Unexpected silicon localization in calcium carbonate exoskeleton of cultured and fossil coccolithophores
Bordiga, Manuela (University of Pavia. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences)
Lupi, Claudia (University of Pavia. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences)
Langer, Gerald (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)
Gianoncelli, Alessandra (Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste)
Birarda, Giovanni (Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste)
Pollastri, Susanna (Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste)
Bonanni, Valentina (Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste)
Bedolla, D. E. (AREA Science Park)
Vaccari, Lisa (Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste)
Gariani, Gianluca (Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste)
Cerino, Federica (National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGS)
Cabrini, Marina (National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGS)
Beran, Alfred (National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGS)
Zuccotti, Maurizio (University of Pavia. Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Lazzaro Spallanzani")
Fiorentino, Gabriella (University of Pavia. Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Lazzaro Spallanzani")
Zanoni, Mario (University of Pavia. Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Lazzaro Spallanzani")
Garagna, Silvia (University of Pavia. Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Lazzaro Spallanzani")
Cobianchi, Miriam (University of Pavia. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences)
Di Giulio, Andrea (University of Pavia. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences)

Date:	2023
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.
Note:	Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-M
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Biogeochemistry ; Marine biology ; Palaeontology
Published in:	Scientific reports, Vol. 13 (May 2023) , art. 7417, ISSN 2045-2322

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34003-3
PMID: 37150777

12 p, 2.8 MB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles