Summary of Study ST004329

This data is available at the NIH Common Fund's National Metabolomics Data Repository (NMDR) website, the Metabolomics Workbench, https://www.metabolomicsworkbench.org, where it has been assigned Project ID PR002743. The data can be accessed directly via it's Project DOI: 10.21228/M83G2D This work is supported by NIH grant, U2C- DK119886.

See: https://www.metabolomicsworkbench.org/about/howtocite.php

This study contains a large results data set and is not available in the mwTab file. It is only available for download via FTP as data file(s) here.

Study ID	ST004329
Study Title	Acute heat stress redirects coral carbon budgets: integrative evidence from physiology and metabolomics
Study Summary	Marine heatwaves increasingly disrupt coral carbon budgets, yet how thermal stress reshapes whole-holobiont carbon fixation across species remains insufficiently resolved. Here, paired carbon-flux components—total photosynthetic carbon fixation (TPCF) and total calcification-associated carbon fixation (TCCF)—were quantified in three reef-building corals from the northern South China Sea (Acropora hyacinthus, Pocillopora damicornis, Porites lutea) under controlled acute warming and were integrated with photophysiology and untargeted metabolomics. Across taxa, TPCF declined with temperature in concert with reduced PSII efficiency, whereas TCCF decreased in all species and, under severe heat, shifted to net dissolution in the branching A. hyacinthus and P. damicornis; by contrast, the thick-tissued P. lutea retained a marginally positive calcification-associated flux. Metabolomic enrichment indicated heat-induced rewiring of central carbon metabolism away from growth toward maintenance and repair, with constrained photosynthate preferentially routed to nucleotide biosynthesis (purine/pyrimidine), translational supply (aminoacyl-tRNA), and membrane-lipid remodeling. These coordinated reallocations provide a mechanistic basis for divergent calcification outcomes—preservation of minimal accretion in P. lutea versus rapid stalling of light-enhanced calcification and skeletal dissolution in branching taxa. At the community scale, the contrasted strategies imply that repeated heatwaves may favor more stress-tolerant, thick-tissued assemblages and erode carbonate-budget capacity in branching communities. Although the metabolomics employed here capture holobiont-level signals and do not partition host versus Symbiodiniaceae contributions, the paired-flux–omics framework establishes a process-level link between photosynthate constraint, carbon-allocation decisions, and calcification outcomes, yielding tractable indicators for forecasting functional resilience and evaluating interventions under intensifying thermal extremes.
Institute	Chinese Academy of Sciences
Last Name	Tang
First Name	Shuo
Address	Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Email	tangshuo23@mails.ucas.ac.cn
Phone	19875477513
Submit Date	2025-10-29
Raw Data Available	Yes
Raw Data File Type(s)	mzXML
Analysis Type Detail	LC-MS
Release Date	2025-11-07
Release Version	1

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Project:

Project ID:	PR002743
Project DOI:	doi: 10.21228/M83G2D
Project Title:	Acute heat stress redirects coral carbon budgets: integrative evidence from physiology and metabolomic
Project Summary:	Marine heatwaves increasingly disrupt coral carbon budgets, yet how thermal stress reshapes whole-holobiont carbon fixation across species remains insufficiently resolved. Here, paired carbon-flux components—total photosynthetic carbon fixation (TPCF) and total calcification-associated carbon fixation (TCCF)—were quantified in three reef-building corals from the northern South China Sea (Acropora hyacinthus, Pocillopora damicornis, Porites lutea) under controlled acute warming and were integrated with photophysiology and untargeted metabolomics. Across taxa, TPCF declined with temperature in concert with reduced PSII efficiency, whereas TCCF decreased in all species and, under severe heat, shifted to net dissolution in the branching A. hyacinthus and P. damicornis; by contrast, the thick-tissued P. lutea retained a marginally positive calcification-associated flux. Metabolomic enrichment indicated heat-induced rewiring of central carbon metabolism away from growth toward maintenance and repair, with constrained photosynthate preferentially routed to nucleotide biosynthesis (purine/pyrimidine), translational supply (aminoacyl-tRNA), and membrane-lipid remodeling. These coordinated reallocations provide a mechanistic basis for divergent calcification outcomes—preservation of minimal accretion in P. lutea versus rapid stalling of light-enhanced calcification and skeletal dissolution in branching taxa. At the community scale, the contrasted strategies imply that repeated heatwaves may favor more stress-tolerant, thick-tissued assemblages and erode carbonate-budget capacity in branching communities. Although the metabolomics employed here capture holobiont-level signals and do not partition host versus Symbiodiniaceae contributions, the paired-flux–omics framework establishes a process-level link between photosynthate constraint, carbon-allocation decisions, and calcification outcomes, yielding tractable indicators for forecasting functional resilience and evaluating interventions under intensifying thermal extremes.
Institute:	Chinese Academy of Sciences
Last Name:	Tang
First Name:	Shuo
Address:	Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Email:	tangshuo23@mails.ucas.ac.cn
Phone:	19875477513

