Polyphenolic Substance of Mytilus edulis : Novel Adhesive Containing L-Dopa and Hydroxyproline

Abstract

The fouling marine mussel Mytilus edulis attaches itself to various substrates by spinning byssal threads, the adhesive discs of which are rich in the amino acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa). An acid-soluble protein was extracted and purified from the phenol gland located in the byssus-secreting foot of the animal. This protein is highly basic and contains large amounts of lysine, dopa, and 3- and 4-hydroxyproline. The composition of this protein and its sticky tendencies in vitro strongly suggest that it contributes to byssal adhesion.

Keywords

MytilusByssusHydroxyprolineBlue musselChemistryBiochemistryAmino acidBiologyEcology

Affiliated Institutions

UConn Health US

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Publication Info

Year: 1981
Type: article
Volume: 212
Issue: 4498
Pages: 1038-1040
Citations: 1027
Access: Closed

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APA Style

                            
                                    J. Herbert Waite, 
                                
                                    Marvin L. Tanzer
                                
                            (1981). 
                            Polyphenolic Substance of <i>Mytilus edulis</i> : Novel Adhesive Containing L-Dopa and Hydroxyproline. 
                            Science
                            , 212
                            (4498)
                            , 1038-1040.
                            https://doi.org/10.1126/science.212.4498.1038

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1126/science.212.4498.1038