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A vacuole-like compartment concentrates a disordered calcium phase in a key coccolithophorid alga

Author

Listed:
  • Sanja Sviben

    (Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology)

  • Assaf Gal

    (Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology
    Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces)

  • Matthew A. Hood

    (Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology
    Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces)

  • Luca Bertinetti

    (Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces)

  • Yael Politi

    (Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces)

  • Mathieu Bennet

    (Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces)

  • Praveen Krishnamoorthy

    (Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology)

  • Andreas Schertel

    (Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH, Global Applications Support)

  • Richard Wirth

    (GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam)

  • Andrea Sorrentino

    (ALBA Synchrotron Light Source, Cerdanyola del Vallés)

  • Eva Pereiro

    (ALBA Synchrotron Light Source, Cerdanyola del Vallés)

  • Damien Faivre

    (Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces)

  • André Scheffel

    (Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology)

Abstract

Coccoliths are calcitic particles produced inside the cells of unicellular marine algae known as coccolithophores. They are abundant components of sea-floor carbonates, and the stoichiometry of calcium to other elements in fossil coccoliths is widely used to infer past environmental conditions. Here we study cryo-preserved cells of the dominant coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi using state-of-the-art nanoscale imaging and spectroscopy. We identify a compartment, distinct from the coccolith-producing compartment, filled with high concentrations of a disordered form of calcium. Co-localized with calcium are high concentrations of phosphorus and minor concentrations of other cations. The amounts of calcium stored in this reservoir seem to be dynamic and at a certain stage the compartment is in direct contact with the coccolith-producing vesicle, suggesting an active role in coccolith formation. Our findings provide insights into calcium accumulation in this important calcifying organism.

Suggested Citation

  • Sanja Sviben & Assaf Gal & Matthew A. Hood & Luca Bertinetti & Yael Politi & Mathieu Bennet & Praveen Krishnamoorthy & Andreas Schertel & Richard Wirth & Andrea Sorrentino & Eva Pereiro & Damien Faivr, 2016. "A vacuole-like compartment concentrates a disordered calcium phase in a key coccolithophorid alga," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-9, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms11228
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11228
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    Cited by:

    1. Widad Ajili & Camila B. Tovani & Justine Fouassier & Marta Frutos & Guillaume Pierre Laurent & Philippe Bertani & Chakib Djediat & Frédéric Marin & Stéphanie Auzoux-Bordenave & Thierry Azaïs & Nadine , 2022. "Inorganic phosphate in growing calcium carbonate abalone shell suggests a shared mineral ancestral precursor," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Alastair Skeffington & Axel Fischer & Sanja Sviben & Magdalena Brzezinka & Michał Górka & Luca Bertinetti & Christian Woehle & Bruno Huettel & Alexander Graf & André Scheffel, 2023. "A joint proteomic and genomic investigation provides insights into the mechanism of calcification in coccolithophores," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.

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