Three variants of the sequence of formation of the nacre-prism transition layer were observed in Pinctada fucata (Bivalvia, Mollusca) shells. In each case, the layer was formed by the organic matrix secreted by the mantle, together with the interprismatic organic envelope. The continuity of the organic phase throughout the shell was maintained as the new nacreous layer was formed on the nacre-prism transition layer. Changes in the interprismatic organic envelopes on either side of the nacre-prism transition zone indicated that the organic matrix of the nacre-prism transition layer becomes embedded into the organic phase of the prismatic layer. It is concluded that penetration and erosion of the prisms by the organic matrix generates a strong bond between the prismatic and nacreous layers.
LIU XiaoJunLIU ChangSUN JuanZHOU YuJuanZHENG GuiLanZHANG GuiYouWANG HongZhongXIE LiPingZHANG RongQing
In this study, we examined the effect of elevated temperature on the expression patterns of genes, i.e., nacrein, irr, n16, n19, and hsp70 in the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata. The experiment was carried out at 4 temperatures, i.e., 20℃(ambient, control), 24, 28℃, and 32℃. The expression levels of target genes in P. fucata were assayed at 0, 6, 24, 48, and 96 h via real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results showed that the expression levels of nacrein and irr had no significant variations among different time points below 28℃, but significantly increased over time at 32℃. The expression levels of n16 and n19 did not change markedly at 20℃. The former increased significantly at 6 h and 24 h while the latter substantially decreased during 6–96 h at 24, 28 and 32℃. Among different temperatures, the level of n16 was significantly lower at 20℃ than at other temperatures during 6–96 h, and the level of n19 significantly varied among different temperatures at 48 h and 96 h. The expression level of hsp70 was significantly higher at 32℃ than at 20, 24 and 28℃ at 24 h. These results demonstrated that elevated temperature impacted the physiological processes of P. fucata and potentially influenced its adaptability to thermal stress.
