An intracrystalline chromoprotein from red brachiopod shells: implications for the process of biomineralization

Cusack, M. , Curry, G.B., Walton, D.I., Clegg, H., Abbott, G. and Armstrong, H.A. (1992) An intracrystalline chromoprotein from red brachiopod shells: implications for the process of biomineralization. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part B: Comparative Biochemistry, 102(1), pp. 93-95. (doi: 10.1016/0305-0491(92)90278-Y)

Abstract

1. 1. The red colour of some terebratulid brachiopod shells is caused by a small chromoprotein that occurs within the calcium carbonate matrix of the shell. 2. 2. This carotenoid-protein complex was isolated from within the calcite shell of three different brachiopod genera and may therefore be involved in the process of biomineralization. 3. 3. The apparent molecular weight of this protein, as judged by SDS-PAGE, is 6.5 kDa. 4. 4. The partial N-terminal amino acid sequence of the protein is virtually identical in three different brachipod genera, indicating homology. 5. 5. Two carotenoids are present in Terebratella sanguinea: canthaxanthin and the tentatively identified monoacetylinic analogue of astaxanthin

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cusack, Professor Maggie and Curry, Professor Gordon
• Authors: Cusack, M., Curry, G.B., Walton, D.I., Clegg, H., Abbott, G., and Armstrong, H.A.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences > Earth Sciences
• Journal Name: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part B: Comparative Biochemistry
• Publisher: ScienceDirect (Elsevier)
• ISSN: 096-4959
• ISSN (Online): 1879-1107
• Published Online: 19 December 2002