Characterization of larval shell formation and CgPOU2F1, CgSox5, and CgPax6 gene expression during shell...

Shell formation is a dynamic process involving organic matrix secretion and calcification. In this study, we characterized shell morphogenesis during larval development in Crassostrea gigas. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence staining, we demonstrated that shell field, the first morphologically distinguishable shell-forming tissue, became visible soon after enlargement of the blastopore at the anterior end of the trochophore. Shell organic matrix namely protein polysaccharides and calcified structure appeared as a slit at the dorsal side of the embryo. The early shell field began to extend along the dorsal side of the trochophore larvae, and became a saddle shaped shell field that gave rise to the prodissoconch I embryonic shell in the early D-shaped larvae. Subsequently, prodissoconch II shell was formed in the late D-shaped larvae with a characteristic appearance of growth lines. To identify gene expression markers for studying shell formation, we isolated three potential larval shell formation genes CgPOU2F1, CgSox5, and CgPax6 and analyzed their expression during shell morphogenesis. The three potential shell formation genes possessed a similar pattern of expression. Their expression was detected in the shell gland and shell field regions in early D-shaped larvae, hereafter, their expression was detected at the larval mantle edge in the calcified shell stages. Together, these studies provide knowledge of shell morphogenesis in pacific oyster and molecular markers for studying the molecular regulation of biomineralization and shell formation.