Calcareous sponge biomineralization: ultrastructural and compositional heterogeneity of spicules in Leuconia johnstoni

Journal of Structural Biology
Christophe KoppIsabelle Domart-Coulon

Abstract

In contrast to siliceous sponge spicules, the biomineralization in calcareous sponges is poorly understood. In particular, the existence of a differentiated central core in calcareous spicules is still controversial. Here we combine high-spatial resolution analyses, including NanoSIMS, Raman, SXM, AFM, SEM and TEM to investigate the composition, mineralogy and ultrastructure of the giant tetractines of Leuconia johnstoniCarter, 1871 (Baeriidae, Calcaronea) and the organization of surrounding cells. A compositionally distinct core is present in these spicule types. The core measures 3.5-10 μm in diameter and is significantly depleted in Mg and lightly enriched in S compared with the adjacent outer layer in the spicule. Measured Mg/Ca ratios in the core range from 70 to 90 mmol/mol compared to 125-130 mmol/mol in the adjacent calcite envelope. However, this heterogeneous distribution of Mg and S is not reflected in the mineralogy and the microstructure. Raman spectroscopy demonstrates a purely calcitic mineralogy. SEM examination of slightly etched spicules indicates an ultrastructure organized hierarchically in a concentric pattern, with layers less than 250 nm in width inside layers averaging 535 ± 260 nm. No change in structur...Continue Reading

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Citations

Nov 6, 2013·Microscopy and Microanalysis : the Official Journal of Microscopy Society of America, Microbeam Analysis Society, Microscopical Society of Canada·Yannicke DauphinAnders Meibom
Aug 2, 2011·Journal of Structural Biology·Przemysław GorzelakAnders Meibom
Jun 12, 2013·Journal of Structural Biology·Melany GilisAlain Baronnet
Apr 20, 2016·Journal of Structural Biology·André Linhares RossiMarcos Farina
Jul 16, 2016·Current Opinion in Biotechnology·Niculina MusatJennifer Pett-Ridge
Jul 28, 2016·Journal of Structural Biology·Stephan E WolfCarlos Rodríguez-Navarro
Sep 24, 2019·Current Opinion in Genetics & Development·Noriko Funayama

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