L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) secreted by oyster (Crassostrea gigas) mantle cells: functional aspects

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 1998

Authors

almeida, mj (Author) Other; machado, j (Author) ICBAS; coelho, mav (Author) Other; da silva, ps (Author) FMUP; coimbra, j (Author) Other

Journal

Title: COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Vol. 120

Pages: 709-713

ISSN: 0305-0491

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 9 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-001-7BB

DOI: 10.1016/s0305-0491(98)10066-4

Abstract (EN): L-DOPA is present in many molluscan periostraca and is thought to play an important role in the shell protein sclerotization mechanism. We analyzed L-DOPA content in organic membranes produced by the oyster (Crassostrea gigas) mantle as a reaction against shell damage, such as induced by Polydora sp. infestation, an artificial perforation of the shell, and in normal oysters mantle. When oysters are secreting the protective organic membrane against a shell perforation, the area of mantle close to the repairing region had a greater L-DOPA content than the remaining mantle. Mantle border as a whole had the same L-DOPA content as the central mantle. Nevertheless there is a variation pattern in mantle border L-DOPA content, the area near the umbo having a higher content and decreasing towards the frontal region. L-DOPA content in younger oysters was greater than that in older oysters. The results of perforation experiment suggest a good correlation between organic membrane synthesis and L-DOPA mantle border content. Concerning normal oysters, a higher L-DOPA content in mantle border than in central mantle would be expected but we couldn't detect any differences. From all the results there is some evidence that mantle L-DOPA is related to other functions in addition to participating in the sclerotization mechanism. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc. Al! rights reserved.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5