Incorporation of zinc into the coccoliths of the microalga Emiliania huxleyi

Biometals : an International Journal on the Role of Metal Ions in Biology, Biochemistry, and Medicine
Giulia SantomauroJoachim Bill

Abstract

The coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi is covered with elaborated calcite plates, the so-called coccoliths, which are produced inside the cells. We investigated the incorporation of zinc into the coccoliths of E. huxleyi by applying different zinc and calcium amounts via the culture media and subsequently analyzing the zinc content in the cells and the Zn/Ca ratio of the coccoliths. To investigate the Zn/Ca ratio of coccoliths built in the manipulated media, the algae have first to be decalcified, i.e. coccolith free. We used a newly developed decalcification method to obtain 'naked' cells for cultivation. E. huxleyi proliferated and produced new coccoliths in all media with manipulated Zn/Ca ratios. The cells and the newly built coccoliths were investigated regarding their zinc content and their Zn/Ca ratio, respectively. High zinc amounts were taken up by the algae. The Zn/Ca ratio of the coccoliths was positively correlated to the Zn/Ca ratio of the applied media. The unique feature of the coccoliths was maintained also at high Zn/Ca ratios. We suggest the following pathway of the zinc ions into the coccoliths: first, the zinc ions are bound to the cell surface, followed by their transportation into the cytoplasm. Obviously, ...Continue Reading

References

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Dec 26, 2012·Biometals : an International Journal on the Role of Metal Ions in Biology, Biochemistry, and Medicine·Susanne MachillEike Brunner

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Citations

Nov 2, 2017·Journal of Phycology·Xiaofei YinWolfgang W Schmahl
Apr 16, 2020·Advanced Biosystems·Giulia SantomauroJoachim Bill

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