Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026

A Whole Mount In Situ Hybridization Method for the Gastropod Mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis
Published on: March 15, 2016
Visualization of shell matrix proteins in hemocytes and tissues of the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica
Mary B Johnstone1, Steve Ellis, Andrew S Mount
1Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA. MBJ@clemson.edu
Abstract:
The tissues of the oyster were examined for the presence of shell matrix proteins (SMPs) using a combination of Western, proteomic, and epi-fluorescent microscopy techniques. SMP, including 48 and 55 kDa phosphoproteins, was detected in the epithelial cells of mantle, gill, heart, and adductor muscle and linings of arteries and veins. The 48 kDa SMP circulates continuously within the hemolymph, and is present in the immune system hemocytes. It appears to be secreted from hemocytes on induction of shell repair. We suggest that the 48 and 55 kDa proteins are multifunctional and bridge the process of soft tissue repair and shell formation by mediating cellular activities during immune response as well as interacting with the mineral phase during deposition.
Related Concept Videos
Cleavage and Blastulation
Matrix Proteoglycans and Glycoproteins
Western Blotting
The technique begins with separating proteins from the sample using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), followed by protein transfer, immunoblotting, and finally, protein detection.

