Specification of hemocyte subpopulations based on immune-related activities and the production of the agglutinin MkC1qDC in the bivalve .

Bivalves, such as are used as indicator organisms to monitor the state of the marine environment. Even though hemocytes are known to play a key role in the adaptive and protective mechanisms of bivalves, these cells are poorly studied in horse-mussel . In this paper, we present classification of horse-mussel hemocytes based on their immune functions, including the production of specific immune-related molecules, as well as their morphological composition after isolation by density gradient centrifugation.

Hemocytes of Yesso scallop characterized by cytological, molecular marker, and functional analyses.

Bivalve hemocytes have pivotal role as cellular biodefense. However, no information is available for cytological parameters, marker gene and function of the hemocytes in Yesso scallop, a commercially important aquaculture species worldwide. Due to their extremely strong cell aggregation ability, the scallop hemocytes were not able to assess as a single cell so far.

Gonadal somatic cell-specific transforming growth factor-β superfamily member in the Yesso scallop reveals gonadal somatic cell distribution during the reproductive phase.

The objective of this study was to identify the gonadal somatic cells in the Yesso scallop using a novel molecular marker. This study is the first to identify the bone morphogenetic protein 2a (Bmp2a) gene as a gonadal somatic cell-specific gene in this bivalve. We performed a transcriptomic survey to identify the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) superfamily members that act in Yesso scallop gonad development.