Myogenic differentiation of Mytilus larval cells in vitro

A myogenic differentiation program can be realized during the cultivation of Mytilus trossulus cells derived from larvae in premyogenic developmental stages. About 10-15% of cells in such cultures showed that they are capable of contracting actively. The shape of such cells and the high concentration of actin microfilaments indicate a similarity with smooth muscle cells. However, the pattern of contractile activity and the protein composition of these cells differ significantly from the corresponding characteristics of differentiated smooth muscle cells. The proportion between the main proteins of the thick fiber, paramyosin, and myosin in cultivated cells is far lower than in the muscles of larvae or adult molluscs. We also found that substrates with different adhesional characteristics may determine cell development towards one or the other phenotype. Cells attached to the collagen substrate, but not spread on it, had high proliferative potential; the collagen substrate, however, inhibited myogenic differentiation.