Natacha Roux: Computational Neuroethology Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-Son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan.
Cl��ment Delannoy: Universit�� de Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576 - UGSF - Unit�� de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, 59000, France.
Shin-Yi Yu: Universit�� de Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576 - UGSF - Unit�� de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, 59000, France.
Saori Miura: Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan.
Lilian Carlu: Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan.
Laurence Besseau: Sorbonne Universit��, CNRS, Biologie Int��grative des Organismes Marins, BIOM, Observatoire oc��anologique de Banyuls-sur-Mer, Banyuls-sur-Mer, 66650, France.
Takahiro Nakagawa: Institute for Glyco-Core Research (iGCORE), Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, 4648601, Japan.
Chihiro Sato: Institute for Glyco-Core Research (iGCORE), Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, 4648601, Japan.
Ken Kitajima: Institute for Glyco-Core Research (iGCORE), Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, 4648601, Japan.
Yann Guerardel: Universit�� de Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576 - UGSF - Unit�� de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, 59000, France. yann.guerardel@univ-lille.fr.
Vincent Laudet: Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan. vincent.laudet@oist.jp.
BACKGROUND: Anemonefish association with sea anemones is a prime example of mutualistic symbiosis. These fish live inside the sea anemone, benefitting from the protection of its toxic nematocysts, and in return, protect the anemone from its own predators. How anemonefish manage to avoid their host toxic stings remains unclear. One hypothesis suggests that low levels of sialic acids in anemonefish mucus prevent nematocyst discharge. RESULTS: This study verified four predictions: (i) anemonefish mucus has lower sialic acid levels than non-symbiotic damselfish; (ii) this reduction is specific to mucus; (iii) during development, sialic acid levels inversely correlate with protection; (iv) sea anemone mucus has minimal sialic acids. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that anemonefish regulates the level of sialic acids in their mucus to avoid nematocyst discharge. We also highlight several genes implicated in sialic acid removal that could explain the protection mechanisms in place. This mechanism, potentially used by Dascyllus trimaculatus juveniles, suggests a convergent strategy for mutualistic associations with sea anemones.
