New insights into the functions of carbon–calcium inclusions in plants

Carbon–calcium inclusions (CCaI) either as calcium oxalate crystals (CaOx) or amorphous calcium carbonate cystoliths are spread among most photosynthetic organisms. They represent dynamic structures with a significant construction cost and their appearance during evolution indicates an ancient origi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The New phytologist 2020-11, Vol.228 (3), p.845-854
Main Authors: Karabourniotis, George, Horner, Harry T., Bresta, Panagiota, Nikolopoulos, Dimosthenis, Liakopoulos, Georgios
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biogeochemistry
biomineralisation
Calcium
Calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonates
Calcium Oxalate
calcium oxalate crystals
Carbon
Carbon dioxide
Carbon sequestration
Carbonates
carbon–calcium inclusions
Construction costs
Crystals
cystoliths
Deprivation
Drought
drought stress
Herbivores
Inclusions
Metals
Oxalic acid
Pathogens
Photosynthesis
Plant structures
Plants
Probiotics
Research review
Soil
Storage
Structures
Toxicity
Water chemistry
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Summary:Carbon–calcium inclusions (CCaI) either as calcium oxalate crystals (CaOx) or amorphous calcium carbonate cystoliths are spread among most photosynthetic organisms. They represent dynamic structures with a significant construction cost and their appearance during evolution indicates an ancient origin. Both types of inclusions share some similar functional characteristics providing adaptive advantages such as the regulation of Ca levels, and the release of CO₂ and water molecules upon decomposition. The latter seems to be essential under drought conditions and explains the intense occurrence of these structures in plants thriving in dry climates. It seems, however, that for plants CaOx may represent a more prevalent storage system compared with CaCO₃ due to the multifunctionality of oxalate. This compound participates in a number of important soil biogeochemical processes, creates endosymbiosis with beneficial bacteria and provides tolerance against a combination of abiotic (nutrient deprivation, metal toxicity) and biotic (pathogens, herbivores) stress factors. We suggest a re-evaluation of the roles of these fascinating plant structures under a new and holistic approach that could enhance our understanding of carbon sequestration at the whole plant level and provide future perspectives.
ISSN:0028-646X
1469-8137
DOI:10.1111/nph.16763