Article
Genetics & Heredity
Yu-Ting Dai, Qi-Xin Fan, Yi-Rong Chen, Xiao-Chen Huang, Shan Ouyang, Xiao-Ping Wu
Summary: The study collected C. celtiformis from its type locality and determined its complete maternal mitochondrial genome. The findings confirm that the currently recognized genus Cuneopsis is polyphyletic, with C. celtiformis being closely related to C. heudei. Comprehensive sampling of all Cuneopsis species is needed for future phylogenetic analysis and to establish new genera.
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA PART B-RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel M. Lins, Rosana M. Rocha
Summary: This study investigated the distribution of eight invasive species in Santa Catarina, Brazil, the main mussel production area in the country. The results showed that these species were present in all sites, but their distribution was spatially restricted for both adult and recruit individuals. Propagule pressure was found to be the main driver of distribution for three species, while port distance only explained the distribution of one species.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. M. Goncalves, M. Benedetti, G. d'Errico, F. Regoli, M. J. Bebianno
Summary: Concerns about plastic pollution and toxicity towards animals and people are increasing. Polystyrene (PS), a commonly used plastic polymer, ends up in the marine environment through illegal dumping, improper waste management, and lack of treatment. Nanoplastics (<1000 nm) have gained interest due to their small size that allows them to cross cellular boundaries and cause toxic effects. This study examined the cellular viability and acute toxicity of PS nano-plastics (PS-NPs) on Mytilus galloprovincialis haemocytes and Aliivibrio fischeri bacteria, as well as the neurotoxic effects and uptake of PS-NPs in mussel tissues. The results showed decreased cellular viability and significant neurotoxic effects, with PS-NPs being ingested primarily through the gills and then translocated throughout the mussel's body. The ingestion of PS-NPs compromised digestive gland function and reproductive success. The study provides a synthetic assessment of cellular hazard from PS-NPs based on weighted criteria and previous data on cellular biomarkers.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Minhui Xu, Zhongqi Gu, Ji Huang, Baoying Guo, Lihua Jiang, Kaida Xu, Yingying Ye, Jiji Li
Summary: In this study, the mitochondrial genome of Mytilisepta virgata was analyzed. The gene arrangement was found to be relatively conserved at the genus level, but exhibited a high level of rearrangement compared to the putative molluscan ancestral gene order. Phylogenetic analysis based on concatenated 12 PCGs from Mytilidae placed M. virgata in the same clade as other Mytilisepta spp. Divergence time estimation indicated that M. virgata and M. keenae diverged in the early Paleogene period.
Review
Chemistry, Applied
A. Catarina Vale, Paulo R. Pereira, Natalia M. Alves
Summary: Marine mussels have unique adhesive properties attributed to specific proteins secreted by them, known as marine mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs). Efforts have been made to develop biomaterials mimicking this adhesive performance for biomedical applications. Researchers have successfully produced various polymeric biomaterials, such as films and hydrogels, based on these bioinspired materials.
REACTIVE & FUNCTIONAL POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Qingzhi Wang, Hongyue Liu, Weiming Teng, Zuoan Yu, Xiangfeng Liu, Xi Xie, Chao Yue, Dacheng Li, Miao Liang, Qi Li
Summary: In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of Alectryonella plicatula was sequenced and analyzed. The phylogenetic analysis based on 12 protein coding genes showed that Alectryonella plicatula is closely related to Crassostrea gigas.
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA PART B-RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Olfat Abdelsaleheen, Jouni Taskinen, Jukka Kekalainen, Raine Kortet
Summary: This study investigated the basic biology and sex-dependent effects of parasitism on reproduction in the widely distributed Eurasian freshwater mussel Anodonta anatina. The findings showed a male-biased sex ratio and continuous gonadal development throughout the year. The mussels were infected with trematode parasites, with Rhipidocotyle campanula being the dominant species. The parasitism was negatively associated with reproduction.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Hongtao Nie, Yuri Ph Kartavtsev
Summary: The structure and composition of the mitogenome of a bivalve mollusk, Mactra sp. (MT780813), has been studied. It was found to have distinct differences from a closely related specimen in GenBank, indicating the possibility of different genders or potential cryptic species.
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA PART B-RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nashami Alnajar, Awadhesh N. Jha, Andrew Turner
Summary: The results of the study suggest that tumble dryer lint may have adverse effects on marine mussels, including reduced clearance rate, tissue abnormalities, and DNA damage. These effects are likely due to both the fibrous material itself and chemicals released from the polymers.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Artem A. A. Lyubas, Alena A. A. Tomilova, Alexander V. V. Kondakov, Ekaterina S. S. Konopleva, Ilya V. V. Vikhrev, Mikhail Yu. Gofarov, Tatyana A. A. Eliseeva, Olga V. V. Aksenova, Galina V. V. Bovykina, Darya V. V. Kryuk, Tatyana L. L. Gorbunova, Oxana Munjiu, Oleg S. S. Pokrovsky, Ivan N. N. Bolotov
Summary: This study analyzed the lineages of the duck mussel Anodonta anatina based on COI gene sequences. The results showed a high level of genetic diversity in the freshwater basins of Northern and Central Eurasia, indicating connections between these basins during the Late Quaternary. The genetic group from Northern Eurasia can be divided into two sub-lineages with different genetic structures and distribution patterns. The lineage from the Ponto-Caspian region is a genetically rich and diverged group present in the riverine basins of West-Central Asia related to the Caspian Sea.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
P. P. Anand, Y. Shibu Vardhanan
Summary: The macroscopic production of mussel foot proteins (Mfps) in the expression system has not been successful due to low expression levels, lack of post-translational modifications (PTMs), and immunological toxicity. In this study, in silico characterization of PTMs, antigenicity, allergenicity, and immunological responses of Mfps were performed. Codon optimization was carried out in three expression systems, and the best expression host was determined. In-silico cloning of codon-optimized Mfps in a suitable host (E. coli K12, pET28a(+) vector) was performed, and the secondary structure and stability of mRNA were analyzed. Among the 78 Mfps, six are potential allergenic proteins, six are non-allergenic proteins, and the rest are likely allergenic. Bacterial cells showed higher antigenicity and predicted expression of Mfps compared to yeast and tumor cells. It was concluded that the immunological properties of Mfps are related to their amino acid composition. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Mfps and assist in future genetic engineering and expression of Mfps.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joanna M. Goncalves, Vania Serrao Sousa, Margarida Ribau Teixeira, Maria Joao Bebianno
Summary: This study examined the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on marine mussels and found that nanoplastics induce genotoxicity and oxidative damage in these organisms, overwhelming antioxidant enzymes and causing tissue-dependent toxicity over time. The results suggest that mussel tissues are incapable of coping with the adverse effects of nanoplastics.
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. C. Mata, V Castro, J. B. Quintana, R. Rodil, R. Beiras, L. Vidal-Linan
Summary: Mussels exposed to organophosphorus flame retardants showed bioaccumulation, with tricresyl phosphate, triphenyl phosphate, and 2-ethylhexyldiphenylphosphate having the highest accumulation rates. The presence of aryl groups, low solubility in water, and affinity for fat tissues may contribute to this phenomenon. It is important to consider the bioaccumulation of these compounds in marine environments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shen Jean Lim, Luke R. R. Thompson, Kelly D. D. Goodwin
Summary: The methane ice worm Sirsoe methanicola has been found to colonize methane hydrates in cold seeps, but little is known about these organisms. Through metagenomic analysis, we have obtained more genetic information about S. methanicola, including its nuclear rRNA genes, mitochondrial genome, and other protein-coding genes. The protein-coding genes identified in the metagenomes are involved in various cellular processes, and we also found homologs of cytochrome P450 involved in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolism.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tim Young, Samantha L. Gale, Norman L. C. Ragg, Sylvia G. Sander, David J. Burritt, Billy Benedict, Dung V. Le, Silas G. Villas-Boas, Andrea C. Alfaro
Summary: Developing new tools to assess the health of cultivated shellfish larvae is crucial for the aquaculture industry. In a large-scale trial, mussel embryos were exposed to copper in the presence of EDTA, and metabolomics analysis was used to identify potential biomarkers for monitoring and characterize the mechanisms of metal toxicity. The results showed that low levels of bioavailable copper caused coordinated fluctuations in metabolite profiles, while lethal levels of copper induced severe metabolic dysregulation and cell/organism death.
