Seasonal variations in the anaerobic metabolism of the mussel Mytilus edulis (L.)

• 1.1. The incorporation of atmospheric ¹⁴CO₂ into the ethanol soluble metabolites of the tissues of the mussel, Mytilus edulis, exposed to the atmosphere, was measured monthly between July 1976 and June 1977.
• 2.2. The total incorporation of ¹⁴CO₂ was found to be greater in the summer than in the winter and these seasonal effects were not temperature-dependent.
• 3.3. The incorporation of ¹⁴CO₂ into the individual metabolites is discussed in relation to possible seasonal variations in the operation of the anaerobic succinate pathway and seasonal variations of tissue glycogen concentrations.

     

Organ specific changes in energy metabolism due to anaerobiosis in the sea mussel Mytilus edulis (L.)

• 1.1. Anaerobic energy metabolism was investigated in different organs of Mytilus edulis and the whole animal.
• 2.2. Succinate accumulates to high levels in most organs but remains low in the hemolymph.
• 3.3. After 16 hours propionate accumulation is observed in all organs. Experimental evidence is not sufficient yet to point out organs that produce more propionate than others.
• 4.4. Acetate is a minor end product.
• 5.5. Acetate and propionate are found in the hemolymph in amounts equal to those in the organs.
• 6.6. Animals incubated in oxygen-free seawater accumulate more end products than animals exposed to air, in the form of volatile fatty acids that are excreted into the incubation water.
• 7.7. Alanine and glutamine increase in the posterior adductor muscle. Aspartate decreases in the total animal, posterior adductor muscle and gills, while in the hemolymph decrease in alanine, asparagine, serine, threonine and proline are observed.

     

Short-term impact of blue mussel dredging (Mytilus edulis L.) on a benthic community

The short-term effect of mussel dredging in a brackish Danish sound was studied. A commercial dredging track was identified and an analysis of the species composition inside the track and at an adjacent control area showed that dredging changed the community structure by reducing the density of polychaetes. In order to investigate the extent and the duration of the dredging impact experimental dredging was conducted. The experimental dredging removed 50% of the mussels in two dredged areas. Immediately after dredging, a significantly lower number of species was measured inside the mussel beds in dredged areas compared to control and boundary areas. This effect lasted for at least 40 days. The analysis of the species composition showed that the dredged area had a significantly lower density, particularly of polychaetes compared to the boundary area. An increased number of species was recorded outside the mussel beds just after dredging, but this effect lasted for less than 7 days. After dredging, brown shrimps, C. crangon invaded the dredged areas. This species is an important predator of smaller invertebrates, and it is suspected that it was feeding on small vulnerable polychaetes exposed at the sediment surface after dredging. The dredging process was observed to form 2–5-cm deep furrows in the seabed, but the sediment texture and the organic content of the sediment was not affected. The biomass accumulation of individual blue mussels was significantly lower in the dredged area compared to the boundary area. This indicates that the disturbance of the mussel bed structure reduced growth and that the lowering of intraspecific food competition caused by a reduced density of mussels did not increase the accumulation of biomass in the mussels which remained in the dredged area.     

Effects of PCB 126 and cadmium on the anaerobic metabolism of the mussel Mytilus edulis L.

Exposure of mussels to PCB 126 and/or cadmium resulted in elevated anaerobic metabolic activity during 48 hr of aerial exposure. In mussels exposed to PCB 126 or cadmium this was achieved by an increased opine production. The largest increase was observed in PCB exposed mussels. In mussels that were exposed to PCB 126 and cadmium simultaneously the production of both succinate and opines had increased. Simultaneous exposure to PCB 126 and cadmium had a more negative effect on the aerial survival time than exposure to PCB 126 alone, whereas exposure to cadmium alone did not have a significant effect on the tolerance to aerial exposure.     

Age-dependence of metabolism in mussels Mytilus edulis (L.) from the White Sea

Age structure, natural mortality and growth, as well as age- and size-dependent changes in parameters of energy metabolism were studied in blue mussels Mytilus edulis (L.) from the White Sea. Mussels were sampled in August (Summer sample, SS) and October (Autumn sample, AS) and contained animals of three size groups, 2-9 years old. Field data showed an increase of mortality of mussels and strong decrease in growth rates after 6 years of age. Absolute tissue growth increment (AI) reconstructed from winter growth marks on the shells decreased with age and was strongly size-dependent, while relative tissue growth increment (RI) did not depend on size of the animals. Respiration rates and citrate synthase activity demonstrated power regression versus tissue weight with regression coefficients -0.231 and -0.170, respectively. After weight correction both parameters showed a decrease with increasing age. ATP and phosphagen levels also showed a pronounced decrease in animals older than 5-6 years despite considerable differences in the absolute values of both parameters in SS and AS. pH(i) in mussels was also age-dependent and decreased with increasing age after 5 years. In air exposed mussels, pH(i) was reduced only at young age such that pH(i) was low and constant within the whole age range. Our data give evidence that aerobic metabolic rate in M. edulis from the studied population declines when animals reach an age of about 6 years. The decrease in oxygen consumption reflects the drop in mitochondrial respiration, which is mirrored by the decrease in CS activity. A concomitant fall in ATP turnover may include a downregulation of the mechanisms of acid-base regulation. pH(i) will then approach equilibrium indicated by lower pH(i) values in older animals. Our data suggest that intrapopulational comparisons of physiological parameters in mussels should take into account age composition of compared samples.     

