Unexpected silicon localization in calcium carbonate exoskeleton of cultured and fossil coccolithophores
Abstract Coccolithophores, marine calcifying phytoplankton, are important primary producers impacting the global carbon cycle at different timescales. Their biomineral structures, the calcite containing coccoliths, are among the most elaborate hard parts of any organism. Understanding the morphogene...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34003-3 |
| _version_ | 1827948160340721664 |
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| author | M. Bordiga C. Lupi G. Langer A. Gianoncelli G. Birarda S. Pollastri V. Bonanni D. E. Bedolla L. Vaccari G. Gariani F. Cerino M. Cabrini A. Beran M. Zuccotti G. Fiorentino M. Zanoni S. Garagna M. Cobianchi A. Di Giulio |
| author_facet | M. Bordiga C. Lupi G. Langer A. Gianoncelli G. Birarda S. Pollastri V. Bonanni D. E. Bedolla L. Vaccari G. Gariani F. Cerino M. Cabrini A. Beran M. Zuccotti G. Fiorentino M. Zanoni S. Garagna M. Cobianchi A. Di Giulio |
| author_sort | M. Bordiga |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Coccolithophores, marine calcifying phytoplankton, are important primary producers impacting the global carbon cycle at different timescales. Their biomineral structures, the calcite containing coccoliths, are among the most elaborate hard parts of any organism. Understanding the morphogenesis of coccoliths is not only relevant in the context of coccolithophore eco-physiology but will also inform biomineralization and crystal design research more generally. The recent discovery of a silicon (Si) requirement for crystal shaping in some coccolithophores has opened up a new avenue of biomineralization research. In order to develop a mechanistic understanding of the role of Si, the presence and localization of this chemical element in coccoliths needs to be known. Here, we document for the first time the uneven Si distribution in Helicosphaera carteri coccoliths through three synchrotron-based techniques employing X-ray Fluorescence and Infrared Spectromicroscopy. The enrichment of Si in specific areas of the coccoliths point to a targeted role of this element in the coccolith formation. Our findings mark a key step in biomineralization research because it opens the door for a detailed mechanistic understanding of the role Si plays in shaping coccolith crystals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T12:50:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ea3bd106f8584256be15bf93bd642654 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T12:50:00Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-ea3bd106f8584256be15bf93bd6426542023-05-14T11:16:51ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-05-0113111210.1038/s41598-023-34003-3Unexpected silicon localization in calcium carbonate exoskeleton of cultured and fossil coccolithophoresM. Bordiga0C. Lupi1G. Langer2A. Gianoncelli3G. Birarda4S. Pollastri5V. Bonanni6D. E. Bedolla7L. Vaccari8G. Gariani9F. Cerino10M. Cabrini11A. Beran12M. Zuccotti13G. Fiorentino14M. Zanoni15S. Garagna16M. Cobianchi17A. Di Giulio18National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGSDepartment of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of PaviaICTA, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB)Elettra-Sincrotrone TriesteElettra-Sincrotrone TriesteElettra-Sincrotrone TriesteElettra-Sincrotrone TriesteElettra-Sincrotrone TriesteElettra-Sincrotrone TriesteElettra-Sincrotrone TriesteNational Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGSNational Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGSNational Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGSDepartment of Biology and Biotechnologies “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of PaviaDepartment of Biology and Biotechnologies “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of PaviaDepartment of Biology and Biotechnologies “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of PaviaDepartment of Biology and Biotechnologies “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of PaviaDepartment of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of PaviaDepartment of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of PaviaAbstract Coccolithophores, marine calcifying phytoplankton, are important primary producers impacting the global carbon cycle at different timescales. Their biomineral structures, the calcite containing coccoliths, are among the most elaborate hard parts of any organism. Understanding the morphogenesis of coccoliths is not only relevant in the context of coccolithophore eco-physiology but will also inform biomineralization and crystal design research more generally. The recent discovery of a silicon (Si) requirement for crystal shaping in some coccolithophores has opened up a new avenue of biomineralization research. In order to develop a mechanistic understanding of the role of Si, the presence and localization of this chemical element in coccoliths needs to be known. Here, we document for the first time the uneven Si distribution in Helicosphaera carteri coccoliths through three synchrotron-based techniques employing X-ray Fluorescence and Infrared Spectromicroscopy. The enrichment of Si in specific areas of the coccoliths point to a targeted role of this element in the coccolith formation. Our findings mark a key step in biomineralization research because it opens the door for a detailed mechanistic understanding of the role Si plays in shaping coccolith crystals.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34003-3 |
| spellingShingle | M. Bordiga C. Lupi G. Langer A. Gianoncelli G. Birarda S. Pollastri V. Bonanni D. E. Bedolla L. Vaccari G. Gariani F. Cerino M. Cabrini A. Beran M. Zuccotti G. Fiorentino M. Zanoni S. Garagna M. Cobianchi A. Di Giulio Unexpected silicon localization in calcium carbonate exoskeleton of cultured and fossil coccolithophores Scientific Reports |
| title | Unexpected silicon localization in calcium carbonate exoskeleton of cultured and fossil coccolithophores |
| title_full | Unexpected silicon localization in calcium carbonate exoskeleton of cultured and fossil coccolithophores |
| title_fullStr | Unexpected silicon localization in calcium carbonate exoskeleton of cultured and fossil coccolithophores |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unexpected silicon localization in calcium carbonate exoskeleton of cultured and fossil coccolithophores |
| title_short | Unexpected silicon localization in calcium carbonate exoskeleton of cultured and fossil coccolithophores |
| title_sort | unexpected silicon localization in calcium carbonate exoskeleton of cultured and fossil coccolithophores |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34003-3 |
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