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Ye J, Wang Y, Li Q, Hussain S, Chen S, Zhou X, Hou S, Feng Y. Phagocytosis in Marine Coccolithophore Gephyrocapsa huxleyi: Comparison between Calcified and Non-Calcified Strains. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:310. [PMID: 38785792 PMCID: PMC11117637 DOI: 10.3390/biology13050310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Coccolithophores play a significant role in marine calcium carbonate production and carbon cycles, attributing to their unique feature of producing calcareous plates, coccoliths. Coccolithophores also possess a haplo-diplontic life cycle, presenting distinct morphology types and calcification states. However, differences in nutrient acquisition strategies and mixotrophic behaviors of the two life phases remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a series of phagocytosis experiments of calcified diploid and non-calcified haploid strains of coccolithophore Gephyrocapsa huxleyi under light and dark conditions. The phagocytosis capability of each strain was examined based on characteristic fluorescent signals from ingested beads using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. The results show a significantly higher phagocytosis percentage on fluorescent beads in the bacterial prey surrogates of the non-calcified haploid Gephyrocapsa huxleyi strain, than the calcified diploid strain with or without light. In addition, the non-calcified diploid cells seemingly to presented a much higher phagocytosis percentage in darkness than under light. The differential phagocytosis capacities between the calcified diploid and non-calcified haploid Gephyrocapsa huxleyi strains indicate potential distinct nutritional strategies at different coccolithophore life and calcifying stages, which may further shed light on the potential strategies that coccolithophore possesses in unfavorable environments such as twilight zones and the expanding coccolithophore niches in the natural marine environment under the climate change scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayang Ye
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; (J.Y.); (Q.L.)
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Polar Life and Environment Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China;
- Key Laboratory of Polar Ecosystem and Climate Change, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; (J.Y.); (Q.L.)
| | - Qian Li
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; (J.Y.); (Q.L.)
| | - Sarfraz Hussain
- Department of Ocean Science & Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Songze Chen
- Shenzhen Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen 518049, China
| | - Xunying Zhou
- Department of Ocean Science & Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shengwei Hou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Polar Life and Environment Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China;
- Key Laboratory of Polar Ecosystem and Climate Change, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200030, China
- Department of Ocean Science & Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuanyuan Feng
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; (J.Y.); (Q.L.)
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Polar Life and Environment Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China;
- Key Laboratory of Polar Ecosystem and Climate Change, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200030, China
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2
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Triccas A, Laidlaw F, Singleton MR, Nudelman F. Control of crystal growth during coccolith formation by the coccolithophore Gephyrocapsa oceanica. J Struct Biol 2024; 216:108066. [PMID: 38350555 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2024.108066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Coccolithophores are marine phytoplankton that produce calcite mineral scales called coccoliths. Many stages in the synthesis of these structures are still unresolved, making it difficult to accurately quantify the energetic costs involved in calcification, required to determine the response coccolith mineralization will have to rising ocean acidification and temperature created by an increase in global CO2 concentrations. To clarify this, an improved understanding of how coccolithophores control the fundamental processes of crystallization, including nucleation, growth, and morphology, is needed. Here, we study how crystal growth and morphology is controlled in the coccolithophore Gephyrocapsa oceanica by imaging coccoliths at various stages of maturity using cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryoTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and focused ion beam SEM (FIB-SEM). We reveal that coccolith units tightly interlock with each other due to the non-vertical alignment of the two-layered tube element, causing these mineral units to extend over the adjacent crystals. In specific directions, the growth of the coccolith tube seems to be impacted by the physical constraint created by the close association of neighbouring units around the ring, influencing the overall morphology and organization of the crystals that develop. Our findings contribute to the overall understanding of how biological systems can manipulate crystallization to produce functional mineralized tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Triccas
- EaSTCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, UK
| | - Fraser Laidlaw
- School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, UK
| | - Martin R Singleton
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Fabio Nudelman
- EaSTCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, UK.
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3
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Xu H, Liu H, Chen F, Zhang X, Zhang Z, Ma J, Pan K, Liu H. Ocean acidification affects physiology of coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi and weakens its mechanical resistance to copepods. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 192:106232. [PMID: 37866975 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
The effects of ocean acidification (OA) on coccolithophore's photosynthesis, calcification rates, and growth have been extensively studied. However, how the intracellular Ca2+, mechanical properties and chemical composition of the coccoliths are affected by OA have not yet been investigated. This study tries to fill these gaps using Emiliania huxleyi as a model coccolithophore. When the seawater pCO2 increased from 400 μatm to 1200 μatm, the intracellular Ca2+ and coccolith area were reduced by 66% and 36%, respectively. Single-cell mapping by atomic force microscopy revealed that the modulus and hardness of coccolith decreased from 23.6 ± 0.2 GPa to 12.0 ± 5.5 GPa and from 0.53 ± 0.15 GPa to 0.20 ± 0.06 GPa, respectively. Additionally, the proportional organic matter and silicon in the coccolith surfaces increased with pCO2. The copepods Acartia pacifica fed on more E. huxleyi grown at higher pCO2. Our study implies that OA could change coccolithophore's competitive interactions with other phytoplankton and ultimately influence carbon export to the deep ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huo Xu
- SZU-HKUST Joint PhD Program in Marine Environmental Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Haijiao Liu
- Research Centre for Indian Ocean Ecosystem, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Fengyuan Chen
- SZU-HKUST Joint PhD Program in Marine Environmental Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- SZU-HKUST Joint PhD Program in Marine Environmental Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- SZU-HKUST Joint PhD Program in Marine Environmental Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ke Pan
- SZU-HKUST Joint PhD Program in Marine Environmental Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Hongbin Liu
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China; Hong Kong Branch of Southern Marine Science & Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
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4
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Eyal Z, Krounbi L, Joseph OB, Avrahami EM, Pinkas I, Peled-Zehavi H, Gal A. The variability in the structural and functional properties of coccolith base plates. Acta Biomater 2022; 148:336-344. [PMID: 35738389 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Biomineralization processes exert varying levels of control over crystallization, ranging from poorly ordered polycrystalline arrays to intricately shaped single crystals. Coccoliths, calcified scales formed by unicellular algae, are a model for a highly controlled crystallization process. The coccolith crystals nucleate next to an organic oval structure that was termed the base plate, leading to the assumption that the base plate is responsible for the oriented nucleation of the crystals via stereochemical interactions. In recent years, several works focusing on a well-characterized model species demonstrated a fundamental role for indirect interactions that facilitate coccolith crystallization. Here, we develop the tools to extract the base plates from five different species, giving the opportunity to systematically explore the relations between base plate and coccolith properties. We used multiple imaging techniques to evaluate the structural and chemical features of the base plates under native hydrated conditions. The results show a wide range of properties, overlaid on a common rudimentary scaffold that lacks any detectable structural or chemical motifs that can explain direct nucleation control. This work emphasizes that it is the combination between the base plate and the chemical environment inside the cell that cooperatively facilitate the exquisite control over the crystallization process. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: : Biological organic scaffolds can serve as functional surfaces that guide the formation of inorganic materials. However, in many cases the specific interactions that facilitate such tight regulation are complex and not fully understood. In this work, we elucidate the architecture of such model biological template, an organic scale that directs the assembly of exquisite crystalline arrays of marine microalgae. By using cryo electron microscopy, we reveal the native state organization of these scales from several species. The observed similarities and differences allow us to propose that the chemical microenvironment, rather than stereochemical matching, is the pivotal regulator of the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohar Eyal
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Leilah Krounbi
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Oz Ben Joseph
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Emanuel M Avrahami
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Iddo Pinkas
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001 Israel
| | - Hadas Peled-Zehavi
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Assaf Gal
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
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5
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Eliason O, Segev E. Coccolith Sr/Ca is a robust temperature and growth rate indicator that withstands dynamic microbial interactions. GEOBIOLOGY 2022; 20:435-443. [PMID: 35048494 PMCID: PMC9305965 DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Coccolithophores are a diverse group of calcifying microalgae that have left a prominent fossil record on Earth. Various coccolithophore relics, both organic and inorganic, serve as proxies for reconstruction of past oceanic conditions. Emiliania huxleyi is the most widely distributed representative of the coccolithophores in modern oceans and is known to engage in dynamic interactions with bacteria. Algal-bacterial interactions influence various aspects of algal physiology and alter algal alkenone unsaturation (UK'37 ), a frequently used organic coccolithophore-derived paleo-temperature proxy. Whether algal-bacterial interactions influence inorganic coccolithophore-derived paleo-proxies is yet unknown. A commonly used inorganic proxy for past productivity and sea surface temperature is the Sr/Ca ratio of the coccolith calcite. Interestingly, during interactions between bacteria and a population of calcifying algae, bacteria were shown to physically attach only to non-calcified algal cells, suggesting an influence on algal calcification. In this study, we explore the effects of algal-bacterial interactions on calcification and coccolith Sr/Ca ratios. We find that while bacteria attach only to non-calcified algal cells, coccolith cell coverage and overall calcite production in algal populations with and without bacteria is similar. Furthermore, we find that Sr/Ca values are impacted only by water temperature and algal growth rate, regardless of bacterial influences on algal physiology. Our observations reinforce the robustness of coccolith Sr/Ca ratios as a paleo-proxy independent of microbial interactions and highlight a fundamental difference between organic and inorganic paleo-proxies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Or Eliason
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Einat Segev
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
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6
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Avrahami EM, Houben L, Aram L, Gal A. Complex morphologies of biogenic crystals emerge from anisotropic growth of symmetry-related facets. Science 2022; 376:312-316. [PMID: 35420932 DOI: 10.1126/science.abm1748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Directing crystal growth into complex morphologies is challenging, as crystals tend to adopt thermodynamically stable morphologies. However, many organisms form crystals with intricate morphologies, as exemplified by coccoliths, microscopic calcite crystal arrays produced by unicellular algae. The complex morphologies of the coccolith crystals were hypothesized to materialize from numerous crystallographic facets, stabilized by fine-tuned interactions between organic molecules and the growing crystals. Using electron tomography, we examined multiple stages of coccolith development in three dimensions. We found that the crystals express only one set of symmetry-related crystallographic facets, which grow differentially to yield highly anisotropic shapes. Morphological chirality arises from positioning the crystals along specific edges of these same facets. Our findings suggest that growth rate manipulations are sufficient to yield complex crystalline morphologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel M Avrahami
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Lothar Houben
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Lior Aram
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Assaf Gal
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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7
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Meng R, Zhang L, Zhou C, Liao K, Xiao P, Luo Q, Xu J, Cui Y, Hu X, Yan X. Genome Sequence of Chrysotila roscoffensis, a Coccolithphore Contributed to Global Biogeochemical Cycles. Genes (Basel) 2021; 13:genes13010040. [PMID: 35052381 PMCID: PMC8775090 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chrysotila is a genus of coccolithophores. Together with Emiliania, it is one of the representative genera in the Haptophyta which have been extensively studied. They are photosynthetic unicellular marine algae sharing the common characteristic of the production of CaCO3 platelets (coccoliths) on the surface of their cells and are crucial contributors to global biogeochemical cycles. Here, we report the genome assembly of Chrysotila roscoffensis. The assembled genome size was ~636 Mb distributed across 769 scaffolds with N50 of 1.63 Mb, and maximum contig length of ~2.6 Mb. Repetitive elements accounted for approximately 59% of the genome. A total of 23,341 genes were predicted from C. roscoffensis genome. The divergence time between C. roscoffensis and Emiliania huxleyi was estimated to be around 537.6 Mya. Gene families related to cytoskeleton, cellular motility and morphology, and ion transport were expanded. The genome of C. roscoffensis will provide a foundation for understanding the genetic and phenotypic diversification and calcification mechanisms of coccolithophores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Meng
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (R.M.); (C.Z.)
- Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Kenneth Li Marine Biopharmaceutical Research Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
- School of Marine Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (L.Z.); (K.L.); (P.X.); (Q.L.); (J.X.)
| | - Lin Zhang
- School of Marine Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (L.Z.); (K.L.); (P.X.); (Q.L.); (J.X.)
| | - Chengxu Zhou
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (R.M.); (C.Z.)
- Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Kenneth Li Marine Biopharmaceutical Research Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Kai Liao
- School of Marine Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (L.Z.); (K.L.); (P.X.); (Q.L.); (J.X.)
| | - Peng Xiao
- School of Marine Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (L.Z.); (K.L.); (P.X.); (Q.L.); (J.X.)
| | - Qijun Luo
- School of Marine Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (L.Z.); (K.L.); (P.X.); (Q.L.); (J.X.)
| | - Jilin Xu
- School of Marine Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (L.Z.); (K.L.); (P.X.); (Q.L.); (J.X.)
| | - Yanze Cui
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing 100083, China;
| | - Xiaodi Hu
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing 100083, China;
- Correspondence: (X.H.); (X.Y.); Tel.: +86-0574-87600458 (X.Y.); +86-0574-87600738 (X.H.)
| | - Xiaojun Yan
- School of Marine Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (L.Z.); (K.L.); (P.X.); (Q.L.); (J.X.)
- School of Marine Science, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China
- Correspondence: (X.H.); (X.Y.); Tel.: +86-0574-87600458 (X.Y.); +86-0574-87600738 (X.H.)
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8
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Gal A. Dense intracellular ion pools in unicellular organisms. J Struct Biol 2021; 213:107807. [PMID: 34740781 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2021.107807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Uptake and concentration of inorganic ions are part of the complex cellular processes required for cell homeostasis, as well as for mineral formation by organisms. These ion transport mechanisms include distinct cellular compartments and chemical phases that play various roles in the physiology of organisms. Here, the prominent cases of dense ion pools in unicellular organisms are briefly reviewed. The specific observations that were reported for different organisms are consolidated into a wide perspective that emphasizes general traits. It is suggested that the intracellular ion pools can be divided into three types: a high cytoplasmic concentration, a labile storage compartment that hosts dense ion-rich phases, and a mineral-forming compartment in which a stable long-lived structure is formed. Recently, many labile pools were identified in various organisms using advanced techniques, bringing many new questions about their possible roles in the formation of the stable mineralized structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assaf Gal
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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9
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Abehsera S, Bentov S, Li X, Weil S, Manor R, Sagi S, Li S, Li F, Khalaila I, Aflalo ED, Sagi A. Genes encoding putative bicarbonate transporters as a missing molecular link between molt and mineralization in crustaceans. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11722. [PMID: 34083647 PMCID: PMC8175698 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91155-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
During their life, crustaceans undergo several molts, which if theoretically compared to the human body would be equivalent to replacing all bones at a single event. Such a dramatic repetitive event is coupled to unique molecular mechanisms of mineralization so far mostly unknown. Unlike human bone mineralized with calcium phosphate, the crustacean exoskeleton is mineralized mainly by calcium carbonate. Crustacean growth thus necessitates well-timed mobilization of bicarbonate to specific extracellular sites of biomineralization at distinct molt cycle stages. Here, by looking at the crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus at different molting stages, we suggest that the mechanisms of bicarbonate ion transport for mineralization in crustaceans involve the SLC4 family of transporters and that these proteins play a key role in the tight coupling between molt cycle events and mineral deposition. This discovery of putative bicarbonate transporters in a pancrustacean with functional genomic evidence from genes encoding the SLC4 family-mostly known for their role in pH control-is discussed in the context of the evolution of calcium carbonate biomineralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shai Abehsera
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 8410501, Beer Sheva, Israel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Shmuel Bentov
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 8410501, Beer Sheva, Israel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Xuguang Li
- Freshwater Fisheries Research Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Simy Weil
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 8410501, Beer Sheva, Israel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Rivka Manor
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 8410501, Beer Sheva, Israel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Shahar Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 8410501, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Shihao Li
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuhua Li
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Isam Khalaila
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Eliahu D Aflalo
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 8410501, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Department of Life Sciences, Achva Academic College, Arugot, Israel
| | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 8410501, Beer Sheva, Israel.
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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10
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Coccolith crystals: Pure calcite or organic-mineral composite structures? Acta Biomater 2021; 125:83-89. [PMID: 33631395 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The localization of organic material within biominerals is central to developing biomineral formation mechanisms. Coccoliths, morphologically sophisticated calcite platelets of intracellularly calcifying coccolithophores, are not only eco-physiologically important, but also influence biogeochemical cycles through mass production. Despite their importance and over a century of research, the formation mechanism of coccoliths is still poorly understood. Crucial unsolved questions include the localization of organic material within coccoliths. In extracellular calcifiers the discovery of an organics-containing nano-structure within seemingly single crystals has led to the formulation of a two-step crystallization mechanism. Coccoliths are traditionally thought of as being formed by a different mechanism, but it is unclear whether coccolith crystals possess a nano-structure. Here we review the evidence for and against such a nano-structure. Current SXPD analyses suggest a nano-structure of some kind, while imaging methods (SEM, TEM, AFM) provide evidence against it. We suggest directions for future research which should help solve this puzzle. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Coccolithophores, unicellular calcifying algae, are important primary producers and contribute significantly to pelagic calcium carbonate export. Their calcite platelets, the coccoliths, are amongst the most sophisticated biomineral structures. Understanding the crystallization mechanism of coccolith crystals is not only central to coccolithophore cell biology but also lies at the heart of biomineralization research more generally. The crystallization mechanism of coccoliths has remained largely elusive, not least because it is still an open question whether the micron sized coccolith crystals are pure calcite, or contain organic material. Here we review the state of the art and suggest a way to solve this central problem.
