A vesicular Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger in coral calcifying cells

The calcium carbonate skeletons of corals provide the underlying structure of coral reefs; however, the cellular mechanisms responsible for coral calcification remain poorly understood. In osteoblasts from vertebrate animals, a Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) present in the plasma membrane transports Ca(2+) to the site of bone formation. The aims of this study were to establish whether NCX exists in corals and its localization within coral cells, which are essential first steps to investigate its potential involvement in calcification. Data mining identified genes encoding for NCX proteins in multiple coral species, a subset of which were more closely related to NCXs from vertebrates (NCX(A)). We cloned NCX(A) from Acropora yongei (AyNCX(A)), which, unexpectedly, contained a peptide signal that targets proteins to vesicles from the secretory pathway. AyNCX(A) subcellular localization was confirmed by heterologous expression of fluorescently tagged AyNCX(A) protein in sea urchin embryos, which localized together with known markers of intracellular vesicles. Finally, immunolabeling of coral tissues with specific antibodies revealed AyNCX(A) was present throughout coral tissue. AyNCX(A) was especially abundant in calcifying cells, where it exhibited a subcellular localization pattern consistent with intracellular vesicles. Altogether, our results demonstrate AyNCX(A) is present in vesicles in coral calcifying cells, where potential functions include intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis and Ca(2+) transport to the growing skeleton as part of an intracellular calcification mechanism.