Ocean acidification driven discovery of novel crystal orientation rotating proteins from oyster shells

Professor Vengatesen, Thiyagarajan   (Principal Investigator (PI))

Dr Michio Suzuki   (Co-Investigator)

Professor Yeung Kelvin Wai Kwok   (Co-Investigator)

36

2020-01-01

2024-02-27

558272

Ocean acidification driven discovery of novel crystal orientation rotating proteins from oyster shells

Biomaterials, Biomineralization, Marine shell, Ocean acidification, Oyster

Environmental Studies and ScienceMaterials Sciences

Physical Sciences (P)

17304619

General Research Fund (GRF)

2019

Completed

1 To test the hypothesis that ocean acidification (OA) alters crystal orientation in oyster shells through the production of crystal orientation rotating shell matrix proteins (CR-SMPs). 2 To isolate and identify CR-SMPs from OA exposed shells using the power of shotgun proteomics and bioassay-guided fractionation techniques. 3 To define CR-SMPs function as crystal orientation rotating macromolecule using in vitro crystallization bioassays. 4 To validate CR-SMPs function using in vivo with RNA interference experiments. 5 To correlate CR-SMP genes and protein expressions to shell microstructure and mechanical properties to test the hypothesis that the oyster mantle tissue regulates CR-SMPs expression to compensate for the negative OA effects on shell structure and mechanical properties. 6 To integrate current and previous project data in order to project the impact of OA on biomineralization in oysters.