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11
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Peled-Zehavi H, Gal A. Exploring Intracellular Ion Pools in Coccolithophores Using Live-Cell Imaging. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 5:e2000296. [PMID: 33852773 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Some microorganisms, such as coccolithophores, produce an intricate exoskeleton made of inorganic solids. Coccoliths, the calcium carbonate scales of coccolithophores, are examples of the precise bioproduction of such complex 3D structures. However, the understanding of the cellular mechanisms that control mineral formation inside the cell, specifically the ability of these microalgae to transport high fluxes of inorganic building blocks, is still limited. Recently, using cryo-electron and X-ray microscopy, several intracellular compartments are shown to store high concentrations of calcium and phosphorous and are suggested to have a dominant role in the intracellular mineralization pathway. Here, live-cell confocal microscopy and fluorescent markers are used to examine the dynamics of ion stores in coccolithophores. Using calcein and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) as fluorescent proxies for calcium and polyphosphates, the experiments reveal an unexpected plethora of organelles with distinct fluorescent signatures over a wide range of strains and conditions. Surprisingly, the fluorescent labeling does not show changes along the calcification process and is similar between calcifying and noncalcifying cells, suggesting that these ion pools may not be a dynamic avenue for calcium transport. In such a case, the enigma behind the ability of coccolithophores to sustain intracellular calcification still awaits comprehensive elucidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadas Peled-Zehavi
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Assaf Gal
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
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12
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Arundhathy M, Jyothibabu R, Santhikrishnan S, Albin KJ, Parthasarathi S, Rashid CP. Coccolithophores: an environmentally significant and understudied phytoplankton group in the Indian Ocean. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 193:144. [PMID: 33629200 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-020-08794-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Coccolithophores are unique primary producers in the ocean with the ability to calcify. They are known to produce calcareous scales, which form the significant part of calcite oozes or chalk deposits on the seafloor. Coccolithophores are very noteworthy and they are explored to a great extent as nannofossils to reconstruct the past climate. Calcite plates in coccolithophores make them a vital tool in global climate change studies specifically with ocean acidification. These microscopic plants are the major contributor of the carbonate rain that controls the inorganic carbon pump in the ocean, which in turn influences both carbon and carbonate cycles. The emergence of advanced techniques enables us to study the biological aspects of this pelagic calcifier with improved precision. But still, they are understudied world over compared to any other phytoplankton groups. The northern Indian Ocean, being landlocked in three sides and vulnerable to climate change and ocean acidification, severely lacks focused studies on coccolithophores, though the US JGOFS in the 1990s have outlined the ecological significance of coccolithophores in the Arabian Sea. This paper reviews and outlines our understanding of coccolithophores as well as the nix in the northern Indian Ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Arundhathy
- Regional Centre, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Kochi, Kerala, 628018, India
| | - R Jyothibabu
- Regional Centre, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Kochi, Kerala, 628018, India.
| | - S Santhikrishnan
- Regional Centre, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Kochi, Kerala, 628018, India
| | - K J Albin
- Regional Centre, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Kochi, Kerala, 628018, India
| | - S Parthasarathi
- Regional Centre, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Kochi, Kerala, 628018, India
| | - C P Rashid
- Regional Centre, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Kochi, Kerala, 628018, India
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13
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Brownlee C, Langer G, Wheeler GL. Coccolithophore calcification: Changing paradigms in changing oceans. Acta Biomater 2021; 120:4-11. [PMID: 32763469 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.07.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Coccolithophores represent a major component of the marine phytoplankton and contribute to the bulk of biogenic calcite formation on Earth. These unicellular protists produce minute calcite scales (coccoliths) within the cell, which are secreted to the cell surface. Individual coccoliths and their arrangements on the cell surface display a wide range of morphological variations. This review explores some of the recent evidence that points to similarities and differences in the mechanisms of calcification, focussing on the transport mechanisms that bring substrates to, and remove products from the site of calcification, together with new findings on factors that regulate coccolith morphology. We argue that better knowledge of these mechanisms and their variations is needed to inform more generally how different species of coccolithophore are likely to respond to changes in ocean chemistry. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Coccolithophores, minute single celled phytoplankton are the major producers of biogenic carbonate on Earth. They also represent an important component of the ocean's biota and contribute significantly to global carbon fluxes. Coccolithophores produce intricate calcite scales (coccoliths) internally that they secrete onto their external surface. This review presents some recent key findings on the mechanisms underlying the production of coccoliths. It also considers the factors that regulate the rate of production as well as the variety of shapes of individual coccoliths and their arrangements at the cell surface. Understanding these processes is needed to allow better predictions of how coccolithophores may respond to changing ocean chemistry associated with climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Brownlee
- Marine Biological Association, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK; School of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK.
| | - Gerald Langer
- Marine Biological Association, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK
| | - Glen L Wheeler
- Marine Biological Association, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK
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14
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Silvestri A, Pätzold J, Fratzl P, Scheffel A, Faivre D. Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Microspectroscopy Enables the Direct Characterization of Biomineral-Associated Organic Material on Single Calcareous Microskeletons. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:8623-8629. [PMID: 32960608 PMCID: PMC7584362 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c02041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Biominerals are composite materials with inorganic and organic components. The latter provide insights into how organisms control mineralization and, if derived from micro/nannofossils, into past climates. Many calcifying organisms cannot be cultured or are extinct; the only materials available for their study are therefore complex environmental samples in which the organism of interest may only be a minor component. There is currently no method for characterizing the biomineral-associated organic material from single particles within such assemblages, so its compositional diversity is unknown. Focusing on coccoliths, we demonstrate that surface-enhanced Raman scattering microspectroscopy can be used to determine the origin and composition of fossil organic matter at the single-particle level in a heterogeneous micro/nannofossil assemblage. This approach may find applications in the study of micro/nannofossil assemblages and uncultivated species, providing evolutionary insights into the macromolecular repertoire involved in biomineralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Silvestri
- Max
Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Biomaterials, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Max
Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Jürgen Pätzold
- University
of Bremen, MARUM-Center for
Marine Environmental Sciences, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Peter Fratzl
- Max
Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Biomaterials, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - André Scheffel
- Max
Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Damien Faivre
- Max
Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Biomaterials, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Aix-Marseille
Université, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, 13108 Saint Paul lez Durance, France
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15
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Nam O, Suzuki I, Shiraiwa Y, Jin E. Association of Phosphatidylinositol-Specific Phospholipase C with Calcium-Induced Biomineralization in the Coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1389. [PMID: 32927844 PMCID: PMC7563939 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomineralization by calcifying microalgae is a precisely controlled intracellular calcification process that produces delicate calcite scales (or coccoliths) in the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi (Haptophycea). Despite its importance in biogeochemical cycles and the marine environment globally, the underlying molecular mechanism of intracellular coccolith formation, which requires calcium, bicarbonate, and coccolith-polysaccharides, remains unclear. In E. huxleyi CCMP 371, we demonstrated that reducing the calcium concentration from 10 (ambient seawater) to 0.1 mM strongly restricted coccolith production, which was then recovered by adding 10 mM calcium, irrespective of inorganic phosphate conditions, indicating that coccolith production could be finely controlled by the calcium supply. Using this strain, we investigated the expression of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to observe the cellular events induced by changes in calcium concentrations. Intriguingly, DEG analysis revealed that the phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) gene was upregulated and coccolith production by cells was blocked by the PI-PLC inhibitor U73122 under conditions closely associated with calcium-induced calcification. These findings imply that PI-PLC plays an important role in the biomineralization process of the coccolithophore E. huxleyi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onyou Nam
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea;
| | - Iwane Suzuki
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan; (I.S.); (Y.S.)
| | - Yoshihiro Shiraiwa
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan; (I.S.); (Y.S.)
