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  4. Dynamic change of calcium-rich compartments during coccolithophore biomineralization
 
research article

Dynamic change of calcium-rich compartments during coccolithophore biomineralization

Triccas, Alexander
•
Chevrier, Daniel M.
•
Verezhak, Mariana
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July 25, 2025
Science Advances

Coccolithophores are abundant marine phytoplankton that produce biomineralized calcite scales, called coccoliths, which sequester substantial amounts of carbon and play a substantial role in biogeochemical cycles. However, mechanisms underlying the storage and transport of ions essential for calcification remain unresolved. We used ptychographic x-ray computed tomography under cryogenic conditions to visualize intracellular calcium-rich structures involved in the storage of calcium ions in the coccolithophore species Chrysotila carterae . During calcification, we observed a range of structures, from small electron-dense bodies within larger compartments to denser and distributed globular compartments, before returning to small bodies once scale formation is complete. Nanobeam-scanning x-ray fluorescence measurements further revealed that these electron-dense bodies are rich in phosphorus and calcium (molar ratio of ~4:1). The dynamic nature of structures suggests that these bodies are part of the required cellular calcium ion transport pathways, a fundamental process critical for understanding the response of coccolithophores to climate change.

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Type
research article
DOI
10.1126/sciadv.adv0618
Author(s)
Triccas, Alexander

University of Edinburgh

Chevrier, Daniel M.

Institut de Biosciences et Biotechnologies

Verezhak, Mariana

Paul Scherrer Institute

Ihli, Johannes

Paul Scherrer Institute

Guizar‐Sicairos, Manuel  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Holler, Mirko

Paul Scherrer Institute

Scheffel, André

Universität Greifswald

Ozaki, Noriaki

Akita Prefectural University

Chamard, Virginie

Centrale Marseille

Wood, Rachel

University of Edinburgh

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Date Issued

2025-07-25

Publisher

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Published in
Science Advances
Volume

11

Issue

30

Article Number

eadv0618

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
CXI  
Available on Infoscience
July 25, 2025
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/252510
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