Proteome modifications of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) gills as an effect of water pollution

The discharge of chemicals such as oil associated or not with derived products constitutes a real threat for the environment. We report here the differential expression of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) gill proteins corresponding to two contaminated environmental conditions: crude oil and offshore produced water. In order to evaluate and understand contaminants, effects and adaptive response of these organisms, we identified proteins using MS. The latter can be grouped into three main classes: proteins involved in the cellular structure, in metabolism, and in defence proteins.     

Pyruvate kinase in mussel foot (Mytilus edulis L.). Purification and general properties

The specific activity of pyruvate kinase in mussel foot is markedly higher than that from mantle and digestive gland. The foot enzyme shows maximum pH activity in the range between 7.0 and 7.5 and is stable (15 min, 37 degrees C) at pH values between 7.0 and 9.0. The activation energy value is 23 kJ/mol with a Q10 coefficient of 1.4. All of these experiments were carried out using partially purified extracts with (NH4)2SO4 treatment (30-60%) and posterior dialysis with EDTA 1.2 mM. No isoenzymatic forms could be detected using the column chromatography techniques with Sephadex G-150, DEAE Sephadex A-50 and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.     

Biodeposit production by the mussel Mytilus edulis L. on rocky shores

Seasonal changes in the amount of biodeposit (faeces and pseudofaeces) produced by the mussel Mytilus edulis L., which is one of the representative suspension-feeders in the rocky intertidal and shallow subtidal regions of Mutsu Bay, were studied in the laboratory. The effects of water temperature, light, food concentration, flow rate, body size, age, and spawning on biodeposit production were investigated. More biodeposit was produced in summer than in other seasons. Throughout the year, the amount of biodeposit was positively correlated with body size. Relatively more biodeposit was produced by smaller than by larger individuals. A M. edulis population living in one square meter was estimated to produce 9.20 kg of faeces and 2.71 kg of pseudofaeces per year (dry wt). More biodeposit was produced at water temperatures of 17.6–20.2° C than at 4.5–7.6° C and 25.2–26.0° C. The optimum temperature for biodeposit production was found to be ≈ 20.0 °C. When kept in the dark, M. edulis produced more biodeposit than in the light. When food concentration is increased, more psuedofaeces are produced; the amount of faeces, however, remains constant. With increasing flow rate, the amount o f biodeposit per h increased but the biodeposition rate decreased. Larger amounts of faeces and smaller amounts of pseudofaeces were produced by younger mussels than by older ones of a similar size. Spawning also affected biodeposit production.     

Subtidal and intertidal mussel beds (Mytilus edulis L.) in the Wadden Sea: diversity differences of associated epifauna

In 1997 and 1998, surveys were performed to compare species composition, abundance and diversity of non-attached epifauna (>1 mm) in low intertidal and adjacent shallow subtidal zones of three mussel beds (Mytilus edulis L.) near the island of Sylt in the North Sea. The community structure was similar when compared within tidal zones: no significant differences in species numbers and abundances were recorded between locations and between years. A comparison between tidal zones, however, revealed higher diversity, species densities and total species numbers in the subtidal (per 1,000 cm²: H ′=2.0±0.16; 12 ±1 species density; 22 species) than the intertidal zone (per 1,000 cm²: H ′=0.7±0.27; 6±2 species density; 19 species). Abundances significantly dropped with increasing submergence from 2,052 (±468) m^–2 to 1,184 (±475) m^–2. This was mainly due to significantly higher densities of both juvenile periwinkles, Littorina littorea, and crabs, Carcinus maenas, in intertidal mussel beds. However, many less dominant species were significantly more abundant in subtidal mussel beds. This study revealed that in the non-attached epifaunal community of mussel beds the tidal level effect within metres was strong, whilst the spatial variability in a much wider (kilometre) range but the same tidal level was negligible. The high epifaunal diversity in the subtidal zone suggests that the protective measures for mussel beds against the effects of mussel fishery should be extended from the intertidal to the subtidal zone, if the integrity of the mussel bed community in the Wadden Sea National Park is to be maintained. Electronic Publication     

Characterization of two molecular weight classes of cadmium binding proteins from the mussel, Mytilus edulis (L.)

Inducible cadmium binding proteins (Cd-BP) in the mussel, Mytilus edulis, were resolved into two molecular weight components by gel permeation chromatography on Sephadex G-75. Each of these two molecular weight components was further resolved into four subcomponents by DEAE ion exchange chromatography. All eight subcomponents bound cadmium and exhibited significant u.v. absorption at 254 and little absorption at 280 nm. Based on amino acid composition analysis two classes of proteins were identified, one having higher cysteine (approximately 25 mole %) and lower serine and glutamic acid contents compared to the other class.     

