Some Structural Proteins of Mytilus edulis

Abstract

1. The byssus threads, periostracum, hinge, ground substance of the shell, and the supporting material of the gills of Mytilus edulis, have been examined by physical, chemical, and histochemical means. 2. The byssus threads, periostracum, and hinge have been shown to consist of a quinone-tanned protein. 3. The byssus threads are formed in the posterior groove of the foot from the secretions of two glands, the ‘white’ gland which supplies the bulk of the protein of the thread, and the ‘purple’ gland which supplies the aromatic material responsible for the tanning. The periostracum is secreted by gland cells in the epithelium of the outer lobe of the mantle edge 4. The supporting material of the gills is a fibrous protein without quinone-tanning. This protein is in some respects similar to the untanned protein of the byssus.