Subject:

Subject ID:	SU004484
Subject Type:	Other organism
Subject Species:	Acropora hyacinthus, Pocillopora damicornis, Porites lutea
Taxonomy ID:	55974,46731,51062

Factors:

Subject type: Other organism; Subject species: Acropora hyacinthus, Pocillopora damicornis, Porites lutea (Factor headings shown in green)

mb_sample_id	local_sample_id	Sample source	treatment
SA506847	QC-2	holobiont	-
SA506848	QC-1	holobiont	-
SA506849	QC-4	holobiont	-
SA506850	QC-3	holobiont	-
SA506851	AH27_1	holobiont	control
SA506852	PD27_6	holobiont	control
SA506853	PD27_5	holobiont	control
SA506854	PD27_4	holobiont	control
SA506855	PD27_3	holobiont	control
SA506856	PD27_2	holobiont	control
SA506857	PD27_1	holobiont	control
SA506858	PL27_1	holobiont	control
SA506859	PL27_2	holobiont	control
SA506860	PL27_3	holobiont	control
SA506861	PL27_4	holobiont	control
SA506862	PL27_5	holobiont	control
SA506863	PL27_6	holobiont	control
SA506864	AH27_6	holobiont	control
SA506865	AH27_5	holobiont	control
SA506866	AH27_4	holobiont	control
SA506867	AH27_3	holobiont	control
SA506868	AH27_2	holobiont	control
SA506869	PL31_1	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506870	PL31_2	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506871	PL31_3	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506872	PL31_4	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506873	PL31_5	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506874	PL31_6	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506875	PD31_6	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506876	PD31_5	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506877	PD31_4	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506878	PD31_3	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506879	PD31_1	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506880	AH31_1	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506881	AH31_2	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506882	AH31_3	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506883	AH31_4	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506884	AH31_5	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506885	AH31_6	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506886	PD31_2	holobiont	moderate heat stress
SA506887	AH34_5	holobiont	severe heat stress
SA506888	PD34_1	holobiont	severe heat stress
SA506889	PL34_6	holobiont	severe heat stress
SA506890	PL34_5	holobiont	severe heat stress
SA506891	PL34_4	holobiont	severe heat stress
SA506892	PL34_3	holobiont	severe heat stress
SA506893	PL34_2	holobiont	severe heat stress
SA506894	PL34_1	holobiont	severe heat stress
SA506895	PD34_2	holobiont	severe heat stress
SA506896	AH34_4	holobiont	severe heat stress
SA506897	PD34_3	holobiont	severe heat stress
SA506898	PD34_4	holobiont	severe heat stress
SA506899	PD34_5	holobiont	severe heat stress
SA506900	PD34_6	holobiont	severe heat stress
SA506901	AH34_6	holobiont	severe heat stress
SA506902	AH34_2	holobiont	severe heat stress
SA506903	AH34_3	holobiont	severe heat stress
SA506904	AH34_1	holobiont	severe heat stress

Showing results 1 to 58 of 58

Showing results 1 to 58 of 58

Collection:

Collection ID:	CO004477
Collection Summary:	Coral samples for this study were collected in September 2024 from three reef-building species: Acropora hyacinthus, Pocillopora damicornis, and Porites lutea, sourced from the Luhuitou Fringing Reef in Sanya Bay, Hainan, China (18°12′N, 109°28′E). The corals were harvested from approximately 3 meters depth in the reef ecosystem. Three colonies were obtained for each species, with each colony fragmented into 2-cm nubbins, resulting in a total of 36 nubbins per species. These nubbins were carefully selected from non-marginal, visibly healthy portions of the colonies. Each nubbin was fixed to a numbered ceramic plug using cyanoacrylate gel and allowed to acclimate for 7 days in the station’s indoor coral aquaculture system. This acclimatization was conducted to minimize stress caused by fragmentation and handling, replicating natural environmental conditions as closely as possible, including temperature control, light intensity, and water flow. Upon completion of the acclimation period, the nubbins were randomly assigned to one of three temperature treatment groups (control, moderate heat, severe heat) and placed in separate 12-L tanks under controlled conditions. The formal experiment, spanning from September 24 to September 30, 2024, exposed the coral nubbins to varying temperatures: 27°C (control), 31°C (moderate heat), and 34°C (severe heat). The water temperature was monitored and adjusted to reflect the target conditions, with temperature data logged every 15 minutes. The experimental setup aimed to assess the physiological and metabolic responses of these coral species under heat stress conditions, integrating measurements of photosynthetic carbon fixation, calcification, and metabolomic shifts. This study focused on understanding species-specific adaptations to thermal stress by measuring changes in both metabolic fluxes and symbiotic carbon allocation.
Sample Type:	Coral holobiont

