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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Improved Lipofuscin Models and Quantification of Outer Segment Phagocytosis Capacity in Highly Polarized Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cultures

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Do uric acid deposits in zooxanthellae function as eye-spots?

Hiroshi Yamashita¹, Atsushi Kobiyama, Kazuhiko Koike

¹Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.

|July 18, 2009

Summary

Coral symbionts, Symbiodinium, store nutrients as uric acid crystals. These deposits may also function as primitive eye-spots, aiding motility in nutrient-poor tropical waters.

Area of Science:

Marine Biology
Symbiosis Research
Cellular Physiology

Background:

Coral-algal symbiosis is vital for tropical marine ecosystems.
Physiological interactions between corals and Symbiodinium are not fully understood.
Intracellular crystalline deposits in Symbiodinium were previously misidentified.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the composition and function of intracellular crystalline deposits in Symbiodinium.
To explore the potential role of these deposits as nutrient storage and light-sensing structures.
To provide new insights into Symbiodinium's adaptations in oligotrophic environments.

Main Methods:

Light and electron microscopy of cultured Symbiodinium motile cells.
Analysis of crystalline deposit structure and optical properties.

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Detection of purines and photoreceptor proteins (opsin).

Main Results:

Intracellular crystalline deposits in Symbiodinium are composed of uric acid, functioning in nutrient storage.
These deposits exhibit optical properties (interference, reflection, refraction) suitable for light interaction.
Uric acid's presence and opsin detection support a potential eye-spot function in motile Symbiodinium.

Conclusions:

Uric acid deposits in Symbiodinium serve dual roles: nutrient storage and potentially as eye-spot components.
This finding offers novel insights into Symbiodinium's nutritional strategies and light-sensing capabilities.
The study highlights the complex adaptations of symbiotic dinoflagellates in marine ecosystems.