Differential distribution of cAMP-dependent protein kinase isoforms in the mantle of the bivalve mollusc Mytilus galloprovincialis

Abstract

Two different isoforms of the regulatory (R) subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), named R(myt1) and R(myt2), had previously been identified in the sea mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. R(myt1) and R(myt2) were differentially distributed in the various cell types comprising the mussel mantle. R(myt1) was found the only isoform to be present in the auxiliary cells of female follicles and the cubic epithelium of the middle fold of mantle edge. In contrast, only the R(myt2) isoform was detected in the subepithelial connective tissue, the endothelium of haemolymph vessels, the adipogranular and vesicular cells of reserve connective tissue, and the spermatozoa. Finally, both R(myt1) and R(myt2) coexist in some cell types but they show a different cellular localization: R(myt1) was localized in the cytoplasm whereas R(myt2) was mainly detected in the cell apical edge, cell periphery, cilia and sperm flagella. Interestingly, both R(myt1) and R(myt2) were absent in oocytes within the female gonadal follicles but, in contrast, they were highly expressed in follicle-released oocytes collected after spawning. Taken together the results show that mussel PKA isoforms are differentially distributed in the mantle cell types, which suggests that they are involved in the regulation of distinct cellular functions. On the other hand, the expression of R(myt1) and R(myt2) proteins is associated with the meiosis resumption of oocytes at the prophase I stage, which occurs in parallel to spawning.