Coral color morphs show distinct proteomic and microbiome profiles in Red Sea study (microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com)

• 1517 differentially abundant proteins identified between pink and brown morphs.
• Pink morphs enriched in GFP-like chromoproteins and pullulanase enzyme.
• Brown morphs enriched in heat shock proteins and DNA repair proteins.
• Bacterial indicators: pink morphs associated with pathogen genera, brown with beneficial genera.

"This study compares pink and brown morphs of Pocillopora verrucosa in the Red Sea using multi-omics. Pink morphs show higher levels of GFP-like proteins, pullulanase, and Ankyrin, associated with potential pathogens (Salmonella, Escherichia-Shigella). Brown morphs exhibit higher heat shock proteins, DNA repair proteins, and beneficial bacteria (Lysobacter, Endozoicomonas). Lipid and metabolite profiles were similar between morphs. Results suggest different stress response strategies: pink morphs invest in photoprotection and heterotrophy, brown morphs in stress tolerance and DNA repair."