Abstract
In this study, we clone and characterize a novel matrix protein, hic31, from the mantle of Hyriopsis cumingii. The amino acid composition of hic31 consists of a high proportion of Glycine residues (26.67%). Tissue expression detection by RT-PCR indicates that hic31 is expressed specifically at the mantle edge. In situ hybridization results reveals strong signals from the dorsal epithelial cells of the outer fold at the mantle edge, and weak signals from inner epithelial cells of the same fold, indicating that hic31 is a prismatic-layer matrix protein. Although BLASTP results identify no shared homology with other shell-matrix proteins or any other known proteins, the hic31 tertiary structure is similar to that of collagen I, alpha 1 and alpha 2. It has been well proved that collagen forms the basic organic frameworks in way of collagen fibrils and minerals present within or outside of these fibrils. Therefore, hic31 might be a framework-matrix protein involved in the prismatic-layer biomineralization. Besides, the gene expression of hic31 increase in the early stages of pearl sac development, indicating that hic31 may play important roles in biomineralization of the pearl prismatic layer.
Highlights
IntroductionMany living organisms are capable of converting inorganic ions into solid minerals through a dynamic physiological process called biomineralization [1, 2]
Many living organisms are capable of converting inorganic ions into solid minerals through a dynamic physiological process called biomineralization [1, 2]. This process allows the formation of many external and internal hard tissues that display a wide range of functions [3]
The nacre is usually comprised of 95% calcium carbonate and accounts for only 0.1%-5% of the organic matrix, of which the organic matrix are densely
Summary
Many living organisms are capable of converting inorganic ions into solid minerals through a dynamic physiological process called biomineralization [1, 2]. This process allows the formation of many external and internal hard tissues (e.g. shells, pearls, and bones) that display a wide range of functions [3]. The mollusk shell and pearl (especially the nacre of shells or pearls as a non-human organic-mineral biomaterial) becomes the focus of biomaterial and aquatic research due to their highly-ordered microstructure and superior mechanical properties [2, 4]. The nacre is usually comprised of 95% calcium carbonate and accounts for only 0.1%-5% of the organic matrix, of which the organic matrix are densely
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