1370-Evolution of the Coral Symbiosome
This research identifies the lysosomal origins of the symbiosome, a specialized organelle that allows corals and sea anemones to host photosynthetic algae. By analyzing the proteome of this compartment in the anemone Aiptasia, scientists discovered that host animals co-opt existing cellular machinery typically used for digestion to instead support and maintain their symbionts. A critical finding is the role of the transporter protein SLC26A11, which was found to be essential for providing inorganic carbon and sulfate to the algae to fuel photosynthesis. Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, the…
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