| | - EonSeon Jin
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea;
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16
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Duan Y, Petzold M, Saleem‐Batcha R, Teufel R. Bacterial Tropone Natural Products and Derivatives: Overview of their Biosynthesis, Bioactivities, Ecological Role and Biotechnological Potential. Chembiochem 2020; 21:2384-2407. [PMID: 32239689 PMCID: PMC7497051 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Tropone natural products are non-benzene aromatic compounds of significant ecological and pharmaceutical interest. Herein, we highlight current knowledge on bacterial tropones and their derivatives such as tropolones, tropodithietic acid, and roseobacticides. Their unusual biosynthesis depends on a universal CoA-bound precursor featuring a seven-membered carbon ring as backbone, which is generated by a side reaction of the phenylacetic acid catabolic pathway. Enzymes encoded by separate gene clusters then further modify this key intermediate by oxidation, CoA-release, or incorporation of sulfur among other reactions. Tropones play important roles in the terrestrial and marine environment where they act as antibiotics, algaecides, or quorum sensing signals, while their bacterial producers are often involved in symbiotic interactions with plants and marine invertebrates (e. g., algae, corals, sponges, or mollusks). Because of their potent bioactivities and of slowly developing bacterial resistance, tropones and their derivatives hold great promise for biomedical or biotechnological applications, for instance as antibiotics in (shell)fish aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Duan
- Faculty of BiologyUniversity of Freiburg79104FreiburgGermany
| | - Melanie Petzold
- Faculty of BiologyUniversity of Freiburg79104FreiburgGermany
| | | | - Robin Teufel
- Faculty of BiologyUniversity of Freiburg79104FreiburgGermany
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17
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Kadan Y, Aram L, Shimoni E, Levin-Zaidman S, Rosenwasser S, Gal A. In situ electron microscopy characterization of intracellular ion pools in mineral forming microalgae. J Struct Biol 2020; 210:107465. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2020.107465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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18
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Walker J, Marzec B, Ozaki N, Clare D, Nudelman F. Morphological development of Pleurochrysis carterae coccoliths examined by cryo-electron tomography. J Struct Biol 2020; 210:107476. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2020.107476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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19
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Fukuda TTH, Cassilly CD, Gerdt JP, Henke MT, Helfrich EJN, Mevers E. Research Tales from the Clardy Laboratory: Function-Driven Natural Product Discovery. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2020; 83:744-755. [PMID: 32105475 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b01086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 70 years, the search for small molecules from nature has transformed biomedical research: natural products are the basis for half of all pharmaceuticals; the quest for total synthesis of natural products fueled development of methodologies for organic synthesis; and their biosynthesis presented unprecedented biochemical transformations, expanding our chemo-enzymatic toolkit. Initially, the discovery of small molecules was driven by bioactivity-guided fractionation. However, this approach yielded the frequent rediscovery of already known metabolites. As a result, focus shifted to identifying novel scaffolds through either structure-first methods or genome mining, relegating function as a secondary concern. Over the past two decades, the laboratory of Jon Clardy has taken an alternative route and focused on an ecology-driven, function-first approach in pursuit of uncovering bacterial small molecules with biological activity. In this review, we highlight several examples that showcase this ecology-first approach. Though the highlighted systems are diverse, unifying themes are (1) to understand how microbes interact with their host or environment, (2) to gain insights into the environmental roles of microbial metabolites, and (3) to explore pharmaceutical potential from these ecologically relevant metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taise T H Fukuda
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café, s/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Chelsi D Cassilly
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Joseph P Gerdt
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Matthew T Henke
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Eric J N Helfrich
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Emily Mevers
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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20
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Chen X, Kameshwar AKS, Chio C, Lu F, Qin W. Effect of KNO 3 on Lipid Synthesis and CaCO 3 Accumulation in Pleurochrysis dentata Coccoliths with a Special Focus on Morphological Characters of Coccolithophores. Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15:2844-2858. [PMID: 31853222 PMCID: PMC6909966 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.35664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pleurochrysis genus algae are widely distributed in ocean waters. Pleurochrysis sp. algae are popularly known for its coccolithophores. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) shells are major components of the coccolithophore, and they are key absorbers of carbondioxide. In this study, we have reported the effects of potassium nitrate (KNO3) concentration on calcium accumulation and total lipid, carbohydrate and protein contents of Pleurochrysis dentata. Results obtained from complexometric titration and scanning electron microscopy analysis showed higher rates of CaCO3 accumulation on Pleurochrysis dentata cell surface. We have also observed that overall cell size of Pleurochrysis dentata reached maximum when it was cultured at 0.75 mmol L-1 of KNO3. During 10 days of Pleurochrysis dentata culture total lipids and carbohydrate contents decreased, with slightly increased protein content. Results obtained from Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) also reported an increase in protein and decrease in lipids and carbohydrate contents, respectively. Similarly, Pleurochrysis dentata cultured at 1 mmol L-1 concentration of KNO3 exhibited the lowest carbohydrate (21.08%) and highest protein (32.87%) contents. Interestingly, Pleurochrysis dentata cultured without KNO3 exhibited 33.61% of total lipid content which reduced to a total lipid content of 13.67% when cultured at 1 mmol L-1 concentration of KNO3. Thus, culture medium containing higher than 1 mmol L-1 of KNO3 could inhibit the cell size of Pleurochrysis dentata and CaCO3 accumulation in shells but it could promote its cell growth. For the first time we have reported a relatively complete coccolith structure devoid of its protoplast. In this study, we have also described about the special planar structure of Pleurochrysis dentata CaCO3 shells present on its inner tube of the R unit and parallel to the outer tube of the V unit which we named it as "doornail structure". We believe that this doornail structure provides structural stability and support to the developing coccoliths in Pleurochrysis dentata. Also, we have discussed about the "double-disc" structure of coccoliths which are closely arranged and interlocked with each other. The double-disc structure ensures fixation of each coccolith and objecting its free horizontal movement and helps in attaining a complementary coccolith structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuantong Chen
- Department of Biology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada
- Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | | | - Chonlong Chio
- Department of Biology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Fan Lu
- School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China, 430068
| | - Wensheng Qin
- Department of Biology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada
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21
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Nam O, Park JM, Lee H, Jin E. De novo transcriptome profile of coccolithophorid alga Emiliania huxleyi CCMP371 at different calcium concentrations with proteome analysis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221938. [PMID: 31465514 PMCID: PMC6715215 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The haptophyte alga Emiliania huxleyi is the most abundant coccolithophore in the modern ocean and produces elaborate calcite crystals, called coccolith, in a separate intracellular compartment known as the coccolith vesicle. Despite the importance of biomineralization in coccolithophores, the molecular mechanism underlying it remains unclear. Understanding this precise machinery at the molecular level will provide the knowledge needed to enable further manipulation of biomineralization. In our previous study, altering the calcium concentration modified the calcifying ability of E. huxleyi CCMP371. Therefore in this study, we tested E. huxleyi cells acclimated to three different calcium concentrations (0, 0.1, and 10 mM). To understand the whole transcript profile at different calcium concentrations, RNA-sequencing was performed and used for de novo assembly and annotation. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among the three different calcium concentrations were analyzed. The functional classification by gene ontology (GO) revealed that 'intrinsic component of membrane' was the most enriched of the GO terms at the ambient calcium concentration (10 mM) compared with the limited calcium concentrations (0 and 0.1 mM). Moreover, the DEGs in those comparisons were enriched mainly in 'secondary metabolites biosynthesis, transport and catabolism' and 'signal transduction mechanisms' in the KOG clusters and 'processing in endoplasmic reticulum', and 'ABC transporters' in the KEGG pathways. Furthermore, metabolic pathways involved in protein synthesis were enriched among the differentially expressed proteins. The results of this study provide a molecular profile for understanding the expression of transcripts and proteins in E. huxleyi at different calcium concentrations, which will help to identify the detailed mechanism of its calcification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onyou Nam
- Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Moon Park
- Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gachon College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hookeun Lee
- Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gachon College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - EonSeon Jin
- Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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22
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Fu LH, Qi C, Hu YR, Mei CG, Ma MG. Cellulose/vaterite nanocomposites: Sonochemical synthesis, characterization, and their application in protein adsorption. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2018; 96:426-435. [PMID: 30606552 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2018.11.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Vaterite is recognized as an important biomedical material owing to its features such as high specific surface area, high solubility, high dispersion, and small specific gravity. Herein, we report a facile and green sonochemical route to prepare vaterite nanospheres (assembled from rice-shaped nanoparticles) with average diameter of 206-246 nm by using cellulose as substrate. The important role of cellulose concentration on the phase of the products was systematically investigated, and the formation mechanism of vaterite was proposed. Moreover, the as-prepared cellulose/vaterite nanocomposites have a good cytocompatibility and a relatively high protein adsorption ability using hemoglobin as a model protein. These results indicate that the as-prepared cellulose/vaterite nanocomposites are promising for applications in biomedical fields, such as protein adsorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian-Hua Fu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China
| | - Chao Qi
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China
| | - Yan-Ru Hu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China
| | - Chang-Gen Mei
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 64300, PR China
| | - Ming-Guo Ma
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 64300, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry, College of Materials Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China.
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23
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Lomora M, Shumate D, Rahman AA, Pandit A. Therapeutic Applications of Phytoplankton, with an Emphasis on Diatoms and Coccolithophores. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.201800099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mihai Lomora
- SFI Centre For Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM); National University of Ireland; Galway Ireland
| | - David Shumate
- SFI Centre For Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM); National University of Ireland; Galway Ireland
- Georgia Institute of Technology; Atlanta GA 30332 USA
| | - Asrizal Abdul Rahman
- SFI Centre For Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM); National University of Ireland; Galway Ireland
| | - Abhay Pandit
- SFI Centre For Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM); National University of Ireland; Galway Ireland
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24
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Native-state imaging of calcifying and noncalcifying microalgae reveals similarities in their calcium storage organelles. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:11000-11005. [PMID: 30287487 PMCID: PMC6205483 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1804139115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Coccolithophores are abundant unicellular marine algae that produce calcified scales via a controlled intracellular process. Understanding the cellular controls over the calcification process is a pressing need to predict the influence of changing oceanic conditions on these major contributors to global marine calcification and carbon fluxes. Using several microalgae, and a combination of state-of-the-art cryoelectron and cryo soft X-ray microscopy, we demonstrate that the recently discovered calcium stores of coccolithophores are similar to the common calcium storage organelles of noncalcifying organisms. These results relate questions of environmental and evolutionary significance to a large body of physiological and molecular genetic findings of better-characterized organisms, and therefore provide fresh entry points for understanding calcification in coccolithophores. Calcium storage organelles are common to all eukaryotic organisms and play a pivotal role in calcium signaling and cellular calcium homeostasis. In most organelles, the intraorganellar calcium concentrations rarely exceed micromolar levels. Acidic organelles called acidocalcisomes, which concentrate calcium into dense phases together with polyphosphates, are an exception. These organelles have been identified in diverse organisms, but, to date, only in cells that do not form calcium biominerals. Recently, a compartment storing molar levels of calcium together with phosphorous was discovered in an intracellularly calcifying alga, the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi, raising a possible connection between calcium storage organelles and calcite biomineralization. Here we used cryoimaging and cryospectroscopy techniques to investigate the anatomy and chemical composition of calcium storage organelles in their native state and at nanometer-scale resolution. We show that the dense calcium phase inside the calcium storage compartment of the calcifying coccolithophore Pleurochrysis carterae and the calcium phase stored in acidocalcisomes of the noncalcifying alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii have common features. Our observations suggest that this strategy for concentrating calcium is a widespread trait and has been adapted for coccolith formation. The link we describe between acidocalcisomal calcium storage and calcium storage in coccolithophores implies that our physiological and molecular genetic understanding of acidocalcisomes could have relevance to the calcium pathway underlying coccolithophore calcification, offering a fresh entry point for mechanistic investigations on the adaptability of this process to changing oceanic conditions.
