Identification of methionine -rich insoluble proteins in the shell of the pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata.

ABSTRACT: The molluscan shell is a biomineral that comprises calcium carbonate and organic matrices controlling the crystal growth of calcium carbonate. The main components of organic matrices are insoluble chitin and proteins. Various kinds of proteins have been identified by solubilizing them with reagents, such as acid or detergent. However, insoluble proteins remained due to the formation of a solid complex with chitin. Herein, we identified these proteins from the nacreous layer, prismatic layer, and hinge ligament of Pinctada fucata using mercaptoethanol and trypsin. Most identified proteins contained a methionine-rich region in common. We focused on one of these proteins, NU-5, to examine the function in shell formation. Gene expression analysis of NU-5 showed that NU-5 was highly expressed i

SUBMITTER: Kintsu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7591529 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature