A strong quick-release biointerface in mussels mediated by serotonergic cilia-based adhesion
Jenaes Sivasundarampillai1, Lucia Youssef1, Tobias Priemel1
1Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B8, Canada.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|November 16, 2023
Summary
Mussels detach their strong byssus anchors using motile cilia at the biointerface. This neurochemically regulated process allows them to release and relocate when facing environmental stress.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Marine Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Mussel byssus anchors provide a robust biointerface between biological tissues and non-biological materials.
- The mechanism by which mussels detach and regenerate their byssus anchors remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structure and composition of the mussel byssus biointerface.
- To elucidate the mechanism of byssus stem release and regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Histology
- Confocal Raman mapping
- Phase contrast-enhanced microcomputed tomography
- Advanced electron microscopy
Main Results:
- The byssus biointerface features abiotic biopolymer sheets interdigitated with living extracellular matrix.
- Motile epithelial cilia on the sheet surfaces mediate biointerface strength and stem release.
- Cilia-driven collective movement, regulated neurochemically, controls byssus detachment.
Conclusions:
- Mussels possess a sophisticated biointerface mechanism for anchor detachment and regeneration.
- Neurochemical regulation of cilia suggests a sensory pathway for mussels to respond to environmental stress and relocate.
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