Treatment:

Treatment ID:	TR004493
Treatment Summary:	Treatment Summary: The experiment was conducted to assess the effects of acute heat stress on coral physiology and metabolism across three reef-building coral species: Acropora hyacinthus, Pocillopora damicornis, and Porites lutea. The coral nubbins were subjected to three distinct temperature treatments: control (27°C), moderate heat stress (31°C), and severe heat stress (34°C). Acclimation and Experimental Setup: Coral nubbins (36 per species) were acclimated for 7 days in the laboratory’s flow-through seawater system, mimicking natural conditions. The system utilized seawater drawn from 5 meters depth, filtered through a 0.45-μm cartridge and UV sterilized. After acclimation, nubbins were randomly assigned to three temperature treatment groups: Control (27°C): This represents the annual mean seawater temperature in Sanya. Moderate Heat Stress (31°C): Simulating moderate heat stress scenarios, this treatment represents a 4°C increase over the control. Severe Heat Stress (34°C): Simulating extreme heat stress, this treatment represents a 7°C increase over the control. Thermal Regimes: Temperature was ramped from the control temperature (27°C) to the moderate heat stress (31°C) and severe heat stress (34°C) conditions over a 6-hour period on the morning of September 24, 2024. These temperatures were maintained for the subsequent 7 days. During this period, water temperature was recorded every 15 minutes using HOBO data loggers. Light and Circulation Conditions: All tanks were illuminated with full-spectrum fluorescent lamps (Giesemann, Germany), providing light at approximately 120 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ on a 12-hour light/dark cycle, simulating natural irradiance at 3 meters depth. Water circulation was maintained at ~350 L/h using submersible pumps (AT101S, Atman, Beijing, China). Sampling and Measurements: At the end of the experimental period (September 30, 2024), coral nubbins were assessed for their physiological responses to the thermal stress treatments, including net photosynthetic carbon fixation (NCP), respiratory carbon consumption (CR), and calcification (both light and dark calcification rates). These parameters were quantified using the total alkalinity anomaly method for calcification and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) changes for NCP and CR. Additionally, metabolomic profiling was conducted to capture the reprogramming of the coral holobiont's metabolic pathways under heat stress conditions.

Treatment ID:

TR004493

Treatment Summary:

Treatment Summary: The experiment was conducted to assess the effects of acute heat stress on coral physiology and metabolism across three reef-building coral species: Acropora hyacinthus, Pocillopora damicornis, and Porites lutea. The coral nubbins were subjected to three distinct temperature treatments: control (27°C), moderate heat stress (31°C), and severe heat stress (34°C). Acclimation and Experimental Setup: Coral nubbins (36 per species) were acclimated for 7 days in the laboratory’s flow-through seawater system, mimicking natural conditions. The system utilized seawater drawn from 5 meters depth, filtered through a 0.45-μm cartridge and UV sterilized. After acclimation, nubbins were randomly assigned to three temperature treatment groups: Control (27°C): This represents the annual mean seawater temperature in Sanya. Moderate Heat Stress (31°C): Simulating moderate heat stress scenarios, this treatment represents a 4°C increase over the control. Severe Heat Stress (34°C): Simulating extreme heat stress, this treatment represents a 7°C increase over the control. Thermal Regimes: Temperature was ramped from the control temperature (27°C) to the moderate heat stress (31°C) and severe heat stress (34°C) conditions over a 6-hour period on the morning of September 24, 2024. These temperatures were maintained for the subsequent 7 days. During this period, water temperature was recorded every 15 minutes using HOBO data loggers. Light and Circulation Conditions: All tanks were illuminated with full-spectrum fluorescent lamps (Giesemann, Germany), providing light at approximately 120 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ on a 12-hour light/dark cycle, simulating natural irradiance at 3 meters depth. Water circulation was maintained at ~350 L/h using submersible pumps (AT101S, Atman, Beijing, China). Sampling and Measurements: At the end of the experimental period (September 30, 2024), coral nubbins were assessed for their physiological responses to the thermal stress treatments, including net photosynthetic carbon fixation (NCP), respiratory carbon consumption (CR), and calcification (both light and dark calcification rates). These parameters were quantified using the total alkalinity anomaly method for calcification and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) changes for NCP and CR. Additionally, metabolomic profiling was conducted to capture the reprogramming of the coral holobiont's metabolic pathways under heat stress conditions.

