Macromolecular recognition directs calcium ions to coccolith mineralization sites

Many organisms form elaborate mineralized structures, constituted of highly organized arrangements of crystals and organic macromolecules. The localization of crystals within these structures is presumably determined by the interaction of nucleating macromolecules with the mineral phase. Here we sho...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2016-08, Vol.353 (6299), p.590-593
Main Authors: Gal, Assaf, Wirth, Richard, Kopka, Joachim, Fratzl, Peter, Faivre, Damien, Scheffel, André
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Backbone
Biosynthesis
Calcium
Calcium - chemistry
Calcium Carbonate - chemistry
Calcium ions
Cations, Divalent - chemistry
Crystal structure
Crystallization
Crystals
Haptophyta - metabolism
In vitro testing
Ions
Macromolecular Substances - chemistry
Macromolecules
Microalgae - metabolism
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Mineralization
Minerals
Organic chemistry
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Summary:Many organisms form elaborate mineralized structures, constituted of highly organized arrangements of crystals and organic macromolecules. The localization of crystals within these structures is presumably determined by the interaction of nucleating macromolecules with the mineral phase. Here we show that, preceding nucleation, a specific interaction between soluble organic molecules and an organic backbone structure directs mineral components to specific sites. This strategy underlies the formation of coccoliths, which are highly ordered arrangements of calcite crystals produced by marine microalgae. On combining the insoluble organic coccolith scaffold with coccolith-associated soluble macromolecules in vitro, we found a massive accretion of calcium ions at the sites where the crystals form in vivo. The in vitro process exhibits profound similarities to the initial stages of coccolith biogenesis in vivo.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.aaf7889