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Mechanisms Of Localization Of Symbiont-Produced Natural Products In Host Colony, Fahmina Akhter

Biology Theses

The relationship between the bryozoan Bugula neritina and its symbiont "Candidatus Endobugula sertula" is a specific yet complex model for defensive symbiosis where the host larvae obtain chemical protection from predation by symbiont-produced bryostatin. The symbiotic bacteria are located in both larval and adult tissues of the host. However, the bryostatins levels are higher in larvae and in adult zooids with ovicells where the larvae are brooded, compared to adult zooids without ovicells. In this study, symbiont cell density and bryostatin biosynthetic gene expression were quantified in host tissues, using TaqMan probe based Q-PCR, to investigate the mechanisms for …