio/IBAMA nr. 16101-2 and 52475-1).
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Ramos, E.K.S., dos Santos, S.C.L., Kuroki, K.K. et al. Glycoside hydrolases from the tunics of two Antarctic ascidians (Ascidia challengeri and Pyura bouvetensis) and the tropical species Phallusia nigra. Polar Biol 44, 857–863 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-021-02837-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-021-02837-0