While
I have identified and am currently sequencing a series of candidate cDNAs for
genes such as Ca2+ ATPase, L-type Calcium ions ports and beta Tubulin, I have
failed to find evidence of a strong involvement of one form of the enzyme carbonic
anhydrase in calcification. The latter is extremely puzzling and requires further
work to substantiate. This could have significant implications for our models
of how corals lay down CaCO3. This exciting work will generate a host of new
projects that I am currently planning for. A better understanding of calcification
may generate a clearer insight into why such environmental stresses as inorganic
nutrients like ammonium and phosphate cause dramatic decreases in the calcification
ability of corals (Hoegh-Guldberg 1999).
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