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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Artículo científico |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
iScience
2025
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| Online Access: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40165805/ |
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Table of Contents:
- A family of crown-of-thorns starfish spine-secreted proteins modify adult conspecific behavior. Harris, Richard J Hillberg, Adam K Bastin, Lee D Lausen, Blake S Suwansa-Ard, Saowaros Wang, Tianfang Elizur, Abigail Kikuchi, Sakura Nakashima, Keisuke Satoh, Noriyuki Motti, Cherie A Cummins, Scott F 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; cf. ), 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 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.