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Velkova L, Dolashki A, Petrova V, Pisareva E, Kaynarov D, Kermedchiev M, Todorova M, Dolashka P. Antibacterial Properties of Peptide and Protein Fractions from Cornu aspersum Mucus. Molecules 2024; 29:2886. [PMID: 38930951 PMCID: PMC11206429 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The discovery and investigation of new natural compounds with antimicrobial activity are new potential strategies to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance. The presented study reveals, for the first time, the promising antibacterial potential of two fractions from Cornu aspersum mucus with an MW < 20 kDa and an MW > 20 kDa against five bacterial pathogens-Bacillus cereus 1085, Propionibacterium acnes 1897, Salmonella enterica 8691, Enterococcus faecalis 3915, and Enterococcus faecium 8754. Using de novo sequencing, 16 novel peptides with potential antibacterial activity were identified in a fraction with an MW < 20 kDa. Some bioactive compounds in a mucus fraction with an MW > 20 kDa were determined via a proteomic analysis on 12% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and bioinformatics. High homology with proteins and glycoproteins was found, with potential antibacterial activity in mucus proteins named aspernin, hemocyanins, H-lectins, and L-amino acid oxidase-like protein, as well as mucins (mucin-5AC, mucin-5B, mucin-2, and mucin-17). We hypothesize that the synergy between the bioactive components determined in the composition of the fraction > 20 kDa are responsible for the high antibacterial activity against the tested pathogens in concentrations between 32 and 128 µg/mL, which is comparable to vancomycin, but without cytotoxic effects on model eukaryotic cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Additionally, a positive effect, by reducing the levels of intracellular oxidative damage and increasing antioxidant capacity, on S. cerevisiae cells was found for both mucus extract fractions of C. aspersum. These findings may serve as a basis for further studies to develop a new antibacterial agent preventing the development of antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyudmila Velkova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 9, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (A.D.); (D.K.); (M.K.); (M.T.)
| | - Aleksandar Dolashki
- Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 9, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (A.D.); (D.K.); (M.K.); (M.T.)
| | - Ventsislava Petrova
- Faculty of Biology, Sofia University, 8 Dragan Tzankov blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria; (V.P.); (E.P.)
| | - Emiliya Pisareva
- Faculty of Biology, Sofia University, 8 Dragan Tzankov blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria; (V.P.); (E.P.)
| | - Dimitar Kaynarov
- Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 9, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (A.D.); (D.K.); (M.K.); (M.T.)
| | - Momchil Kermedchiev
- Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 9, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (A.D.); (D.K.); (M.K.); (M.T.)
| | - Maria Todorova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 9, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (A.D.); (D.K.); (M.K.); (M.T.)
- Businesslab Ltd., Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 4A, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Pavlina Dolashka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 9, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (A.D.); (D.K.); (M.K.); (M.T.)
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Zhu K, Zhang Z, Li G, Sun J, Gu T, Ain NU, Zhang X, Li D. Extraction, structure, pharmacological activities and applications of polysaccharides and proteins isolated from snail mucus. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 258:128878. [PMID: 38141709 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Snail mucus had medical applications for wound healing as early as ancient Greece and the late Han Dynasty (China). A literature search found 165 modern research papers discussing the extraction methods, chemical compositions, pharmacological activities, and applications of snail mucus. Thus, this review summarized the research progress on the extraction, structure, pharmacological activities, and applications of polysaccharides and proteins isolated from snail mucus. The extraction methods of snail mucus include natural secretion and stimulation with blunt force, spray, electricity, un-shelling, ultrasonic-assisted, and ozone-assisted. As a natural product, snail mucus mainly comprises two polysaccharides (glycosaminoglycan, dextran), seven glycoproteins (mucin, lectin), various antibacterial peptides, allantoin, glycolic acid, etc. It has pharmacological activities that encourage cell migration and proliferation, and promote angiogenesis and have antibacterial, anti-oxidative and anticancer properties. The mechanism of snail mucus' chemicals performing antibacterial and wound-healing was proposed. Snail mucus is a promising bioactive product with multiple medical applications and has great potential in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Therefore, this review provides a valuable reference for researching and developing snail mucus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kehan Zhu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China
| | - Zhiyi Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China
| | - Guanqiang Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Jiangcen Sun
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China
| | - Tianyi Gu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China
| | - Noor Ul Ain
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China
| | - Xicheng Zhang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Duxin Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China.
