Molecular characterization of calponin in the catch muscle of the Yesso scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis

Abstract

Full-length cDNA clone encoding calponin from the catch muscle of the Yesso scallop, Mizuhopecten yessoensis, was isolated and sequenced. Scallop calponin consists of 384 amino acid residues and its deduced molecular weight was 42,154. The motif structure is composed of a single calponin homology domain and five tandem calponin domains, which are repeats of a 25 amino acid sequence. Sixty-four percent (64 %) of the amino acids identified in Yesso scallop calponin were similar to that from the anterior byssus retractor muscle (catch muscle) of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Dot blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses revealed that Yesso scallop calponin is mainly expressed in the catch muscle and, to a lesser extent, the mantle. Western blot analysis performed using rabbit anti-Yesso scallop calponin antiserum raised the possibility that a calponin isoform with a larger molecular weight is expressed in striated muscle.