Oyster Shell Proteins Originate from Multiple Organs and Their Probable Transport Pathway to the Shell Formation Front

Xiaotong Wang,Xiaorui Song,Yabing Zhu,Xiaodong Fang,Yuanxin Chen,Guofan Zhang,Huayong Que,Yishuai Du,Ronglian Huang,Li Li,Daniel John Jackson

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0066522

Abstract

Mollusk shell is one kind of potential biomaterial, but its vague mineralization mechanism hinders its further application. Mollusk shell matrix proteins are important functional components that are embedded in the shell, which play important roles in shell formation. The proteome of the oyster shell had been determined based on the oyster genome sequence by our group and gives the chance for further deep study in this area. The classical model of shell formation posits that the shell proteins are mantle-secreted. But, in this study, we further analyzed the shell proteome data in combination with organ transcriptome data and we found that the shell proteins may be produced by multiple organs though the mantle is still the most important organ for shell formation. To identify the transport pathways of these shell proteins not in classical model of shell formation, we conducted a shell damage experiment and we determined the shell-related gene set to identify the possible transport pathways from multiple organs to the shell formation front. We also found that there may exist a remodeling mechanism in the process of shell formation. Based on these results along with some published results, we proposed a new immature model, which will help us think about the mechanism of shell formation in a different way.

Highlights

Shells are one of the most remarkable characteristics of mollusks and they provide interesting insights in many research fields
Some molluscan shell proteins can affect bone resorption and these may be shared by vertebrate and mollusk in the process of mineralization, and nacre is sustained when implanted into bone tissue and it is one kind of potential bone substitute and other biomaterials [1,2,3,4]
DNA has been isolated from the oyster and other mollusk shells [5,6], which suggests that active and complex life processes existed in these mineralized tissues during their formation

Summary

Introduction

Shells are one of the most remarkable characteristics of mollusks and they provide interesting insights in many research fields. Some molluscan shell proteins can affect bone resorption and these may be shared by vertebrate and mollusk in the process of mineralization, and nacre is sustained when implanted into bone tissue and it is one kind of potential bone substitute and other biomaterials [1,2,3,4]. DNA has been isolated from the oyster and other mollusk shells [5,6], which suggests that active and complex life processes existed in these mineralized tissues during their formation. The phenomenon of shell dissolution has been observed [9,10] in previous studies though the molecular basis remains unclear, which the shell is an active and complex tissue and can change after formed. New discoveries make us reconsider the model of shell formation

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Conclusion