Academic literature on the topic 'Crassostrea (Magallana) gigas'

Oysters contain significant amounts of the zinc element, which may also be found in their proteins. In this study, a novel zinc-binding protein was purified from the mantle of the oyster Magallana hongkongensis using two kinds of gel filtration chromatograms. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that its molecular weight was approximately 36 kDa. The protein identified by the Q-Exactive mass spectrometer shared the highest sequence identity with carbonic anhydrase derived from Crassostrea gigas concerning amino acid sequence similarity. Based on homologous cloning and RACE PCR, the full-length cDNA of carbonic anhydrase from Magallana hongkongensis (designated as MhCA) was cloned and sequenced. The cDNA of MhCA encodes a 315-amino-acid protein with 89.74% homology to carbonic anhydrase derived from Crassostrea gigas. Molecular docking revealed that the two zinc ions primarily form coordination bonds with histidine residues in the MhCA protein. These results strongly suggest that MhCA is a novel zinc-binding protein in Magallana hongkongensis.

Introduction and establishment of non-indigenous species (NIS) has been accelerated on a global scale by climate change. NIS Magallana gigas’ (formerly Crassostrea gigas’) global spread over the past several decades has been linked to warming waters, specifically during summer months, raising the specter of more spread due to predicted warming. We tracked changes in density and size distribution of M. gigas in two southern California, USA bays over the decade spanning 2010–2020 using randomly placed quadrats across multiple intertidal habitats (e.g., cobble, seawalls, riprap) and documented density increases by 2.2 to 32.8 times at 7 of the 8 sites surveyed across the two bays. These increases in density were coincident with 2–4° C increases in median monthly seawater temperature during summer months, consistent with global spread of M. gigas elsewhere. Size frequency distribution data, with all size classes represented across sites, suggest now-regular recruitment of M. gigas. Our data provide a baseline against which to compare future changes in density and abundance of a globally-spread NIS of significant concern.

The shell biosynthesis of oysters plays a critical role in protection against environmental stress, in which cartilage matrix proteins (CMPs) determine the mineralogical and crystallographic properties of the shell. In the present study, a cartilage matrix protein (designated as MgCMP1) was identified from the Pacific oyster Magallana gigas (Crassostrea gigas) with the objective of understanding its possible role in shell formation. The open reading frame (ORF) of MgCMP1 was 1815 bp, encoding a polypeptide of 605 amino acids with two von Willebrand factor (VWA) domains. The mRNA transcript of MgCMP1 was expressed constitutively in all examined tissues with a higher level in the mantle, especially highest in the middle fold (MF) of the three folds of the mantle. In addition, the interaction between recombinant protein MgCMP1 (rMgCMP1) and recombinant protein bone morphogenesis protein 7 (rMgBMP7) was identified in vitro. After injection of dsRNA to inhibit the expression of MgCMP1, the mRNA expression level of Mgcollagen I and Mgcollagen X in the MF of the mantle significantly decreased. After pre-puncturing and acidification treatment (pH 7.8), the thickness and length of the new formation shells were lower than those in control group (pH 8.1), and the positive hybridization signals of the MgCMP1 mRNA transcript in the three mantle folds were obviously weakened, especially in the MF, whereas the mRNA expression level of MgCMP1, Mgcollagen I and Mgcollagen X in the MF of mantle decreased significantly. These results suggested that MgCMP1 was involved in regulating the expression of Mgcollagen I and Mgcollagen X in the MF of the mantle in response to ocean acidification (OA).

Microplastic pollution poses an escalating concern, particularly in coastal lagoons rich in biodiversity. This study delved into the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in Magallana gigas (formerly Crassostrea gigas) from the Orbetello and Varano coastal lagoons (Italy), also investigating the response of these filter-feeding organisms to various colors (P = pink; B = blue; W = white) of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) MP fragments. Oysters were exposed for 7 days under controlled conditions. Subsequently, the oysters underwent analysis for both MP presence and biochemical markers of oxidative stress. Diverse ingestion rates of HDPE were noted among oysters from the two lagoons, eliciting antioxidant responses and modifying baseline activity. The two-way ANOVA revealed the significant effects of treatment (control; HDPE_B; HDPE_P; HDPE_W), site, and the interaction between treatment and site on all biomarkers. Non-metric multidimensional scaling showed a divergent effect of HDPE color on biomarkers. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the influence of MP color, dose-dependent effects, and the long-term impacts of exposure. Comprehending these intricacies is imperative for devising effective strategies to mitigate plastic pollution and safeguard marine health.

