The mining of pearl formation genes in pearl oyster Pinctada fucata by cDNA suppression subtractive hybridization.

Recent researches revealed the regional preference of biomineralization gene transcription in the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata: it transcribed mainly the genes responsible for nacre secretion in mantle pallial, whereas the ones regulating calcite shells expressed in mantle edge. This study took use of this character and constructed the forward and reverse suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) cDNA libraries. A total of 669 cDNA clones were sequenced and 360 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) greater than 100 bp were generated.

Quantitative expression analysis of nacreous shell matrix protein genes in the process of pearl biogenesis.

A cultured pearl is produced in a pearl sac which forms layers of cells differentiated from an allograft mantle. Previous investigations claimed that genomic DNAs from grafting tissues were persistent during pearl aquaculture. However, the specific living status of the genes regulating pearl formation has remained unknown.