Proteomic profiling of ascidians as a tool for biomonitoring marine environments

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215005
• Publication Date: 2019-04-09T17:48:55Z
• Authors: Zafrir Kuplik; Lion Novak; Noa Shenkar
• Keywords: Proteome

Applying a proteomic approach for biomonitoring marine environments offers useful tool identifying organisms' stress responses, with benthic filter-feeders being ideal candidates this practice. Here, we investigated the profile of two solitary ascidians (Chordata, Ascidiacea): Microcosmus exasperatus, collected from five sites along Mediterranean coast Israel; and Polycarpa mytiligera four Red Sea coast. 193 13 proteins in M. exasperatus P. mytiligera, respectively, demonstrated significant differential expression. Significant differences were found between proteomes northern southern both coasts. Some had previously been shown to be affected by environmental stressors, thus have potential further developed as biomarkers. Obtaining field-collected provides early-detection response worldwide.