AbstractEcological impacts caused by invasive alien species can be severe but may vary depending upon environmental conditions. Many European populations of the native mussel, Mytilus edulis, have been invaded by the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea (Magallana) gigas. Although widespread invasions have occurred, interactions between M. edulis and C. gigas have largely been investigated with regards to competition for space and food as well as effects on species assemblages. Experimental investigation of competitive interactions on physiological responses of the two species requires further exploration. To this end, we used a 12-month field manipulation experiment to examine growth rates, mortality and condition indices of the two species occurring in monospecific and heterospecific groups. Growth rates and mortality of both species were similar in monospecific and heterospecific groups, whereas condition indices were significantly reduced for both species in heterospecific groups. Growth rates and condition indices also differed amongst experimental sites, potentially due to differing water motion. Shell weight-length relationships did not explain the observed differences in condition for either species. We show that coexistence between the two species may occur but could be detrimental for both species. We also provide a preliminary viewpoint that water motion can mediate competitive interactions between these species.

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent marine neurotoxin found in several phylogenetically diverse organisms, some of which are sought as seafood. Since 2015, TTX has been reported in bivalve shellfish from several estuarine locations along the Mediterranean and European Atlantic coasts, posing an emerging food safety concern. Although reports on spatial and temporal distribution have increased in recent years, processes leading to TTX accumulation in European bivalves are yet to be described. Here, we explored the hypothesis that the ribbon worm species Cephalothrix simula, known to contain high levels of TTX, could play a role in the trophic transfer of the toxin into shellfish. During a field study at a single location in southern England, we confirmed C. simula DNA in seawater adjacent to trestle-farmed Pacific oysters Magallana gigas (formerly Crassostrea gigas) with a history of TTX occurrence. C. simula DNA in seawater was significantly higher in June and July during the active phase of toxin accumulation compared to periods of either no or continually decreasing TTX concentrations in M. gigas. In addition, C. simula DNA was detected in oyster digestive glands collected on 15 June 2021, the day with the highest recorded C. simula DNA abundance in seawater. These findings show evidence of a relationship between C. simula and TTX occurrence, providing support for the hypothesis that bivalves may acquire TTX through filter-feeding on microscopic life forms of C. simula present in the water column at particular periods each year. Although further evidence is needed to confirm such feeding activity, this study significantly contributes to discussions about the biological source of TTX in European bivalve shellfish.

Les activités humaines font peser sur l’écosystème marin de multiples pressions délétères. Pollution chimique, changement climatique, risque d’acidification, débris de plastique et déchets radioactifs ont des impacts sans précèdent. Une pollution de plus en plus reconnu comme majeur est la pollution sonore. La prospection sismique, le battage de pieux et le trafic maritime génèrent des niveaux sonores qui peuvent être extrêmement forts, modifiant fondamentalement le paysage acoustique sous-marin. On sait que de nombreux mammifères marins et poissons entendent le bruit généré par ces activités et que cela altère leur physiologie et leur éthologie. Par contre, chez les invertébrés marins très peu d’études avaient évalué leur capacité à entendre et l’impact de cette pollution sur eux reste à déterminer. Nous avons abordé le problème par une étude de la capacité de perception du son chez l'huître creuse Magallana gigas en utilisant une approche comportementale et physiologique. Nous avons montré que M. gigas entend dans la gamme de fréquences entre 10 et 1000 Hz. Cette analyse nous a permis de caractériser les sources de sons qui contribuent à leur environnement auditif. Au laboratoire, dans un milieu contaminé (i) au cadmium, un métal que nous avons considéré à la fois comme une substance toxique et un marqueur indirect de l'activité ventilatoire, et (ii), par des bruits de cargo, nous montrons un effet répresseur du bruit caractérisé par une diminution de l'activité valvaire, de l'activité ventilatoire et du taux de croissance. Nous rapportons également une diminution de la bioaccumulation du Cd dans les branchies et une modulation de l'expression de certains gènes. Nous avons enfin étudié sur un enregistrement de 2 ans dans le port commercial de Santander, le comportement (incluant les pontes et la croissance) de 3 groupes d’huitres exposés à une forte pollution sonore et à une « qualité de l’eau » considérée dans la littérature comme bonne à très bonne pour une masse d’eau fortement modifiée. Nous avons retrouvé dans notre analyse différents effets que nous avions provoqués ou prédits à partir du travail de laboratoire où nous avions manipulé le bruit seul. Nous concluons que la pollution sonore au sein du port doit diminuer le fitness des huîtres en modifiant leur activité valvaire, la hiérarchie de leurs rythmes biologiques et la croissance. Nos résultats suggèrent que la pollution sonore peut avoir des conséquences importantes sur les invertébrés et présente un risque fort en termes de productivité de l'écosystème
Human activities introduce multiple harmful pressures on the marine ecosystem. Chemical pollution, climate change, acidification risk, plastic debris and radioactive wastes have significant effects on marine wildlife. Noise pollution is now recognized as a major source of pollution at sea. Seismic exploration, pile driving and marine traffic, among other activities, generate noise at high sound pressure levels altering the underwater acoustic landscape. Many marine mammals and fish hear the noise generated by these activities which have the potential to alter their physiology and ethology. However, very few studies among marine invertebrates had assessed their ability to hear and the impact of noise pollution on them has yet to be determined. We approached the problem by studying sound perception ability in the pacific oyster Magallana gigas using behavioural and physiological techniques. We have shown that M. gigas is sensitive to sound in the frequency range from 10 to 1000 Hz. This characterization allowed us to define sound sources that contribute to their sound landscape. In the laboratory, in an environment contaminated with (i) cadmium, a metal that we considered to be both a toxic agent and an indirect marker of ventilatory activity, and (ii) cargo ship noise, we showed a depressant or repressant effect of noise characterized by a decrease in valve activity, ventilatory activity and growth rate. We also report a decrease in Cd bioaccumulation and some modulation of gene expression. Finally, we studied a 2-year behavioural record performed in the commercial port of Santander (including spawning events and growth) on 3 groups of oysters exposed to high noise pressure levels. In the port of Santander, the "water quality" is otherwise considered by the literature as good to very good for a heavily modified water body. We found in these records different changes that we previously induced and/or produced in the laboratory. We conclude that the noise pollution load occurring within a commercial port must reduce the fitness of oysters by modifying their valve activity, the hierarchy of their biological rhythms and their growth rate. Our results strongly suggest that noise pollution can have significant consequences on invertebrates and presents a high risk in terms of ecosystem productivity

