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0This 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 researchers demonstrated that disabling this protein disrupts the symbiosis in both anemones and reef-building corals. These results suggest that the repeated evolution of coral reefs relied on a relatively simple biological pathway where ancestral digestive structures were repurposed into nutrient-sharing hubs. Ultimately, the study provides a molecular framework for understanding how these complex marine ecosystems thrive and how they might be affected by environmental stress.
References:
Maruyama S, Henderson C F, Swinhoe N, et al. Co-option of lysosomal machinery shapes the evolution of the intracellular photosymbiosis supporting coral reefs[J]. Cell, 2026.
