Synthesis and degradation of chitin in Riftia pachyptila
Ravaux, J. (1997). Synthesis and degradation of chitin in Riftia pachyptila, in: Biologie des sources hydrothermales profondes = Biology of deep-sea hydrothermal vents: Journées d'échanges du Programme DORSALES = DORSALES Workshop Roscoff 6-8 octobre 1997. Cahiers de Biologie Marine, 38(2): pp. 137 In: (1997). Biologie des sources hydrothermales profondes = Biology of deep-sea hydrothermal vents: Journées d'échanges du Programme DORSALES = DORSALES Workshop Roscoff 6-8 octobre 1997. Cahiers de Biologie Marine, 38(2)[s.n.][s.l.]. 111-149 pp., more In: Cahiers de Biologie Marine. Station Biologique de Roscoff: Paris. ISSN 0007-9723; e-ISSN 2262-3094, more |  |
| Abstract | Riftia pachyptila is a giant tubeworm endemic to hydrothermal vents. The tube has a skeletal and protective function. It is made of chitin associated with proteins, and chitin was chosen as a marker to follow the tube secretion steps. Tube formation mechanisms were partially elucidated recently and imply the intervention of specialized structures. The aim of the present study was to evidence and characterize the chitin synthase and chitinolytic activities in Riftia pachyptila. We showed an enzymatic activity functioning with UDP-GlcNAc as a substrate, and a chitinolytic activity in tissues. Preliminary Western Blot analysis was carried out on tissue extracts with different antibodies, one against chitin synthase from Absidia glauca, and the other against DG-42. These antibodies detected, in secreting tissues, a band of ca. 100 kDa and another one of ca. 60 kDa. These proteins were not found in non secreting tissues. |
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