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

Sanja Sviben, Assaf Gal, Matthew A. Hood, Luca Bertinetti, Yael Politi, Mathieu Bennet, Praveen Krishnamoorthy, Andreas Schertel, Richard Wirth, Andrea Sorrentino, Eva Pereiro, Damien Faivre and André Scheffel ()
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Sanja Sviben: Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology
Assaf Gal: Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology
Matthew A. Hood: Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology
Luca Bertinetti: Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces
Yael Politi: Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces
Mathieu Bennet: Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces
Praveen Krishnamoorthy: Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology
Andreas Schertel: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH, Global Applications Support
Richard Wirth: GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam
Andrea Sorrentino: ALBA Synchrotron Light Source, Cerdanyola del Vallés
Eva Pereiro: ALBA Synchrotron Light Source, Cerdanyola del Vallés
Damien Faivre: Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces
André Scheffel: Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-9

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

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11228

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