Identification of nacre matrix protein genes hic14 and hic19 and their roles in crystal growth and pearl formation in the mussel Hyriopsis cumingii.

Biological mineralization is a highly programmed process in which inorganic minerals reassociate under the strict control of the extracellular matrix to form minerals with special functions and patterns. Shells are biominerals, and their synthesis is finely regulated by organic matrix including matrix proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, pigments, free amino acids, and small peptides. In this study, two matrix protein genes, hic14 and hic19, were isolated from the mantle of the mussel Hyriopsis cumingii.