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Shaked SA, Abehsera S, Ziegler A, Bentov S, Manor R, Weil S, Ohana E, Eichler J, Aflalo ED, Sagi A. A transporter that allows phosphate ions to control the polymorph of exoskeletal calcium carbonate biomineralization. Acta Biomater 2024; 178:221-232. [PMID: 38428510 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
The SLC20A2 transporter supplies phosphate ions (Pi) for diverse biological functions in vertebrates, yet has not been studied in crustaceans. Unlike vertebrates, whose skeletons are mineralized mainly by calcium phosphate, only minute amounts of Pi are found in the CaCO3-mineralized exoskeletons of invertebrates. In this study, a crustacean SLC20A2 transporter was discovered and Pi transport to exoskeletal elements was studied with respect to the role of Pi in invertebrate exoskeleton biomineralization, revealing an evolutionarily conserved mechanism for Pi transport in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Freshwater crayfish, including the study animal Cherax quadricarinatus, require repeated molt cycles for their growth. During the molt cycle, crayfish form transient exoskeletal mineral storage organs named gastroliths, which mostly contain amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC), an unstable polymorph long-thought to be stabilized by Pi. RNA interference experiments via CqSLC20A2 dsRNA injections reduced Pi content in C. quadricarinatus gastroliths, resulting in increased calcium carbonate (CaCO3) crystallinity and grain size. The discovery of a SLC20A2 transporter in crustaceans and the demonstration that knocking down its mRNA reduced Pi content in exoskeletal elements offers the first direct proof of a long-hypothesized mechanism by which Pi affects CaCO3 biomineralization in the crustacean exoskeleton. This research thus demonstrated the distinct role of Pi as an amorphous mineral polymorph stabilizer in vivo, suggesting further avenues for amorphous biomaterial studies. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: • Crustaceans exoskeletons are hardened mainly by CaCO3, with Pi in minute amounts • Pi was hypothesized to stabilize exoskeletal amorphous mineral forms in vivo • For the first time, transport protein for Pi was discovered in crayfish • Transport knock-down resulted in exoskeletal CaCO3 crystallization and reduced Pi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shai A Shaked
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel; The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Shai Abehsera
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel; The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Andreas Ziegler
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Shmuel Bentov
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel; The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Rivka Manor
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel; The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Simy Weil
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel; The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Ehud Ohana
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Jerry Eichler
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Eliahu D Aflalo
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel; Department of Life Sciences, Achva Academic College, 79804, Israel
| | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel; The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel.
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Figueres L, Beck-Cormier S, Beck L, Marks J. The Complexities of Organ Crosstalk in Phosphate Homeostasis: Time to Put Phosphate Sensing Back in the Limelight. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5701. [PMID: 34071837 PMCID: PMC8199323 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphate homeostasis is essential for health and is achieved via interaction between the bone, kidney, small intestine, and parathyroid glands and via intricate processes involving phosphate transporters, phosphate sensors, and circulating hormones. Numerous genetic and acquired disorders are associated with disruption in these processes and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. The role of the kidney in phosphate homeostasis is well known, although it is recognized that the cellular mechanisms in murine models and humans are different. Intestinal phosphate transport also appears to differ in humans and rodents, with recent studies demonstrating a dominant role for the paracellular pathway. The existence of phosphate sensing has been acknowledged for decades; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. At least three phosphate sensors have emerged. PiT2 and FGFR1c both act as phosphate sensors controlling Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 secretion in bone, whereas the calcium-sensing receptor controls parathyroid hormone secretion in response to extracellular phosphate. All three of the proposed sensors are expressed in the kidney and intestine but their exact function in these organs is unknown. Understanding organ interactions and the mechanisms involved in phosphate sensing requires significant research to develop novel approaches for the treatment of phosphate homeostasis disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucile Figueres
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, Royal Free Campus, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK;
- CHU de Nantes, Université de Nantes, F-44042 Nantes, France
| | - Sarah Beck-Cormier
- Inserm, UMR 1229, RMeS Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, Université de Nantes, ONIRIS, F-44042 Nantes, France; (S.B.-C.); (L.B.)
| | - Laurent Beck
- Inserm, UMR 1229, RMeS Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, Université de Nantes, ONIRIS, F-44042 Nantes, France; (S.B.-C.); (L.B.)
| | - Joanne Marks
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, Royal Free Campus, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK;
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