Proteomic analysis of trochophore and veliger larvae development in the small abalone Haliotis diversicolor

Haliotis diversicolor is commercially important species. The trochophore and veliger are distinct larval stages in gastropod development. Their development involves complex morphological and physiological changes. We studied protein changes during the embryonic development of H. diversicolor using two dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and label-free methods, tandem mass spectrometry (MS/ MS), and Mascot for protein identification.

A total of 150 2-DE gel spots were identified. Protein spots showed upregulation of 15 proteins and downregulation of 28 proteins as H. diversicolor developed from trochophore to veliger larvae. Trochophore and veliger larvae were compared using a label-free quantitative proteomic approach. A total of 526 proteins were identified from both samples, and 104 proteins were differentially expressed (> 1.5 fold). Compared with trochophore larvae, veliger larvae had 55 proteins upregulated and 49 proteins downregulated. These differentially expressed proteins were involved in shell formation, energy metabolism, cellular and stress response processes, protein synthesis and folding, cell cycle, and cell fate determination. Compared with the 5 protein (fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, 14-3-3ε, profilin, actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin) and calreticulin) expression patterns, the mRNA expression exhibited similar patterns except gene of fructose-bisphosphate aldolase.

Our results provide insight into novel aspects of protein function in shell formation, torsion, and nervous system development, and muscle system differentiation in H. diversicolor larvae. "Quality control" proteins were identified to be involved in abalone larval development.