Molecular Processes of Biosilicification in Diatoms

Davis, Aubrey K.; Hildebrand, Mark

doi:10.1002/9780470986325.ch8

Cited by 13 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 153 publications

(318 reference statements)

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“…5b resulting from acid extraction. Recently, Davis and Hildebrand (2007) have suggested a model where silica polymerization determinants are anchor to the silicalemma via interaction with transmembrane proteins and the cytoskeleton, the same mechanism could be involved in the pre-positioning of the portulae complex. The results of the inhibitor experiments (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of silica cell wall morphogenesis in the diatom Cyclotella cryptica: Substructure formation and the role of microfilaments

Tesson

Hildebrand

2010

Journal of Structural Biology

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of silica cell wall morphogenesis in the diatom Cyclotella cryptica: Substructure formation and the role of microfilaments

Tesson

Hildebrand

2010

Journal of Structural Biology

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“…One option for sidedness would be for cellular components positioned outside of one face of the SDV to interact with intralumenal components via membrane‐spanning proteins, as was suggested for seta formation (Pickett‐Heaps et al , 1990). The outside components have been proposed to be elements of the cytoskeleton, which could interact with membrane‐spanning proteins that then interact with intralumenal ‘patterning determinants’ that organize silica polymerizing molecules such as silaffins, LCPAs and silacidins (Robinson & Sullivan, 1987; Davis & Hildebrand, 2007). In this case, linear structures found upon initial deposition of silica could result from the arrangement of these patterning determinants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Three scales of silica structure formation in diatoms have been identified (Pickett‐Heaps et al , 1990; Hildebrand et al , 2006; Davis & Hildebrand, 2007). Structure on the nanoscale results from the initial polymerization of silica from soluble precursors, and manifests as a distinctive silica ‘texture’ on the nanometre scale when imaged at high resolution.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diverse and conserved nano‐ and mesoscale structures of diatom silica revealed by atomic force microscopy

Hildebrand¹,

Holton²,

Joy³

et al. 2009

Journal of Microscopy

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SummaryAn outstanding example of biological pattern formation at the single cell level is the diversity of biomineral structures in the silica cell walls of the unicellular eukaryotic algae known as diatoms. We present a survey of cell wall silica structures of 16 diatom species, which included all major cell wall components (valves, girdle bands and setae), imaged across the nano-, meso-and microscales using atomic force microscopy. Because of atomic force microscopy's superior ability to image surface topology, this approach enabled visualization of the organization of possible underlying organic molecules involved in mineral structure formation. Diatom nanoscale silica structure varied greatly comparing the same feature in different species and different features within a single species, and frequently on different faces of the same object. These data indicate that there is not a strict relation between nanoscale silica morphology and the type of structure that contains it. On the mesoscale, there was a preponderance of linear structures regardless of the object imaged, suggesting that assembly or organization of linear organic molecules or subcellular assemblies that confine a linear space play an essential and conserved role in structure formation on that scale. Microscale structure imparted an overall influence over nanoand mesoscale structure, indicating that shaping of the silica deposition vesicle plays a key role in structure formation. These results provide insights into the design and assembly principles

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“…Understanding the timing of appearance and cellular positioning of an organic molecule in relation to formation of particular silica structures can be an important aspect of this characterization, since correlation would suggest some involvement. Three scales of structure formation have been identified in diatoms (Davis and Hildebrand, 2007; Hildebrand et al, 2006; Pickett-Heaps J. et al, 1990), 1) the nanoscale, which involves the initial polymerization products of silica apparently mediated by the interaction between proteins called silaffins (Kröger N. et al, 1999; Kröger N. et al, 2002; Poulsen N. and Kröger N., 2004), long chain polyamines (Kröger N. et al, 2000), and acidic phosphoproteins (Wenzl et al, 2008), 2) the mesoscale, which involves organization of nanoscale polymerization determinants into higher order structures, and 3) the microscale, in which the overall outline of the structure is determined by shaping of the silica deposition vesicle (SDV) – the membrane-bound intracellular compartment where silicification occurs (Drum R.W. and Pankratz H.S., 1964; Pickett-Heaps J. et al, 1990).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D imaging of diatoms with ion-abrasion scanning electron microscopy

Hildebrand

Kim

Shi

et al. 2009

Journal of Structural Biology

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Ion-abrasion scanning electron microscopy (IASEM) takes advantage of focused ion beams to abrade thin sections from the surface of bulk specimens, coupled with SEM to image the surface of each section, enabling 3D reconstructions of subcellular architecture at ~ 30 nm resolution. Here, we report the first application of IASEM for imaging a biomineralizing organism, the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana. Diatoms have highly patterned silica-based cell wall structures that are unique models for the study and application of directed nanomaterials synthesis by biological systems. Our study provides new insights into the architecture and assembly principles of both the "hard" (siliceous) and "soft" (organic) components of the cell. From 3D reconstructions of developmentally synchronized diatoms captured at different stages, we show that both micro-and nanoscale siliceous structures can be visualized at specific stages in their formation. We show that not only are structures visualized in a whole-cell context, but demonstrate that fragile, early-stage structures are visible, and that this can be combined with elemental mapping in the exposed slice. We demonstrate that the 3D architectures of silica structures, and the cellular components that mediate their creation and positioning can be visualized simultaneously, providing new opportunities to study and manipulate mineral nanostructures in a genetically tractable system.

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Molecular Processes of Biosilicification in Diatoms

Abstract: 256

Cited by 13 publications

References 153 publications

Dynamics of silica cell wall morphogenesis in the diatom Cyclotella cryptica: Substructure formation and the role of microfilaments

Dynamics of silica cell wall morphogenesis in the diatom Cyclotella cryptica: Substructure formation and the role of microfilaments

Diverse and conserved nano‐ and mesoscale structures of diatom silica revealed by atomic force microscopy

3D imaging of diatoms with ion-abrasion scanning electron microscopy

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