Nuclear and cytosolic distribution of metallothionein in the blue mussel Mytilus edulis L

Four tissues from the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis L., were examined for the presence of nuclear metallothionein (MT), and the nuclear:cytosolic (N:C) MT ratios and nuclear MT:DNA ratios investigated. Gill, digestive gland, gonad and posterior adductor muscle tissues were dissected, homogenized and subjected to differential centrifugation in order to isolate the nuclear and cytosolic fractions, which were then analyzed for MT and DNA. MT was present in all samples of the nuclear fractions from all four tissues. The nuclear MT concentration was either lower or the same as the cytosolic MT concentration from the same tissue. The mean N:C MT ratio of the digestive gland was significantly lower than that of the gill. The mean nuclear MT:DNA ratio of the digestive gland was significantly higher than that of the gill and posterior adductor muscle. In addition to being the first report of nuclear MT in bivalves, we showed that N:C MT ratios and nuclear MT:DNA ratios differ among tissues of the same organism. This raises important questions concerning the regulation of nuclear MT concentrations and the role of nuclear MT in metal regulation and DNA protection.     

Multiple invertebrate lysozymes in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis)

Initial analyses of lysozyme activities in individual blue mussels Mytilus edulis indicated variations in features of activity from the crystalline style to the remaining body parts (the soft body). Two separate larger scale lysozyme isolations were performed employing extracts from 1000 styles and 50 soft bodies, respectively. The soft body origin contained one, or one major, lysozyme that was purified to homogeneity. This 13 kDa protein, designated bm-lysozyme, was sequence-analysed and found to represent the product of a recently published invertebrate-type lysozyme gene from M. edulis. Three additional lysozymes were isolated from the style extract and one of them was fully purified. All four lysozymes showed different profiles of enzymatic features such as responses to pH, ionic strengths and divalent cations. From the results and the profound differences demonstrated we believe that the observed multiple forms of lysozyme activities in blue mussel reflect multiple genes instead of individual lysozyme variants and that the lysozymes serve different functions in the blue mussel.     

Growth and longevity of Mytilus edulis (L.) from northeast Europe

The growth of mussels, Mytilus edulis (L.), was studied in most of the northeastern part of their distribution. The growth, longevity and maximal size of molluscs from 24 wild populations and one cultured population located in the White Sea and the southeast part of the Barents Sea were compared. The 25 studied populations were combined in six clusters. The maximal longevity and the size of the mussels varied between 7 and 18 years and 25.5 and 77.7 mm, respectively. The geographical location of the population within the studied region did not affect either maximal longevity or maximal size, or the growth rate of mussels. However, these parameters were influenced by local habitat conditions, primarily connected with the position within intertidal and subtidal zones. Animals inhabiting the intertidal zone were characterized by relatively low growth performance, a short life span and a small size. The longest life span was typical for deep subtidal mussels, whereas the highest growth rate was recorded in the cultured population and in the upper subtidal habitats. Growth patterns of Mytilus edulis in the subarctic White and the Arctic southeast Barents seas are similar to those reported from other parts of the area of distribution. Therefore, growth was mostly determined by local environmental factors, including those related to vertical zonation, rather than by latitude/longitude and related temperature effects.     

Pharmacological induction of larval settlement and metamorphosis in the blue mussel Mytilus edulis L

The blue mussel Mytilus edulis L. is an important aquaculture and fouling species in northern seas. Although the general role of chemical cues for settlement of larvae of the blue mussel has been proposed, few studies have focused on induction of settlement and metamorphosis by pharmacological agents. In this study, the induction of larval settlement of the blue mussel by pharmacological compounds was investigated through a series of laboratory experiments with an aim of identifying artificial cues for laboratory bioassay systems in fouling and antifouling research. Gamma-aminobutiric acid (GABA), dihydroxyphenyl L-alanine (DOPA), isobutyl methylxanthine (IBMX) and acetylcholine chloride (ACH) at 10(-7)-10(-2) M as well as KCl at 10-40 mM K+ in excess of the level in normal seawater were tested for their inductive effect on larval settlement. In filtered seawater (FSW) < 9% of the larvae settled after 48 h. Elevated K+ and GABA levels had no effect on larval settlement and metamorphosis. DOPA at 10(-5) M and IBMX at 10(-6)-10(-4) M induced 41-83% larval settlement and ACH at 10(-7)-10(-5) M induced < 40% larval settlement. While the highest settlement rates were observed after 48 h exposure to the chemical, most of the larvae settled within 24 h. Compounds at concentrations of 10(-3)-10(-2) M were either toxic to larvae or retarded the growth of the post-larvae shell. Juveniles resulting from induction by lower concentrations of chemicals had a very high survival rate, completed metamorphosis and grew as well as the juveniles that metamorphosed spontaneously. IBMX at 10(-6)-10(-4) M and L-DOPA at 10(-5) M are effective agents for induction of settlement and metamorphosis for future studies using juvenile M. edulis.