@article {7060,
	title = {Functional kleptoplasts intermediate incorporation of carbon and nitrogen in cells of the Sacoglossa sea slug Elysia viridis},
	journal = {Scientific Reports},
	volume = {10},
	year = {2020},
	month = {Jan-12-2020},
	abstract = {Some sacoglossan sea slugs incorporate intracellular functional algal chloroplasts, a process termed kleptoplasty. {\textquotedblleft}Stolen{\textquotedblright} chloroplasts (kleptoplasts) can remain photosynthetically active up to several months, contributing to animal nutrition. Whether this contribution occurs by means of translocation of photosynthesis-derived metabolites from functional kleptoplasts to the animal host or by simple digestion of such organelles remains controversial. Imaging of\&nbsp;13C and\&nbsp;15N assimilation over a 12-h incubation period of\&nbsp;Elysia viridis\&nbsp;sea slugs showed a light-dependent incorporation of carbon and nitrogen, observed first in digestive tubules and followed by a rapid accumulation into chloroplast-free organs. Furthermore, this work revealed the presence of\&nbsp;13C-labeled long-chain fatty acids (FA) typical of marine invertebrates, such as arachidonic (20:4n-6) and adrenic (22:4n-6) acids. The time frame and level of\&nbsp;13C- and\&nbsp;15N-labeling in chloroplast-free organs indicate that photosynthesis-derived primary metabolites were made available to the host through functional kleptoplasts. The presence of specific\&nbsp;13C-labeled long-chain FA, absent from\&nbsp;E. viridis\&nbsp;algal food, indicates animal based-elongation using kleptoplast-derived FA precursors. Finally, carbon and nitrogen were incorporated in organs and tissues involved in reproductive functions (albumin gland and gonadal follicles), implying a putative role of kleptoplast photosynthesis in the reproductive fitness of the animal host.},
	doi = {10.1038/s41598-020-66909-7},
	url = {http://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-66909-7},
	author = {Cruz, S{\'o}nia and LeKieffre, Charlotte and Cartaxana, Paulo and C{\'e}dric Hubas and Najet Thiney and Jakobsen, Sofie and Escrig, St{\'e}phane and Bruno Jesus and K{\"u}hl, Michael and Calado, Ricardo and Meibom, Anders}
}
