A vesicular Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in coral calcifying cells

PLoS One. 2018 Oct 31;13(10):e0205367. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205367. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

The calcium carbonate skeletons of corals provide the underlying structure of coral reefs; however, the cellular mechanisms responsible for coral calcification remain poorly understood. In osteoblasts from vertebrate animals, a Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) present in the plasma membrane transports Ca2+ to the site of bone formation. The aims of this study were to establish whether NCX exists in corals and its localization within coral cells, which are essential first steps to investigate its potential involvement in calcification. Data mining identified genes encoding for NCX proteins in multiple coral species, a subset of which were more closely related to NCXs from vertebrates (NCXA). We cloned NCXA from Acropora yongei (AyNCXA), which, unexpectedly, contained a peptide signal that targets proteins to vesicles from the secretory pathway. AyNCXA subcellular localization was confirmed by heterologous expression of fluorescently tagged AyNCXA protein in sea urchin embryos, which localized together with known markers of intracellular vesicles. Finally, immunolabeling of coral tissues with specific antibodies revealed AyNCXA was present throughout coral tissue. AyNCXA was especially abundant in calcifying cells, where it exhibited a subcellular localization pattern consistent with intracellular vesicles. Altogether, our results demonstrate AyNCXA is present in vesicles in coral calcifying cells, where potential functions include intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and Ca2+ transport to the growing skeleton as part of an intracellular calcification mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anthozoa / metabolism*
  • Calcification, Physiologic
  • Calcium Carbonate / metabolism
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Phylogeny
  • Protein Isoforms / classification
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Sea Urchins / growth & development
  • Sea Urchins / metabolism
  • Sodium-Calcium Exchanger / classification
  • Sodium-Calcium Exchanger / genetics
  • Sodium-Calcium Exchanger / metabolism*

Substances

  • Protein Isoforms
  • Sodium-Calcium Exchanger
  • sodium-calcium exchanger 1
  • Calcium Carbonate

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation grants EF-1220641 https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1220641 and OCE-1538495 https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1538495&HistoricalAwards=false to M.T.