Investigating calcification-related candidates in a non-symbiotic scleractinian coral, Tubastraea spp.

In hermatypic scleractinian corals, photosynthetic fixation of CO and the production of CaCO are intimately linked due to their symbiotic relationship with dinoflagellates of the Symbiodiniaceae family. This makes it difficult to study ion transport mechanisms involved in the different pathways. In contrast, most ahermatypic scleractinian corals do not share this symbiotic relationship and thus offer an advantage when studying the ion transport mechanisms involved in the calcification process.

Intracellular pH regulation: characterization and functional investigation of H transporters in Stylophora pistillata.

Background: Reef-building corals regularly experience changes in intra- and extracellular H concentrations ([H]) due to physiological and environmental processes. Stringent control of [H] is required to maintain the homeostatic acid-base balance in coral cells and is achieved through the regulation of intracellular pH (pH). This task is especially challenging for reef-building corals that share an endosymbiotic relationship with photosynthetic dinoflagellates (family Symbiodinaceae), which significantly affect the pH of coral cells.

Comparison of the Sulfonamide Inhibition Profiles of the α-Carbonic Anhydrase Isoforms (SpiCA1, SpiCA2 and SpiCA3) Encoded by the Genome of the Scleractinian Coral .

The ubiquitous metalloenzymes carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.

Comparison of the Anion Inhibition Profiles of the α-CA Isoforms (SpiCA1, SpiCA2 and SpiCA3) from the Scleractinian Coral Stylophora pistillata.

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.

Activation Profile Analysis of CruCA4, an α-Carbonic Anhydrase Involved in Skeleton Formation of the Mediterranean Red Coral, Corallium rubrum.

CruCA4, a coral α-carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.

Coral Carbonic Anhydrases: Regulation by Ocean Acidification.

Global change is a major threat to the oceans, as it implies temperature increase and acidification. Ocean acidification (OA) involving decreasing pH and changes in seawater carbonate chemistry challenges the capacity of corals to form their skeletons. Despite the large number of studies that have investigated how rates of calcification respond to ocean acidification scenarios, comparatively few studies tackle how ocean acidification impacts the physiological mechanisms that drive calcification itself.

Specific expression of BMP2/4 ortholog in biomineralizing tissues of corals and action on mouse BMP receptor.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are members of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily, and have been identified by their ability to induce bone formation in vertebrates. The biomineral-forming process, called biomineralization, is a widespread process, present in all kingdoms of living organisms and among which stony corals are one of the major groups of calcifying animals. Here, we report the presence of a BMP2/4 ortholog in eight species of adult corals.

Molecular cloning and localization of a PMCA P-type calcium ATPase from the coral Stylophora pistillata.

Plasma-membrane calcium pumps (PMCAs) are responsible for the expulsion of Ca(2+) from the cytosol of all eukaryotic cells and are one of the major transport systems involved in long-term regulation of resting intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. An important feature of stony corals, one of the major groups of calcifying animals, is the continuous export of large quantities of Ca(2+) for skeletogenesis. Here, we report the cloning and functional expression of the stpPMCA gene from the coral Stylophora pistillata, and whose features resemble those of the plasma-membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase family of mammalian cells.