Minerals in the pre-settled coral Stylophora pistillata crystallize via protein and ion changes

Anat Akiva, Maayan Neder, Keren Kahil, Rotem Gavriel, Iddo Pinkas, Gil Goobes () and Tali Mass ()
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Anat Akiva: Weizmann Institute of Science
Maayan Neder: The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa
Keren Kahil: Weizmann Institute of Science
Rotem Gavriel: Bar-Ilan University
Iddo Pinkas: Weizmann Institute of Science
Gil Goobes: Bar-Ilan University
Tali Mass: The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Aragonite skeletons in corals are key contributors to the storage of atmospheric CO2 worldwide. Hence, understanding coral biomineralization/calcification processes is crucial for evaluating and predicting the effect of environmental factors on this process. While coral biomineralization studies have focused on adult corals, the exact stage at which corals initiate mineralization remains enigmatic. Here, we show that minerals are first precipitated as amorphous calcium carbonate and small aragonite crystallites, in the pre-settled larva, which then evolve into the more mature aragonitic fibers characteristic of the stony coral skeleton. The process is accompanied by modulation of proteins and ions within these minerals. These findings may indicate an underlying bimodal regulation tactic adopted by the animal, with important ramification to its resilience or vulnerability toward a changing environment.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04285-7

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