Formation of pearl using pearl protein film

2013 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24658183
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Fisheries chemistry
• Research Institution: Mie University
• Principal Investigator: KANOH Satoshi 三重大学, 生物資源学研究科, 教授 (80177550)
• Research Collaborator: NAGAI Kiyohito 株式会社ミキモト, 真珠研究所, 所長
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2014-03-31
• Keywords: 真珠 / アコヤガイ / タンパク質 / シート / フィルム / 結晶

Research Abstract

The authors isolated the matrix protein that contributes luster to pearls as a film from the pearl oyster shell and pearl. We named it, the pearl protein film. This study aimed to obtain basic data for the application and development of the pearl industry.
The samples attached the pearl protein film on a glass plate were inserted between the shell and the mantle of the pearl oyster and pacific oyster. These oysters were kept in pearl farm for 3-6 months. Matrix protein layer, prismatic layer and the abnormal prismatic layer were observed newly, in the pearl oyster shell. On the other hand, abnormal matrix protein layers were formed in the pacific oyster. When foreign protein film was inserted into pearl oyster and pacific oyster respectively, it could be considered that newly observed matrix protein layer, prismatic layer and the abnormal prismatic layer were generated for protection of each shellfish. Further investigations were required for the purpose of this study.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Novel genes participating in the formation of prismatic and nacreous layers in the pearl oyster as revealed by their tissue distribution and RNA interference knockdown (2014)
  • Author(s): Funabara, D., Ohmori, F., Kinoshita, S., Koyama, H., Mizutani, S., Ota, A., Osakabe, Y., Nagai, K., Maeyama, K., Okamoto, K., Kanoh, S., Asakawa, S., Watabe, S.
  • Journal Title: PLOS ONE
  • DOI: 10.1371
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Presentation] アコヤガイ貝殻の有機マトリックスタンパク質のヒト表皮細胞に対する影響 (2013)
  • Author(s): 金紫菊,服部文弘,前山薫,舩原大輔,加納哲
  • Organizer: 平成25年度日本水産学会秋季大会
  • Place of Presentation: 三重大学.津
  • Year and Date: 2013-09-20
• [Book] Novel nacreous layer formation-related genes in the pearl oyster identified by RNA interference. In Recent Advances in Pearl Research.,(Eds., S. Watabe, K. Maeyama, H. Nagasawa) (2013)
  • Author(s): Funabara, D., Mizutani, S., Ota, A., Osakabe, Y., Kinoshita, S., Ohmori, F., Nagai, K., Maeyama, K., Kanoh, S., Watabe, S.
  • Total Pages: 276(77-92)
  • Publisher: TERRAPUB