TY - JOUR
T1 - Calcification process dynamics in coral primary polyps as observed using a calcein incubation method
AU - Ohno, Yoshikazu
AU - Iguchi, Akira
AU - Shinzato, Chuya
AU - Gushi, Mikako
AU - Inoue, Mayuri
AU - Suzuki, Atsushi
AU - Sakai, Kazuhiko
AU - Nakamura, Takashi
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 The Authors
PY - 2017/3/1
Y1 - 2017/3/1
N2 - Calcification processes are largely unknown in scleractinian corals. In this study, live confocal imaging was used to elucidate the spatiotemporal dynamics of the calcification process in aposymbiotic primary polyps of the coral species Acropora digitifera. The fluorophore calcein was used as a calcium deposition marker and a visible indicator of extracellular fluid distribution at the tissue-skeleton interface (subcalicoblastic medium, SCM) in primary polyp tissues. Under continuous incubation in calcein-containing seawater, initial crystallization and skeletal growth were visualized among the calicoblastic cells in live primary polyp tissues. Additionally, the distribution of calcein-stained SCM and contraction movements of the pockets of SCM were captured at intervals of a few minutes. Our experimental system provided several new insights into coral calcification, particularly as a first step in monitoring the relationship between cellular dynamics and calcification in vivo. Our study suggests that coral calcification initiates at intercellular spaces, a finding that may contribute to the general understanding of coral calcification processes.
AB - Calcification processes are largely unknown in scleractinian corals. In this study, live confocal imaging was used to elucidate the spatiotemporal dynamics of the calcification process in aposymbiotic primary polyps of the coral species Acropora digitifera. The fluorophore calcein was used as a calcium deposition marker and a visible indicator of extracellular fluid distribution at the tissue-skeleton interface (subcalicoblastic medium, SCM) in primary polyp tissues. Under continuous incubation in calcein-containing seawater, initial crystallization and skeletal growth were visualized among the calicoblastic cells in live primary polyp tissues. Additionally, the distribution of calcein-stained SCM and contraction movements of the pockets of SCM were captured at intervals of a few minutes. Our experimental system provided several new insights into coral calcification, particularly as a first step in monitoring the relationship between cellular dynamics and calcification in vivo. Our study suggests that coral calcification initiates at intercellular spaces, a finding that may contribute to the general understanding of coral calcification processes.
KW - Calcein
KW - Calcification
KW - Live imaging
KW - Primary aposymbiotic coral polyp
KW - Sub calicoblastic medium
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U2 - 10.1016/j.bbrep.2017.01.006
DO - 10.1016/j.bbrep.2017.01.006
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85011319808
VL - 9
SP - 289
EP - 294
JO - Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports
JF - Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports
SN - 2405-5808
ER -