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25
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Gal A. Looking away from the streetlight - new insights into marine calcification. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2018; 220:5-7. [PMID: 30156024 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Assaf Gal
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
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26
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Walker CE, Taylor AR, Langer G, Durak GM, Heath S, Probert I, Tyrrell T, Brownlee C, Wheeler GL. The requirement for calcification differs between ecologically important coccolithophore species. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2018; 220:147-162. [PMID: 29916209 PMCID: PMC6175242 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Coccolithophores are globally distributed unicellular marine algae that are characterized by their covering of calcite coccoliths. Calcification by coccolithophores contributes significantly to global biogeochemical cycles. However, the physiological requirement for calcification remains poorly understood as non-calcifying strains of some commonly used model species, such as Emiliania huxleyi, grow normally in laboratory culture. To determine whether the requirement for calcification differs between coccolithophore species, we utilized multiple independent methodologies to disrupt calcification in two important species of coccolithophore: E. huxleyi and Coccolithus braarudii. We investigated their physiological response and used time-lapse imaging to visualize the processes of calcification and cell division in individual cells. Disruption of calcification resulted in major growth defects in C. braarudii, but not in E. huxleyi. We found no evidence that calcification supports photosynthesis in C. braarudii, but showed that an inability to maintain an intact coccosphere results in cell cycle arrest. We found that C. braarudii is very different from E. huxleyi as it exhibits an obligate requirement for calcification. The identification of a growth defect in C. braarudii resulting from disruption of the coccosphere may be important in considering their response to future changes in ocean carbonate chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte E. Walker
- Marine Biological AssociationPlymouthPL1 2PBUK
- School of Ocean and Earth ScienceUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonSO14 3ZHUK
| | - Alison R. Taylor
- Department of Biology and Marine BiologyUniversity of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmingtonNC28403‐591USA
| | | | | | - Sarah Heath
- Marine Biological AssociationPlymouthPL1 2PBUK
| | - Ian Probert
- Station Biologique de RoscoffPlace Georges Teisser29680RoscoffFrance
| | - Toby Tyrrell
- School of Ocean and Earth ScienceUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonSO14 3ZHUK
| | - Colin Brownlee
- Marine Biological AssociationPlymouthPL1 2PBUK
- School of Ocean and Earth ScienceUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonSO14 3ZHUK
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Hata Y, Sawada T, Serizawa T. Macromolecular crowding for materials-directed controlled self-assembly. J Mater Chem B 2018; 6:6344-6359. [PMID: 32254643 DOI: 10.1039/c8tb02201a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Macromolecular crowding refers to intracellular environments where various macromolecules, including proteins and nucleic acids, are present at high total concentrations. Its influence on biological processes has been investigated using a highly concentrated in vitro solution of water-soluble polymers as a model. Studies have revealed significant effects of macromolecular crowding on the thermodynamic equilibria and dynamics of biomolecular self-assembly in vivo. Recently, macromolecular crowding has attracted materials scientists, especially those in bio-related areas, as a tool to control molecular/colloidal self-assembly. Macromolecular crowding has been exploited to control the structure of supramolecular materials, assemble nanomaterials, and improve the performance of polymeric materials. Furthermore, nanostructured materials have been shown to be an interesting alternative to water-soluble polymers for creating crowded environments for controlled self-assembly. In this review article, we summarize recent progress in research on macromolecular crowding for controlled self-assembly in bio-related materials chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuuki Hata
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-H121 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
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Li T, Guo C, Zhang Y, Wang C, Lin X, Lin S. Identification and Expression Analysis of an Atypical Alkaline Phosphatase in Emiliania huxleyi. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2156. [PMID: 30283412 PMCID: PMC6156274 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Emiliania huxleyi, a cosmopolitan coccolithophore in the modern ocean, plays an important role in the carbon cycle and local climate feedback as it can form extensive blooms, calcify, and produce dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) leading to the generation of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) which affects climate when oxidized in the atmosphere. It is known to be able to utilize dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) by expressing a specific type of alkaline phosphatase (EHAP1) under phosphorus-limited conditions. In this study, we identified a new alkaline phosphatase (EH-PhoAaty) in this species, which we found belongs to the newly classified PhoAaty family. The expression of this atypical phosphatase was up-regulated under P-depleted conditions at both the transcriptional and translational levels, suggesting that E. huxleyi is able to express this AP to cope with phosphorus limitation. Comparative analysis revealed different transcriptional expression dynamics between eh-PhoAaty and ehap1, although both genes exhibited inducible expression under phosphate deficiency. In addition, after AP activity was eliminated by using EDTA to chelate metal ions, we found that AP activity was recovered with the supplement of Ca2+ and Zn2+, indicative of the adoption of Ca2+ as the cofactor under Zn-P co-limited conditions, likely a result of adaptation to oceanic environments where Zn2+ is often limiting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tangcheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and Xiamen City Key Laboratory of Urban Sea Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Chentao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and Xiamen City Key Laboratory of Urban Sea Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yaqun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and Xiamen City Key Laboratory of Urban Sea Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Cong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and Xiamen City Key Laboratory of Urban Sea Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and Xiamen City Key Laboratory of Urban Sea Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Senjie Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and Xiamen City Key Laboratory of Urban Sea Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT, United States
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29
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Blueprints for the Next Generation of Bioinspired and Biomimetic Mineralised Composites for Bone Regeneration. Mar Drugs 2018; 16:md16080288. [PMID: 30127281 PMCID: PMC6117730 DOI: 10.3390/md16080288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Coccolithophores are unicellular marine phytoplankton, which produce intricate, tightly regulated, exoskeleton calcite structures. The formation of biogenic calcite occurs either intracellularly, forming ‘wheel-like’ calcite plates, or extracellularly, forming ‘tiled-like’ plates known as coccoliths. Secreted coccoliths then self-assemble into multiple layers to form the coccosphere, creating a protective wall around the organism. The cell wall hosts a variety of unique species-specific inorganic morphologies that cannot be replicated synthetically. Although biomineralisation has been extensively studied, it is still not fully understood. It is becoming more apparent that biologically controlled mineralisation is still an elusive goal. A key question to address is how nature goes from basic building blocks to the ultrafine, highly organised structures found in coccolithophores. A better understanding of coccolithophore biomineralisation will offer new insight into biomimetic and bioinspired synthesis of advanced, functionalised materials for bone tissue regeneration. The purpose of this review is to spark new interest in biomineralisation and gain new insight into coccolithophores from a material science perspective, drawing on existing knowledge from taxonomists, geologists, palaeontologists and phycologists.
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Sun S, Liu M, Nie X, Dong F, Hu W, Tan D, Huo T. A synergetic biomineralization strategy for immobilizing strontium during calcification of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:22446-22454. [PMID: 29368204 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-1271-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The coccolithophore species Emiliania huxleyi has one of the most global distributions in the modern oceans. They are characteristically covered with calcite scales called coccoliths. In this study, stable strontium immobilization during the calcification process was investigated to indirectly assess a proposed bioremediation approach for removing Sr2+ contamination from marine environments. Results indicate that E. huxleyi has high Sr2+ tolerance and removal efficiency in response to Sr2+ stress ranging from 5.6 to 105.6 ppm. Sr2+ immobilization during E. huxleyi calcification indicates a concentration-dependent synergistic mechanism. At lower concentrations of Sr2+ (25.6 ppm), Sr2+ is incorporated into coccoliths through competitive supply between Sr2+ and Ca2+. In addition, calcite productivity decreases with increased Sr2+ removal efficiency due to crystallographic transformation of coccoliths from hydrated calcite into aragonite at 55.6 ppm Sr2+. Further formation of strontianite at 105.6 ppm Sr2+ is due to precipitation of Sr2+ on the edge of the rims and radial arrays of the coccoliths. Our study implies that coccolithophores are capable of significant removal of Sr2+ from the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyong Sun
- Institute of Non-metallic Minerals, Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycle, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China
- Low-cost Wastewater Treatment Technology International Sci-Tech Cooperation Base of Sichuan Province, Mianyang, 621010, China
| | - Mingxue Liu
- Institute of Non-metallic Minerals, Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycle, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China
| | - Xiaoqin Nie
- Institute of Non-metallic Minerals, Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycle, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China
| | - Faqin Dong
- Institute of Non-metallic Minerals, Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycle, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China.
- Low-cost Wastewater Treatment Technology International Sci-Tech Cooperation Base of Sichuan Province, Mianyang, 621010, China.
| | - Wenyuan Hu
- Institute of Non-metallic Minerals, Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycle, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China
| | - Daoyong Tan
- Institute of Non-metallic Minerals, Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycle, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China
| | - Tingting Huo
- Institute of Non-metallic Minerals, Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycle, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China
- Low-cost Wastewater Treatment Technology International Sci-Tech Cooperation Base of Sichuan Province, Mianyang, 621010, China
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A coastal coccolithophore maintains pH homeostasis and switches carbon sources in response to ocean acidification. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2857. [PMID: 30030435 PMCID: PMC6054640 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04463-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocean acidification will potentially inhibit calcification by marine organisms; however, the response of the most prolific ocean calcifiers, coccolithophores, to this perturbation remains under characterized. Here we report novel chemical constraints on the response of the widespread coccolithophore species Ochrosphaera neapolitana (O. neapolitana) to changing-CO2 conditions. We cultured this algae under three pCO2-controlled seawater pH conditions (8.05, 8.22, and 8.33). Boron isotopes within the algae's extracellular calcite plates show that this species maintains a constant pH at the calcification site, regardless of CO2-induced changes in pH of the surrounding seawater. Carbon and oxygen isotopes in the algae's calcite plates and carbon isotopes in the algae's organic matter suggest that O. neapolitana utilize carbon from a single internal dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) pool for both calcification and photosynthesis, and that a greater proportion of dissolved CO2 relative to HCO3- enters the internal DIC pool under acidified conditions. These two observations may explain how O. neapolitana continues calcifying and photosynthesizing at a constant rate under different atmospheric-pCO2 conditions.