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Jeyachandran S, Radhakrishnan A, Ragavendran C. Harnessing the power of mollusc lectins as immuno-protective biomolecules. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:182. [PMID: 38261113 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-09018-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The rapid advancement of molecular research on macromolecules has contributed to the discovery of 'Lectin', a carbohydrate-binding protein which specifically interacts with receptors on the surface of glycans and regulates various cellular activities thereby stimulating immunological functions. Considering the wide variety of sources and immunological significance, research has led to the discovery of lectins in invertebrate molluscs. Such lectins in molluscs mediate active immune response as they lack adaptive immunity. Phylum Mollusca is identified with different types of lectins such as C-lectin, Galectin, P-lectin, I-lectin, and H-lectin, along with other immunologically significant lectin molecules such as F- lectin, R-lectin, ficolins, chitinase like lectin etc., all of these with specific ligand binding and structural diversity. Molluscan C-type lectins are the most functional ones that increase the activity of phagocytic cells through specific carbohydrate binding of antigenic ligands and haemocyte adhesion thereby enhancing the immune response. Helix pomatia agglutinin and Helix aspersa agglutinin are the two H-lectins that were identified within molluscs that could even target cancer-progressing cells through specific binding. Also, these lectins identified in molluscs are proven to be efficient in antibacterial and immunomodulatory functions. These insights attract researchers to identify novel lectins in molluscs and their characterization that play a key role in protection against diseases. This review discusses the structural features of mollusc lectins, their specific binding, molecular interactions and their immunological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivakamavalli Jeyachandran
- Lab in Biotechnology & Biosignal Transduction, Department of Orthodontics, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600077, India.
| | - Akshaya Radhakrishnan
- PG & Research Department of Biotechnology & Microbiology, National College Autonomous, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620001, India
| | - Chinnasamy Ragavendran
- Department of Cardiology, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha University, Chennai, 600 077, India
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Liegertová M, Malý J. Gastropod Mucus: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Biological Activities, Applications, and Strategic Priorities. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:5567-5579. [PMID: 37751898 PMCID: PMC10566510 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial gastropod mucus exhibits multifunctional attributes, enabling diverse applications. This comprehensive review integrates insights across biomedicine, biotechnology, and intellectual property to elucidate the bioactivities, physicochemical properties, and ecological roles of snail and slug mucus. Following an overview of mucus functional roles in gastropods, promising applications are highlighted in wound healing, antimicrobials, biomaterials, and cosmetics, alongside key challenges. An analysis of global patent trends reveals surging innovation efforts to leverage gastropod mucus. Strategic priorities include bioprospecting natural diversity, optimizing stabilization systems, recombinant biosynthesis, and fostering collaboration to translate promising potentials sustainably into impactful technologies. Ultimately, harnessing the remarkable multifunctionality of gastropod mucus holds immense opportunities for transformative innovations in biomedicine, biotechnology, and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Liegertová
- Centre of Nanomaterials and Biotechnology,
Faculty of Science, Jan Evangelista Purkyně
University in Ústí nad Labem, Pasteurova 3632/15, Ústí nad Labem 400 96, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Malý
- Centre of Nanomaterials and Biotechnology,
Faculty of Science, Jan Evangelista Purkyně
University in Ústí nad Labem, Pasteurova 3632/15, Ústí nad Labem 400 96, Czech Republic
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Den TQ, Neu TR, Sultana S, Giebel HA, Simon M, Billerbeck S. Distinct glycoconjugate cell surface structures make the pelagic diatom Thalassiosira rotula an attractive habitat for bacteria. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2023; 59:309-322. [PMID: 36471567 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between marine diatoms and bacteria have been studied for decades. However, the visualization of physical interactions between these diatoms and their colonizers is still limited. To enhance our understanding of these specific interactions, a new Thalassiosira rotula isolate from the North Sea (strain 8673) was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) after staining with fluorescently labeled lectins targeting specific glycoconjugates. To investigate defined interactions of this strain with bacteria the new strain was made axenic and co-cultivated with a natural bacterial community and in two- or three-partner consortia with different bacteria of the Roseobacter group, Gammaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. The CLSM analysis of the consortia identified six out of 78 different lectins as very suitable to characterize glycoconjugates of T. rotula. The resulting images show that fucose-containing threads were the dominant glycoconjugates secreted by the T. rotula cells but chitin and to a lesser extent other glycoconjugates were also identified. Bacteria attached predominantly to the fucose glycoconjugates. The colonizing bacteria showed various attachment patterns such as adhering to the diatom threads in aggregates only or attaching to both the surfaces and the threads of the diatom. Interestingly the colonization patterns of single bacteria differed strikingly from those of bacterial co-cultures, indicating that interactions between two bacterial species impacted the colonization of the diatom. Our observations help to better understand physical interactions and specific colonization patterns of distinct bacterial mono- and co-cultures with an abundant diatom of costal seas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tran Quoc Den
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Thomas R Neu
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sabiha Sultana
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Helge-A Giebel
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Meinhard Simon
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Sara Billerbeck
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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Heine V, Dey C, Bojarová P, Křen V, Elling L. Methods of in vitro study of galectin-glycomaterial interaction. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 58:107928. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.107928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Mollusc N-glycosylation: Structures, Functions and Perspectives. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11121820. [PMID: 34944464 PMCID: PMC8699351 DOI: 10.3390/biom11121820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Molluscs display a sophisticated N-glycan pattern on their proteins, which is, in terms of involved structural features, even more diverse than that of vertebrates. This review summarises the current knowledge of mollusc N-glycan structures, with a focus on the functional aspects of the corresponding glycoproteins. Furthermore, the potential of mollusc-derived biomolecules for medical applications is addressed, emphasising the importance of mollusc research.
