Reduced H+ channel activity disrupts pH homeostasis and calcification in coccolithophores at low ocean pH

Kottmeier, DM, Chrachri, A, Langer, G, Helliwell, KE, Wheeler, G and Brownlee, C 2022 Reduced H+ channel activity disrupts pH homeostasis and calcification in coccolithophores at low ocean pH. Environmental Sciences, 119 (19), e211800911. 11, pp. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2118009119

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Abstract/Summary

Coccolithophores are major producers of ocean biogenic calcite, but this process is predicted to be negatively affected by future ocean acidification scenarios. Since coccolithophores calcify intracellularly, the mechanisms through which changes in seawater carbonate chemistry affect calcification remain unclear. Here we show that voltage-gated H+ channels in the plasma membrane of Coccolithus braarudii serve to regulate pH and maintain calcification under normal conditions but have greatly reduced activity in cells acclimated to low pH. This disrupts intracellular pH homeostasis and impairs the ability of C. braarudii to remove H+ generated by the calcification process, leading to specific coccolith malformations. These coccolith malformations can be reproduced by pharmacological inhibition of H+ channels. Heavily calcified coccolithophore species such as C. braarudii, which make the major contribution to carbonate export to the deep ocean, have a large intracellular H+ load and are likely to be most vulnerable to future decreases in ocean pH.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Additional Keywords:	Coccolithophore, Calcification, Protons, Channels, Acidification
Subjects:	Biology Chemistry Marine Sciences
Divisions:	Marine Biological Association of the UK > Other (MBA)
Depositing User:	Tamar Atkinson
Date made live:	27 May 2022 15:20
Last Modified:	09 Feb 2024 16:57
URI:	https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/9714

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