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Sakurada S, Fujiwara S, Suzuki M, Kogure T, Uchida T, Umemura T, Tsuzuki M. Involvement of Acidic Polysaccharide Ph-PS-2 and Protein in Initiation of Coccolith Mineralization, as Demonstrated by In Vitro Calcification on the Base Plate. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2018; 20:304-312. [PMID: 29619589 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-018-9818-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Coccolithophorids, unicellular marine microalgae, have calcified scales with elaborate structures, called coccoliths, on the cell surface. Coccoliths generally comprise a base plate, CaCO3, and a crystal coat consisting of acidic polysaccharides. In this study, the in vitro calcification conditions on the base plate of Pleurochrysis haptonemofera were examined to determine the functions of the base plate and acidic polysaccharides (Ph-PS-1, -2, and -3). When EDTA-treated coccoliths (acidic polysaccharide-free base plates) or low pH-treated coccoliths (whole acidic polysaccharide-containing base plates) were used, mineralization was not detected on the base plate. In contrast, in the case of coccoliths which were decalcified by lowering of the pH and then treated with urea (Ph-PS-2-containing base plates), distinct aggregates, probably containing CaCO3, were observed only on the rim of the base plates. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed that the aggregates contained Ca and O, although X-ray diffraction analysis did not reveal any evidence of crystalline materials. Also, in vitro mineralization experiments performed on EDTA-treated coccoliths using isolated acidic polysaccharides demonstrated that the Ca-containing aggregates were markedly formed only in the presence of Ph-PS-2. Furthermore, in vitro mineralization experiments conducted on protein-extracted base plates suggested that the coccolith-associated protein(s) are involved in the Ca deposition. These findings suggest that Ph-PS-2 associated with the protein(s) on the base plate rim initiates Ca2+ binding at the beginning of coccolith formation, and some other factors are required for subsequent calcite formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunto Sakurada
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan
| | - Shoko Fujiwara
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan.
| | - Michio Suzuki
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Kogure
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Uchida
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan
| | - Tomonari Umemura
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan
| | - Mikio Tsuzuki
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan
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Nakae S, Shionyu M, Ogawa T, Shirai T. Structures of jacalin-related lectin PPL3 regulating pearl shell biomineralization. Proteins 2018. [PMID: 29524263 DOI: 10.1002/prot.25491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The nacreous layer of pearl oysters is one of the major biominerals of commercial and industrial interest. Jacalin-related lectins, including PPL3 isoforms, are known to regulate biomineralization of the Pteria penguin pearl shell, although the molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. The PPL3 crystal structures were determined partly by utilizing microgravity environments for 3 isoforms, namely, PPL3A, PPL3B, and PPL3C. The structures revealed a tail-to-tail dimer structure established by forming a unique inter-subunit disulfide bond at C-termini. The N-terminal residues were found in pyroglutamate form, and this was partly explained by the post-translational modification of PPL3 isoforms implied from the discrepancy between amino acid and gene sequences. The complex structures with trehalose and isomaltose indicated that the novel specificity originated from the unique α-helix of PPL3 isoforms. Docking simulations of PPL3B to various calcite crystal faces suggested the edge of a β-sheet and the carbohydrate-binding site rich in charged residues were the interface to the biomineral, and implied that the isoforms differed in calcite interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Setsu Nakae
- Faculty of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, 1266 Tamura-Cho, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829, Japan
| | - Masafumi Shionyu
- Faculty of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, 1266 Tamura-Cho, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Ogawa
- Department of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Shirai
- Faculty of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, 1266 Tamura-Cho, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829, Japan
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Yin X, Ziegler A, Kelm K, Hoffmann R, Watermeyer P, Alexa P, Villinger C, Rupp U, Schlüter L, Reusch TBH, Griesshaber E, Walther P, Schmahl WW. Formation and mosaicity of coccolith segment calcite of the marine algae Emiliania huxleyi. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2018; 54:85-104. [PMID: 29092105 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Coccolithophores belong to the most abundant calcium carbonate mineralizing organisms. Coccolithophore biomineralization is a complex and highly regulated process, resulting in a product that strongly differs in its intricate morphology from the abiogenically produced mineral equivalent. Moreover, unlike extracellularly formed biological carbonate hard tissues, coccolith calcite is neither a hybrid composite, nor is it distinguished by a hierarchical microstructure. This is remarkable as the key to optimizing crystalline biomaterials for mechanical strength and toughness lies in the composite nature of the biological hard tissue and the utilization of specific microstructures. To obtain insight into the pathway of biomineralization of Emiliania huxleyi coccoliths, we examine intracrystalline nanostructural features of the coccolith calcite in combination with cell ultrastructural observations related to the formation of the calcite in the coccolith vesicle within the cell. With TEM diffraction and annular dark-field imaging, we prove the presence of planar imperfections in the calcite crystals such as planar mosaic block boundaries. As only minor misorientations occur, we attribute them to dislocation networks creating small-angle boundaries. Intracrystalline occluded biopolymers are not observed. Hence, in E. huxleyi calcite mosaicity is not caused by occluded biopolymers, as it is the case in extracellularly formed hard tissues of marine invertebrates, but by planar defects and dislocations which are typical for crystals formed by classical ion-by-ion growth mechanisms. Using cryo-preparation techniques for SEM and TEM, we found that the membrane of the coccolith vesicle and the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope are in tight proximity, with a well-controlled constant gap of ~4 nm between them. We describe this conspicuous connection as a not yet described interorganelle junction, the "nuclear envelope junction". The narrow gap of this junction likely facilitates transport of Ca2+ ions from the nuclear envelope to the coccolith vesicle. On the basis of our observations, we propose that formation of the coccolith utilizes the nuclear envelope-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ -store of the cell for the transport of Ca2+ ions from the external medium to the coccolith vesicle and that E. huxleyi calcite forms by ion-by-ion growth rather than by a nanoparticle accretion mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Yin
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, 80333, Germany
| | - Andreas Ziegler
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, University of Ulm, Ulm, 89081, Germany
| | - Klemens Kelm
- Institute of Materials Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, 51147, Germany
| | - Ramona Hoffmann
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, 80333, Germany
| | - Philipp Watermeyer
- Institute of Materials Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, 51147, Germany
| | - Patrick Alexa
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, 80333, Germany
| | - Clarissa Villinger
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, University of Ulm, Ulm, 89081, Germany
- Institute of Virology, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, 89081, Germany
| | - Ulrich Rupp
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, University of Ulm, Ulm, 89081, Germany
| | - Lothar Schlüter
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Marine Ecology - Evolutionary Ecology, Kiel, 24105, Germany
| | - Thorsten B H Reusch
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Marine Ecology - Evolutionary Ecology, Kiel, 24105, Germany
| | - Erika Griesshaber
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, 80333, Germany
| | - Paul Walther
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, University of Ulm, Ulm, 89081, Germany
| | - Wolfgang W Schmahl
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, 80333, Germany
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Hughes EAB, Williams RL, Cox SC, Grover LM. Biologically Analogous Calcium Phosphate Tubes from a Chemical Garden. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2017; 33:2059-2067. [PMID: 28135096 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b04574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Calcium phosphate (CaPO4) tubes with features comparable to mineralized biological microstructures, such as Haversian canals, were grown from a calcium gel/phosphate solution chemical garden system. A significant difference in gel mass in response to high and low solute phosphate equivalent environments existed within 30 min of solution layering upon gel (p = 0.0067), suggesting that the nature of advective movement between gel and solution is dependent on the solution concentration. The transport of calcium cations (Ca2+) and phosphate anions (PO43-) was quantified and changes in pH were monitored to explain the preferential formation of tubes within a PO43- concentration range of 0.5-1.25 M. Ingress from the anionic solution phase into the gel followed by the liberation of Ca2+ ions from the gel was found to be essential for acquiring self-assembled tubular CaPO4 structures. Tube analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and micro X-ray florescence (μ-XRF) revealed hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD, CaHPO4·2H2O) phases organized in a hierarchical manner. Notably, the tubule diameters ranged from 100 to 150 μm, an ideal size for the permeation of vasculature in biological hard tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik A B Hughes
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham , Edgbaston B15 2TT, U.K
| | - Richard L Williams
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham , Edgbaston B15 2TT, U.K
| | - Sophie C Cox
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham , Edgbaston B15 2TT, U.K