Sample Preparation:

Sampleprep ID:	SP004490
Sampleprep Summary:	Biological material & design: Whole coral holobionts (host + Symbiodiniaceae) from three scleractinians—Acropora hyacinthus (AH), Pocillopora damicornis (PD), Porites lutea (PL)—after 7-day exposure to 27°C (control), 31°C (acute moderate), or 34°C (acute severe). Nominal n = 6 biological replicates per species × temperature (total n = 54). Harvesting & snap-freezing: To avoid handling artifacts associated with day-5 incubations, nubbins were snap-frozen directly from treatment tanks at the end of day 7 (late afternoon; matched to photoperiod). Pulverization: Tissues were powdered under liquid N₂ to a fine cryopowder. Extraction: Weighed 100 mg cryopowder was extracted with 1.0 mL MeOH/ACN/H₂O (2:2:1, v/v/v). Extracts were sonicated on ice (2 × 30 min) and centrifuged (14,000 g, 20 min, 4°C); supernatants were collected. Dry-down & reconstitution: Supernatants were dried under vacuum (SpeedVac) and reconstituted in 100 µL ACN/H₂O (1:1, v/v), then clarified prior to LC–MS/MS. Injection volume: 2 µL. Quality control & blanks: A pooled QC sample was prepared by combining 10 µL from each extract and injected every five injections; solvent blanks were interleaved. Run order: Within each chromatography/ionization mode (HILIC/RPLC; ESI⁺/ESI⁻), samples were randomized across species and temperatures.

Sampleprep ID:

SP004490

Sampleprep Summary:

Biological material & design: Whole coral holobionts (host + Symbiodiniaceae) from three scleractinians—Acropora hyacinthus (AH), Pocillopora damicornis (PD), Porites lutea (PL)—after 7-day exposure to 27°C (control), 31°C (acute moderate), or 34°C (acute severe). Nominal n = 6 biological replicates per species × temperature (total n = 54). Harvesting & snap-freezing: To avoid handling artifacts associated with day-5 incubations, nubbins were snap-frozen directly from treatment tanks at the end of day 7 (late afternoon; matched to photoperiod). Pulverization: Tissues were powdered under liquid N₂ to a fine cryopowder. Extraction: Weighed 100 mg cryopowder was extracted with 1.0 mL MeOH/ACN/H₂O (2:2:1, v/v/v). Extracts were sonicated on ice (2 × 30 min) and centrifuged (14,000 g, 20 min, 4°C); supernatants were collected. Dry-down & reconstitution: Supernatants were dried under vacuum (SpeedVac) and reconstituted in 100 µL ACN/H₂O (1:1, v/v), then clarified prior to LC–MS/MS. Injection volume: 2 µL. Quality control & blanks: A pooled QC sample was prepared by combining 10 µL from each extract and injected every five injections; solvent blanks were interleaved. Run order: Within each chromatography/ionization mode (HILIC/RPLC; ESI⁺/ESI⁻), samples were randomized across species and temperatures.

Chromatography:

Chromatography ID:	CH005478
Instrument Name:	Agilent 1290
Column Name:	Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH Amide (100 x 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm)
Column Temperature:	25°C
Flow Gradient:	0–0.5 min: 95% B 0.5–7.0 min: linear from 95% B to 65% B 7.0–8.0 min: linear from 65% B to 40% B 8.0–9.0 min: hold at 40% B 9.0–9.1 min: return to 95% B 9.1–12.0 min: re-equilibration at 95% B
Flow Rate:	0.5 mL/min
Solvent A:	100% Water; 25 mM Ammonium acetate; 25 mM Ammonium hydroxide
Solvent B:	100% Acetonitrile
Chromatography Type:	HILIC

Analysis:

Analysis ID:	AN007214
Analysis Type:	MS
Chromatography ID:	CH005478
Num Factors:	4
Num Metabolites:	10
Units:	peak area

Analysis ID:	AN007215
Analysis Type:	MS
Chromatography ID:	CH005478
Num Factors:	4
Num Metabolites:	10
Units:	peak area