Structures of mollusc shell framework proteins
Article Abstract:
The amino-acid sequence GGGFGVLGGG (single-letter code) can be obtained by cleaving the protein contained in the ground and decalcified nacreous layer of the shell of the pearl oyster. The protein is cleaved by treatment with cyanogen bromide, and then separated by Tricine-SDS-PAGE. The cleaved peptide is then western blotted onto a polyvinyl pyrrolidone difluoride filter. It is possible to isolate two complementary DNA clones, pMSI1 and pMSI2. The first encodes a glycine- and alanine-rich protein containing the sequence GGGFGVGLGGG, while the second encodes a glycine-rich protein containing the sequences GVGLG and GVGL.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Control of crystal phase switching and orientation by soluble mollusc-shell proteins
Article Abstract:
The polyanionic proteins present in abalone shell control the formation of the aragonite and calcium carbonate crystals and the switching between the two forms during shell biomineralization. The proteins also control the nucleation, crystal orientation, and the polymorph phase. The process does not require the presence of a protein sheet between the crystal layers. The protein sheet controls the orientation of the calcite primer growth. The results of the study indicate that a pre-formed organic array is unnecessary for crystal formation.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Site of particle selection in a bivalve mollusc
Article Abstract:
Bivalve mollusks have profound effects on coastal waters. They can select different particle types. A combination of video endoscopy and flow cytometry has been used to show that oysters can choose living particles over non-living detritus on the gills. This method will help the study of suspension feeding amongst many animal groups.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Stirrings of the galactic heart. The inner edge of the accretion disk around a supermassive black hole. Photons from a hotter hell
- Abstracts: Inside the MADS box. Interaction of E1 and hSNF5 proteins stimulates replication of human papillomavirus DNA. Crystal structure of a replication fork single-stranded DNA binding protein (T4 gp32) complexed to DNA
- Abstracts: Dangers hang over dependency. Structural characterization of pentacoordinate silicon in a calcium silicate. At the magma ocean floor
- Abstracts: Transportin nuclear proteins. Fusion of CHOP to a novel RNA-binding protein in human myxoid liposarcoma. Just follow the acid chain
- Abstracts: Release from inhibition reveals the visual past. Reflections on colour constancy. Visual decomposition of colour through motion extrapolation