| | - Liam M Grover
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham , Edgbaston B15 2TT, U.K
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Jakob I, Chairopoulou MA, Vučak M, Posten C, Teipel U. Biogenic calcite particles from microalgae-Coccoliths as a potential raw material. Eng Life Sci 2017; 17:605-612. [PMID: 28701909 PMCID: PMC5484330 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.201600183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic calcite (CaCO3) particles are found in a broad range of applications. The geometry of particles produced from limestone or precipitation are versatile but limited to basic shapes. The microalga Emiliania huxleyi produces micro-structured calcite platelets, called coccoliths. This article presents the results of an application-orientated study, which includes characteristic values also used in the calcite industry for particle evaluation. It is demonstrated that coccoliths are significantly different from all industrial particles produced so far. Coccoliths are porous particles, mainly consisted of calcium carbonate, with further elements such as Mg, Si, Sr, and Fe often embedded in their structure. Their structure is extremely sophisticated, while the overall particle morphology and particle size distribution are homogeneous. This study gives a first inside into the potential of these exceptional objects and may set further impulses for their utilization in specific calcite particle applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Jakob
- Institute of Process Engineering in Life Science Section III: Bioprocess Engineering Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Karlsruhe Germany
| | | | | | - Clemens Posten
- Institute of Process Engineering in Life Science Section III: Bioprocess Engineering Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Karlsruhe Germany
| | - Ulrich Teipel
- Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm Institute for Mechanical Process Engineering Nuremberg Germany
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Segev E, Wyche TP, Kim KH, Petersen J, Ellebrandt C, Vlamakis H, Barteneva N, Paulson JN, Chai L, Clardy J, Kolter R. Dynamic metabolic exchange governs a marine algal-bacterial interaction. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27855786 PMCID: PMC5148602 DOI: 10.7554/elife.17473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Emiliania huxleyi is a model coccolithophore micro-alga that generates vast blooms in the ocean. Bacteria are not considered among the major factors influencing coccolithophore physiology. Here we show through a laboratory model system that the bacterium Phaeobacter inhibens, a well-studied member of the Roseobacter group, intimately interacts with E. huxleyi. While attached to the algal cell, bacteria initially promote algal growth but ultimately kill their algal host. Both algal growth enhancement and algal death are driven by the bacterially-produced phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid. Bacterial production of indole-3-acetic acid and attachment to algae are significantly increased by tryptophan, which is exuded from the algal cell. Algal death triggered by bacteria involves activation of pathways unique to oxidative stress response and programmed cell death. Our observations suggest that bacteria greatly influence the physiology and metabolism of E. huxleyi. Coccolithophore-bacteria interactions should be further studied in the environment to determine whether they impact micro-algal population dynamics on a global scale. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.17473.001 Microscopic algae that live in the ocean release countless tons of oxygen into the atmosphere each year. Widespread algae – known as coccolithophores – surround their little plant-like body with a mineral shell made of a material similar to chalk. These microscopic algae form seasonal blooms. Over several weeks in early summer, the algae grow to enormous numbers and cover hundreds of thousands of square kilometers in the ocean. These blooms become so vast that satellites can detect them. However, suddenly the blooms collapse; the algae die and their chalky shells sink to the bottom of the ocean where they have been accumulating for millions of years. More and more evidence suggests that these tiny algae interact with bacteria in various ways. However, so far, no one had documented a direct interaction between bacteria and a member of this key group of algae. Now, in a controlled laboratory environment, Segev et al. show that marine bacteria from the Roseobacter group physically attach onto a tiny coccolithophore alga called Emiliania huxleyi. While the bacteria are attached to their algal host, they enjoy a supply of nutrients that trickles from the algal cell. Unexpectedly, Segev et al. also discovered that the algae grow better in the presence of the bacteria. It turns out that the bacteria use a molecule that they obtain from their algal hosts to produce a small hormone-like molecule that in turn enhances the growth of the algae. However, after three weeks of growing together, the bacteria produce so much of the growth-enhancing molecule – which is harmful in higher concentrations – that they actually kill their algal host. These findings suggest that the bacteria first promote the alga’s growth to boost their supply of nutrients. But as algae grow older, the bacteria harvest the algae to enjoy a last pulse of nutrients and allow their offspring to swim away and attach to younger algae. The next challenge will be to link these laboratory observations to the actual microbial interactions in the ocean. It will also be important to explore whether other algae and bacteria interact in similar ways and if bacteria contribute to the sudden collapse of algal blooms by killing the algae. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.17473.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Einat Segev
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Thomas P Wyche
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Ki Hyun Kim
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Jörn Petersen
- Leibniz-Institut DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Claire Ellebrandt
- Leibniz-Institut DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Hera Vlamakis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Natasha Barteneva
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Joseph N Paulson
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Liraz Chai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Jon Clardy
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Roberto Kolter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
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Hood MA, Leemreize H, Scheffel A, Faivre D. Lattice distortions in coccolith calcite crystals originate from occlusion of biomacromolecules. J Struct Biol 2016; 196:147-154. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2016.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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The uronic acid content of coccolith-associated polysaccharides provides insight into coccolithogenesis and past climate. Nat Commun 2016; 7:13144. [PMID: 27782214 PMCID: PMC5095175 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Unicellular phytoplanktonic algae (coccolithophores) are among the most prolific producers of calcium carbonate on the planet, with a production of ∼1026 coccoliths per year. During their lith formation, coccolithophores mainly employ coccolith-associated polysaccharides (CAPs) for the regulation of crystal nucleation and growth. These macromolecules interact with the intracellular calcifying compartment (coccolith vesicle) through the charged carboxyl groups of their uronic acid residues. Here we report the isolation of CAPs from modern day coccolithophores and their prehistoric predecessors and we demonstrate that their uronic acid content (UAC) offers a species-specific signature. We also show that there is a correlation between the UAC of CAPs and the internal saturation state of the coccolith vesicle that, for most geologically abundant species, is inextricably linked to carbon availability. These findings suggest that the UAC of CAPs reports on the adaptation of coccolithogenesis to environmental changes and can be used for the estimation of past CO2 concentrations. Coccolith-associated polysaccharides (CAPs) are central for the biomineralization of marine algae. Here, Lee et al. show that CAPs can be isolated from extant and fossil samples and that their uronic acid content can be used as a palaeoclimate proxy.
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Jaya BN, Hoffmann R, Kirchlechner C, Dehm G, Scheu C, Langer G. Coccospheres confer mechanical protection: New evidence for an old hypothesis. Acta Biomater 2016; 42:258-264. [PMID: 27449337 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2016.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Emiliania huxleyi has evolved an extremely intricate coccosphere architecture. The coccosphere is comprised of interlocking coccoliths embedded in a polysaccharide matrix. In this work, we performed in-situ scanning electron microscopy based compression tests and conclude that coccospheres have a mechanical protection function. The coccosphere exhibits exceptional damage tolerance in terms of inelastic deformation, recovery and stable crack growth before catastrophic fracture, a feature, which is not found in monolithic ceramic structures. Some of the mechanical features of the coccospheres are due to their architecture, especially polysaccharide matrix that acts as a kind of bio-adhesive. Our data provide strong evidence for the mechanical protection-hypothesis of coccolithophore calcification, without excluding other functions of calcification such as various biochemical roles discussed in the literature. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Although bio-mechanics of shell structures like nacre have been studied over the past decade, coccospheres present an architecture that is quite distinct and complex. It is a porous cell structure evolved to protect the living algae cell inside it in the oceans, subjected to significant hydrostatic pressure. Despite being made of extremely brittle constituents like calcium carbonate, our study finds that coccospheres possess significant damage tolerance especially due to their interlocking coccolith architecture. This will have consequences in bio-mimetic design, especially relating to high pressure applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- B N Jaya
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - R Hoffmann
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - C Kirchlechner
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - G Dehm
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - C Scheu
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - G Langer
- The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, Devon PL1 2PB, UK.
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Gal A, Wirth R, Kopka J, Fratzl P, Faivre D, Scheffel A. Macromolecular recognition directs calcium ions to coccolith mineralization sites. Science 2016; 353:590-3. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aaf7889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Hariskos I, Chairopoulou M, Vučak M, Posten C, Teipel U. Produktion und Charakterisierung von mikrostrukturierten Calcitpartikeln aus der Kalkalge Emiliania huxleyi. CHEM-ING-TECH 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/cite.201500128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Flynn KJ, Clark DR, Wheeler G. The role of coccolithophore calcification in bioengineering their environment. Proc Biol Sci 2016; 283:rspb.2016.1099. [PMID: 27358373 PMCID: PMC4936047 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.1099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Coccolithophorids are enigmatic plankton that produce calcium carbonate coccoliths, which over geological time have buried atmospheric CO2 into limestone, changing both the atmosphere and geology of the Earth. However, the role of coccoliths for the proliferation of these organisms remains unclear; suggestions include roles in anti-predation, enhanced photosynthesis and sun-screening. Here we test the hypothesis that calcification stabilizes the pH of the seawater proximate to the organisms, providing a level of acidification countering the detrimental basification that occurs during net photosynthesis. Such bioengineering provides a more stable pH environment for growth and fits the empirical evidence for changes in rates of calcification under different environmental conditions. Under this scenario, simulations suggest that the optimal production ratio of inorganic to organic particulate C (PIC : POCprod) will be lower (by approx. 20%) with ocean acidification and that overproduction of coccoliths in a future acidified ocean, where pH buffering is weaker, presents a risk to calcifying cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J Flynn
- College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Darren R Clark
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, Plymouth PL1 3DH, UK
| | - Glen Wheeler
- Marine Biological Association, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB, UK
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Naleway SE, Taylor JR, Porter MM, Meyers MA, McKittrick J. Structure and mechanical properties of selected protective systems in marine organisms. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2016; 59:1143-1167. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2015.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Yamamoto N, Kudo T, Fujiwara S, Takatsuka Y, Hirokawa Y, Tsuzuki M, Takano T, Kobayashi M, Suda K, Asamizu E, Yokoyama K, Shibata D, Tabata S, Yano K. Pleurochrysome: A Web Database of Pleurochrysis Transcripts and Orthologs Among Heterogeneous Algae. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2016; 57:e6. [PMID: 26746174 PMCID: PMC4722176 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcv195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Pleurochrysis is a coccolithophorid genus, which belongs to the Coccolithales in the Haptophyta. The genus has been used extensively for biological research, together with Emiliania in the Isochrysidales, to understand distinctive features between the two coccolithophorid-including orders. However, molecular biological research on Pleurochrysis such as elucidation of the molecular mechanism behind coccolith formation has not made great progress at least in part because of lack of comprehensive gene information. To provide such information to the research community, we built an open web database, the Pleurochrysome (http://bioinf.mind.meiji.ac.jp/phapt/), which currently stores 9,023 unique gene sequences (designated as UNIGENEs) assembled from expressed sequence tag sequences of P. haptonemofera as core information. The UNIGENEs were annotated with gene sequences sharing significant homology, conserved domains, Gene Ontology, KEGG Orthology, predicted subcellular localization, open reading frames and orthologous relationship with genes of 10 other algal species, a cyanobacterium and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This sequence and annotation information can be easily accessed via several search functions. Besides fundamental functions such as BLAST and keyword searches, this database also offers search functions to explore orthologous genes in the 12 organisms and to seek novel genes. The Pleurochrysome will promote molecular biological and phylogenetic research on coccolithophorids and other haptophytes by helping scientists mine data from the primary transcriptome of P. haptonemofera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Yamamoto
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashi-mita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571 Japan These authors contributed equally to this work. Present address: International Rice Research Institute, DAPO 7777, Metro Manila 1301, Philippines.
| | - Toru Kudo
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashi-mita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571 Japan These authors contributed equally to this work.
| | - Shoko Fujiwara
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392 Japan, CREST, Japan These authors contributed equally to this work.
| | - Yukiko Takatsuka
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392 Japan, CREST, Japan
| | - Yasutaka Hirokawa
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392 Japan, CREST, Japan
| | - Mikio Tsuzuki
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392 Japan, CREST, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Takano
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashi-mita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571 Japan
| | - Masaaki Kobayashi
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashi-mita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571 Japan
| | - Kunihiro Suda
- Kazusa DNA Research Institute, 2-6-7 Kazusa-kamatari, Kisarazu, Chiba, 292-0818 Japan
| | - Erika Asamizu
- Kazusa DNA Research Institute, 2-6-7 Kazusa-kamatari, Kisarazu, Chiba, 292-0818 Japan
| | - Koji Yokoyama
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashi-mita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571 Japan
| | - Daisuke Shibata
- Kazusa DNA Research Institute, 2-6-7 Kazusa-kamatari, Kisarazu, Chiba, 292-0818 Japan
| | - Satoshi Tabata
- Kazusa DNA Research Institute, 2-6-7 Kazusa-kamatari, Kisarazu, Chiba, 292-0818 Japan
| | - Kentaro Yano
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashi-mita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571 Japan
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Cacace DN, Rowland AT, Stapleton JJ, Dewey DC, Keating CD. Aqueous Emulsion Droplets Stabilized by Lipid Vesicles as Microcompartments for Biomimetic Mineralization. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2015; 31:11329-38. [PMID: 26422264 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b02754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Mineral deposition within living cells relies on control over the distribution and availability of precursors as well as the location and rates of nucleation and growth. This control is provided in large part by biomolecular chelators, which bind precursors and regulate their availability, and compartmentalization within specialized mineralizing vesicles. Biomimetic mineralization in self-assembled lipid vesicles is an attractive means of studying the mineralization process, but has proven challenging due to vesicle heterogeneity in lamellarity, contents, and size across a population, difficulties encapsulating high and uniform precursor concentrations, and the need to transport reagents across an intact lipid bilayer membrane. Here, we report the use of liposome-stabilized all-aqueous emulsion droplets as simple artificial mineralizing vesicles (AMVs). These biomimetic microreactors allow the entry of precursors while retaining a protein catalyst by equilibrium partitioning between internal and external polymer-rich phases. Small molecule chelators with intermediate binding affinity were employed to control Ca(2+) availability during CaCO3 mineralization, providing protection against liposome aggregation while allowing CaCO3 formation. Mineral deposition was limited to the AMV interior, due to localized production of CO3(2-) by compartmentalized urease. Particle formation was uniform across the entire population of AMVs, with multiple submicrometer amorphous CaCO3 particles produced in each one. The all-aqueous emulsion-based approach to biomimetic giant mineral deposition vesicles introduced here should be adaptable for enzyme-catalyzed synthesis of a wide variety of materials, by varying the metal ion, enzyme, and/or chelator.
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Affiliation(s)
- David N Cacace
- Department of Chemistry, and ‡Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Andrew T Rowland
- Department of Chemistry, and ‡Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Joshua J Stapleton
- Department of Chemistry, and ‡Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Daniel C Dewey
- Department of Chemistry, and ‡Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Christine D Keating
- Department of Chemistry, and ‡Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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Hovde BT, Deodato CR, Hunsperger HM, Ryken SA, Yost W, Jha RK, Patterson J, Monnat RJ, Barlow SB, Starkenburg SR, Cattolico RA. Genome Sequence and Transcriptome Analyses of Chrysochromulina tobin: Metabolic Tools for Enhanced Algal Fitness in the Prominent Order Prymnesiales (Haptophyceae). PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005469. [PMID: 26397803 PMCID: PMC4580454 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Haptophytes are recognized as seminal players in aquatic ecosystem function. These algae are important in global carbon sequestration, form destructive harmful blooms, and given their rich fatty acid content, serve as a highly nutritive food source to a broad range of eco-cohorts. Haptophyte dominance in both fresh and marine waters is supported by the mixotrophic nature of many taxa. Despite their importance the nuclear genome sequence of only one haptophyte, Emiliania huxleyi (Isochrysidales), is available. Here we report the draft genome sequence of Chrysochromulina tobin (Prymnesiales), and transcriptome data collected at seven time points over a 24-hour light/dark cycle. The nuclear genome of C. tobin is small (59 Mb), compact (∼40% of the genome is protein coding) and encodes approximately 16,777 genes. Genes important to fatty acid synthesis, modification, and catabolism show distinct patterns of expression when monitored over the circadian photoperiod. The C. tobin genome harbors the first hybrid polyketide synthase/non-ribosomal peptide synthase gene complex reported for an algal species, and encodes potential anti-microbial peptides and proteins involved in multidrug and toxic compound extrusion. A new haptophyte xanthorhodopsin was also identified, together with two “red” RuBisCO activases that are shared across many algal lineages. The Chrysochromulina tobin genome sequence provides new information on the evolutionary history, ecology and economic importance of haptophytes. Microalgae are important contributors to global ecological balance, and process nearly half of the world’s carbon each year. Additionally, these organisms are deeply rooted in the earths’ evolutionary history. To better understand why algae are such strong survivors in aquatic environments and to better understand their contribution to global ecology, we sequenced the genome of a microalga that is abundant in both fresh and salt water environments, but poorly represented by current genomic information. We identify protein-coding genes responsible for the synthesis of potential toxins as well as those that produce antibiotics, and describe gene products that enhanced the ability of the alga to use light energy. We observed that a day-night cycle, similar to that found in natural environments, significantly impacts the expression of algal genes whose products are responsible for synthesizing fats—a rich source of nutrition for many other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake T. Hovde
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail: (BTH); (RAC)
| | - Chloe R. Deodato
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Heather M. Hunsperger
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Scott A. Ryken
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Will Yost
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Ramesh K. Jha
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Johnathan Patterson
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Raymond J. Monnat
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- University of Washington, Department of Pathology, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Steven B. Barlow
- Electron Microscope Facility, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Shawn R. Starkenburg
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Rose Ann Cattolico
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail: (BTH); (RAC)
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Light intensity modulation by coccoliths of Emiliania huxleyi as a micro-photo-regulator. Sci Rep 2015; 5:13577. [PMID: 26323524 PMCID: PMC4555034 DOI: 10.1038/srep13577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we present experimental evidence showing that coccoliths have light-scattering anisotropy that contributes to a possible control of solar light exposure in the ocean. Changing the angle between the incident light and an applied magnetic field causes differences in the light-scattering intensities of a suspension of coccoliths isolated from Emiliania huxleyi. The magnetic field effect is induced by the diamagnetic torque force directing the coccolith radial plane perpendicular to the applied magnetic fields at 400 to 500 mT. The developed technique reveals the light-scattering anisotropies in the 3-μm-diameter floating coccoliths by orienting themselves in response to the magnetic fields. The detached coccolith scatters radially the light incident to its radial plane. The experimental results on magnetically oriented coccoliths show that an individual coccolith has a specific direction of light scattering, although the possible physiological effect of the coccolith remains for further study, focusing on the light-scattering anisotropies of coccoliths on living cells.
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