A Voltage-Gated H+ Channel Underlying pH Homeostasis in Calcifying Coccolithophores
2011
Ion Channels and Coccolithophores' Adaptation to Ocean Acidification
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Alison Taylor, Chrachri A, Wheeler G, Goddard H, Brownlee C
Hypothesis
Do ion channels help coccolithophores avoid acidification in changing ocean conditions?
Conclusion
Coccolithophores use H+ channels to prevent acidification, which may help them adapt to ocean acidification.
Supporting Evidence
- Coccolithophores produce calcium carbonate scales and need to manage internal acidity.
- The study found that H+ channels are crucial for preventing acidification in coccolithophores.
- Similar H+ channels exist in mammalian cells, suggesting a common evolutionary origin.
- Disruption of H+ transport affects both intracellular pH and calcification in coccolithophores.
Takeaway
Coccolithophores, a type of tiny ocean algae, have special channels that help them get rid of acid, which is important for their survival as oceans become more acidic.
Methodology
The researchers used patch clamp recordings to study H+ transfer in coccolithophore membranes and tested the gene in human cell lines.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website