3,4-DIHYDROXYPHENYLALANINE (DOPA) AND SCLEROTIZATION OF PERIOSTRACUM INMYTILUS EDULISL

Abstract

1. The periostracum of Mytilus edulis is a highly sclerotized protein structure as demonstrated by its low solubility in 13 M formic acid. 2. The concentration of DOPA in periostracal hydrolysates is not uniformly distributed, but varies directly with protein solubility and logarithmically with the approximate age of the material. 3. The results suggest that the disappearance of DOPA is linked to the sclerotization of periostracum, probably by way of quinone-tanning; tyrosine does not appear to participate in sclerotization. 4. Sclerotization of DOPA-protein in Mytilus periostracum is compared to a similar process in the exoskeleton of the locust, Schistocerca gregaria.