[B-PT02_1AM1] Biocalcification and the Geochemistry of Proxies

[BPT02-06] Live confocal imaging of cytoplasmic structure and calcification processes in Amphisorus kudakajimensis

*Yoshikazu OHNO¹, Kazuhiko FUJITA², Takashi TOYOFUKU³ (1.Graduate school of Engineering and science, University of Ryukyus, 2.Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ryukyus, 3.Institute of Biogeosciences (BioGeos), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology)

Keywords:calcification, calcium imaging, Live-cell imaging, confocal microscopy

Although complex processes of calcification processes have been reported in Foraminifera, details of the cellular events generating organic templates and causing calcification are still unknown. To better understand cellular mechanisms in foraminiferal calcification, it is important to observe the molecular dynamics in vivo (e.g., calcium ion, matrix proteins). Here we report confocal microscopic observations of cytoplasmic structures in a live cell of a porcelaneous symbiotic foraminifer Amphisorus kudakajimensis and discuss the application of calcium imaging combined with pharmacological manipulations to study intracellular calcium dynamics. In addition, we succeeded in observing the elevated pH (pH 9.0) in organic templates, and lowered pH (pH 6.0) around thread-like cells using a cell-impermeable fluorescent pH indicator (HPTS).