biostudies-literatureDurak GMNatural Environment Research Council15409https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5684398biostudies-literatureUnknown7(1)The production of calcium carbonate by coccolithophores (haptophytes) contributes significantly to global biogeochemical cycling. The recent identification of a silicifying haptophyte, Prymnesium neolepis, has provided new insight into the evolution of biomineralisation in this lineage. However, the cellular mechanisms of biomineralisation in both calcifying and silicifying haptophytes remain poorly understood. To look for commonalities between these two biomineralisation systems in haptophytes, we have determined the role of actin and tubulin in the formation of intracellular biomineralised scales in the coccolithophore, Coccolithus braarudii and in P. neolepis. We find that disruption of the actin network interferes with secretion of the biomineralised elements in both C. braarudii and PScientific reportsThe role of the cytoskeleton in biomineralisation in haptophyte algae.PMC5684398NE/N011708/1NE/J021954/1NE/H016996/1Wheeler GLDurak GMBrownlee CfalseThe role of the cytoskeleton in biomineralisation in haptophyte algae.The production of calcium carbonate by coccolithophores (haptophytes) contributes significantly to global biogeochemical cycling. The recent identification of a silicifying haptophyte, Prymnesium neolepis, has provided new insight into the evolution of biomineralisation in this lineage. However, the cellular mechanisms of biomineralisation in both calcifying and silicifying haptophytes remain poorly understood. To look for commonalities between these two biomineralisation systems in haptophytes, we have determined the role of actin and tubulin in the formation of intracellular biomineralised scales in the coccolithophore, Coccolithus braarudii and in P. neolepis. We find that disruption of the actin network interferes with secretion of the biomineralised elements in both C. braarudii and P2017-01-01T00:00:00Z2017 Nov2025-04-22T21:16:43.764Z2019-03-27T03:01:47ZS-EPMC56843982913392810.1038/s41598-017-15562-8