Identification and Characterization of Biomineralization-Related Genes

Abstract

Pinctada fucata, famous as one of the most important economically bivalves all over the world, is also an excellent animal model for biomineralization study, the process of which is conducted by reaction and precipitation via converting ions into solid minerals where matrix protein functions as crucial regulators (Pertea G et al, Bioinformatics 19:651–652, 2003; Conesa A et al, 21:3674–3676, 2005). In general, the studies of pearl formation could be separated into two aspects: the isolation, identification, and functional analysis of shell matrix proteins and calcium metabolism process, including Ca2+ absorption, transportation, storage and deposition, etc (Ye et al. 34:W293–W297, 2006). We successfully constructed three suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) libraries and established transcriptome database to obtain and analyze novel matrix proteins and their functions. In addition, we first isolated the full-length of CaM cDNA and characterized its functions. Other calcium metabolism-related proteins, such as calmodulin-like proteins and calcineurin, were also identified, the working mechanisms of which were studied in more detail at the same time. The primary techniques adopted in this chapter comprised RNA-seq, rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), cell co-localization, in situ hybridization, RNA interference, CaCO3 crystallization, etc. In summary, elucidating the underlying mechanisms of biomineralization will lead to the innovative understanding of medical sciences and materials and also provide significant technical supports for pearl shellfish farming and pearl production.