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The role of seawater endocytosis in the biomineralization process in calcareous foraminifera

The role of seawater endocytosis in the biomineralization process in calcareous foraminifera
The role of seawater endocytosis in the biomineralization process in calcareous foraminifera
Foraminifera are unicellular organisms that inhabit the oceans in various ecosystems. The majority of the foraminifera precipitate calcitic shells and are among the major CaCO3 producers in the oceans. They comprise an important component of the global carbon cycle and also provide valuable paleoceanographic information based on the relative abundance of stable isotopes and trace elements (proxies) in their shells. Understanding the biomineralization processes in foraminifera is important for predicting their calcification response to ocean acidification and for reliable interpretation of the paleoceanographic proxies. Most models of biomineralization invoke the involvement of membrane ion transporters (channels and pumps) in the delivery of Ca2+ and other ions to the calcification site. Here we show, in contrast, that in the benthic foraminiferan Amphistegina lobifera, (a shallow water species), transport of seawater via fluid phase endocytosis may account for most of the ions supplied to the calcification site. During their intracellular passage the seawater vacuoles undergo alkalization that elevates the CO32? concentration and further enhances their calcifying potential. This mechanism of biomineralization may explain why many calcareous foraminifera can be good recorders of paleoceanographic conditions. It may also explain the sensitivity to ocean acidification that was observed in several planktonic and benthic species.

0027-8424
21500-21504
Bentov, S.
cf34fdac-f77a-4b8a-9ac5-28eedd75aed8
Brownlee, C.
2af37c1c-b2bf-4832-8370-d9c35e7b3385
Erez, J.
6f95b6b8-cd13-4164-b773-ac7e637293bb
Bentov, S.
cf34fdac-f77a-4b8a-9ac5-28eedd75aed8
Brownlee, C.
2af37c1c-b2bf-4832-8370-d9c35e7b3385
Erez, J.
6f95b6b8-cd13-4164-b773-ac7e637293bb

Bentov, S., Brownlee, C. and Erez, J. (2009) The role of seawater endocytosis in the biomineralization process in calcareous foraminifera. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106 (51), 21500-21504. (doi:10.1073/pnas.0906636106).

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Abstract

Foraminifera are unicellular organisms that inhabit the oceans in various ecosystems. The majority of the foraminifera precipitate calcitic shells and are among the major CaCO3 producers in the oceans. They comprise an important component of the global carbon cycle and also provide valuable paleoceanographic information based on the relative abundance of stable isotopes and trace elements (proxies) in their shells. Understanding the biomineralization processes in foraminifera is important for predicting their calcification response to ocean acidification and for reliable interpretation of the paleoceanographic proxies. Most models of biomineralization invoke the involvement of membrane ion transporters (channels and pumps) in the delivery of Ca2+ and other ions to the calcification site. Here we show, in contrast, that in the benthic foraminiferan Amphistegina lobifera, (a shallow water species), transport of seawater via fluid phase endocytosis may account for most of the ions supplied to the calcification site. During their intracellular passage the seawater vacuoles undergo alkalization that elevates the CO32? concentration and further enhances their calcifying potential. This mechanism of biomineralization may explain why many calcareous foraminifera can be good recorders of paleoceanographic conditions. It may also explain the sensitivity to ocean acidification that was observed in several planktonic and benthic species.

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Published date: 22 December 2009
Organisations: Ocean and Earth Science

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 340276
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/340276
ISSN: 0027-8424
PURE UUID: 8bf31197-d77f-4dc0-83c2-8971f7b98439

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Date deposited: 18 Jun 2012 13:52
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 11:22

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Contributors

Author: S. Bentov
Author: C. Brownlee
Author: J. Erez

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