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Harvey DJ. ANALYSIS OF CARBOHYDRATES AND GLYCOCONJUGATES BY MATRIX-ASSISTED LASER DESORPTION/IONIZATION MASS SPECTROMETRY: AN UPDATE FOR 2015-2016. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2021; 40:408-565. [PMID: 33725404 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This review is the ninth update of the original article published in 1999 on the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2016. Also included are papers that describe methods appropriate to analysis by MALDI, such as sample preparation techniques, even though the ionization method is not MALDI. Topics covered in the first part of the review include general aspects such as theory of the MALDI process, matrices, derivatization, MALDI imaging, fragmentation and arrays. The second part of the review is devoted to applications to various structural types such as oligo- and poly-saccharides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosides and biopharmaceuticals. Much of this material is presented in tabular form. The third part of the review covers medical and industrial applications of the technique, studies of enzyme reactions and applications to chemical synthesis. The reported work shows increasing use of combined new techniques such as ion mobility and the enormous impact that MALDI imaging is having. MALDI, although invented over 30 years ago is still an ideal technique for carbohydrate analysis and advancements in the technique and range of applications show no sign of deminishing. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Harvey
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Target Discovery Institute, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, United Kingdom
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Pietrzyk-Brzezinska AJ, Bujacz A. H-type lectins - Structural characteristics and their applications in diagnostics, analytics and drug delivery. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 152:735-747. [PMID: 32119947 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.02.320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Lectins are ubiquitous carbohydrate-binding proteins that interact with sugar moieties in a highly specific manner. H-type lectins represent a new group of lectins that were identified in invertebrates. These lectins share structural homology and bind mainly to N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc). Recent structural studies on the H-type lectins provided a detailed description of the GalNAc-lectin interaction that is already exploited in a number of biomedical applications. Two members of the H-type lectin family, Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA) and Helix aspersa agglutinin (HAA), have already been extensively used in many diagnostic tests due their ability to specifically recognize GalNAc. This ability is especially important because aberrant glycosylation patterns of proteins expressed by cancer cells contain GalNAc. In addition, H-type lectins were utilized in diagnostics of other non-cancer diseases and represent great potential as components of drug delivery systems. Here, we present an overview of the H-type lectins and their applications in diagnostics, analytics and drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka J Pietrzyk-Brzezinska
- Institute of Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Stefanowskiego 4/10, Lodz 90-924, Poland.
| | - Anna Bujacz
- Institute of Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Stefanowskiego 4/10, Lodz 90-924, Poland
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Pitt SJ, Hawthorne JA, Garcia-Maya M, Alexandrovich A, Symonds RC, Gunn A. Identification and characterisation of anti - Pseudomonas aeruginosa proteins in mucus of the brown garden snail, Cornu aspersum. Br J Biomed Sci 2019; 76:129-136. [PMID: 30966874 DOI: 10.1080/09674845.2019.1603794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Background: Novel antimicrobial treatments are urgently needed. Previous work has shown that the mucus of the brown garden snail (Cornu aspersum) has antimicrobial properties, in particular against type culture collection strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We hypothesised that it would also be effective against clinical isolates of the bacterium and that investigation of fractions of the mucus would identify one or more proteins with anti-pseudomonal properties, which could be further characterised. Materials and methods: Mucus was extracted from snails collected from the wild. Antimicrobial activity against laboratory and clinical isolates of Ps. aeruginosa was determined in disc diffusion assays. Mucus was purified using size exclusion chromatography and fractions containing anti-pseudomonal activity identified. Mass spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatography analysis of these fractions yielded partial peptide sequences. These were used to interrogate an RNA transcriptome generated from whole snails. Results: Mucus from C. aspersum inhibited growth of type collection strains and clinical isolates of Ps. aeruginosa. Four novel C. aspersum proteins were identified; at least three are likely to have antimicrobial properties. The most interesting is a 37.4 kDa protein whilst smaller proteins, one 17.5 kDa and one 18.6 kDa also appear to have activity against Ps. aeruginosa. Conclusions: The study has identified novel proteins with antimicrobial properties which could be used to develop treatments for use in human medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Pitt
- a School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences , University of Brighton , Brighton , UK
| | - J A Hawthorne
- a School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences , University of Brighton , Brighton , UK
| | - M Garcia-Maya
- b Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics , King's College London , London, UK
| | - A Alexandrovich
- b Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics , King's College London , London, UK
| | - R C Symonds
- c School of Natural Sciences and Psychology , Liverpool John Moores University , Liverpool , UK
| | - A Gunn
- c School of Natural Sciences and Psychology , Liverpool John Moores University , Liverpool , UK
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Gerdol M, Fujii Y, Hasan I, Koike T, Shimojo S, Spazzali F, Yamamoto K, Ozeki Y, Pallavicini A, Fujita H. The purplish bifurcate mussel Mytilisepta virgata gene expression atlas reveals a remarkable tissue functional specialization. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:590. [PMID: 28789640 PMCID: PMC5549309 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-4012-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mytilisepta virgata is a marine mussel commonly found along the coasts of Japan. Although this species has been the subject of occasional studies concerning its ecological role, growth and reproduction, it has been so far almost completely neglected from a genetic and molecular point of view. In the present study we present a high quality de novo assembled transcriptome of the Japanese purplish mussel, which represents the first publicly available collection of expressed sequences for this species. RESULTS The assembled transcriptome comprises almost 50,000 contigs, with a N50 statistics of ~1 kilobase and a high estimated completeness based on the rate of BUSCOs identified, standing as one of the most exhaustive sequence resources available for mytiloid bivalves to date. Overall this data, accompanied by gene expression profiles from gills, digestive gland, mantle rim, foot and posterior adductor muscle, presents an accurate snapshot of the great functional specialization of these five tissues in adult mussels. CONCLUSIONS We highlight that one of the most striking features of the M. virgata transcriptome is the high abundance and diversification of lectin-like transcripts, which pertain to different gene families and appear to be expressed in particular in the digestive gland and in the gills. Therefore, these two tissues might be selected as preferential targets for the isolation of molecules with interesting carbohydrate-binding properties. In addition, by molecular phylogenomics, we provide solid evidence in support of the classification of M. virgata within the Brachidontinae subfamily. This result is in agreement with the previously proposed hypothesis that the morphological features traditionally used to group Mytilisepta spp. and Septifer spp. within the same clade are inappropriate due to homoplasy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 5, 34126 Trieste, Italy
| | - Yuki Fujii
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Nagasaki International University, 2825-7 Huis Ten Bosch, Sasebo, Nagasaki, 859-3298 Japan
| | - Imtiaj Hasan
- Department of Life and Environmental System Science, Graduate School of NanoBio Sciences, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0027 Japan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205 Bangladesh
| | - Toru Koike
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Nagasaki International University, 2825-7 Huis Ten Bosch, Sasebo, Nagasaki, 859-3298 Japan
| | - Shunsuke Shimojo
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Nagasaki International University, 2825-7 Huis Ten Bosch, Sasebo, Nagasaki, 859-3298 Japan
| | - Francesca Spazzali
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 5, 34126 Trieste, Italy
| | - Kaname Yamamoto
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Nagasaki International University, 2825-7 Huis Ten Bosch, Sasebo, Nagasaki, 859-3298 Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Ozeki
- Department of Life and Environmental System Science, Graduate School of NanoBio Sciences, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0027 Japan
| | - Alberto Pallavicini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 5, 34126 Trieste, Italy
| | - Hideaki Fujita
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Nagasaki International University, 2825-7 Huis Ten Bosch, Sasebo, Nagasaki, 859-3298 Japan
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