L'huître du Pacifique, Crassostrea (Magallana) gigas, est un mollusque bivalve d'une importance écologique et économique majeure, et constitue désormais une espèce modèle émergente dans l'étude de l'immunité innée des bivalves. Ces dernières années, les élevages d'huîtres ont été confrontés à des épisodes de mortalités massives, exacerbés par le changement climatique et les activités anthropiques. Ces mortalités, bien que multifactorielles, partagent un point commun : la capacité des pathogènes (virus et bactéries) à échapper aux défenses immunitaires des huîtres, entraînant des septicémies souvent fatales. Alors que chez les vertébrés, et particulièrement l'Homme, les cellules immunitaires sont bien caractérisées, la diversité et la spécialisation fonctionnelle des hémocytes chez C. gigas restent encore une boite noire apprement débattue au sein de la communauté scientifique. Ce manque de connaissances entrave la compréhension des interactions hôte-pathogènes, limitant ainsi le développement de stratégies pour réduire les mortalités en ostréiculture. Dans ce contexte, l'objectif principal de mon projet de thèse a été de caractériser les types hémocytaires circulants de C. gigas, en utilisant des approches cytologiques, fonctionnelles et de transcriptomique sur cellules uniques (scRNA-seq). Ces méthodes ont permis dans un premier temps d'identifier sept types hémocytaires distincts constitutifs chez les animaux naifs. Ces populations hémocytaires ont été caractérisées par leurs propriétés morphologiques, leurs profils d'expression génique et leurs fonctions biologiques spécifiques. De plus, nous avons établi une ontologie des hémocytes, suggérant des voies potentielles de différenciation des lignages cellulaires. Grâce à cet atlas hémocytaire, nous avons alors pu évaluer l'impact différentiel d'une infection par Vibrio aestuarianus sur les populations hémocytaires, à la fois du point de vue cytologique et transcriptomique, révélant des altérations dépendantes de la charge bactérienne circulante. Ces travaux apportent une contribution significative à la compréhension de l'immunité chez C. gigas, en permettant une définition précise des types hémocytaires. Nos résultats proposent un atlas hémocytaire de référence et soulignent l'importance de l'étude de l'homéostasie hémocytaire des mollusques pour mieux comprendre et anticiper les crises ostréicoles lors d'épisodes de mortalité
The Pacific oyster, Crassostrea (Magallana) gigas, is a bivalve mollusk of significant ecological and economic importance, and it has recently emerged as a model species for studying the innate immunity of bivalves. In recent years, oyster farming has been confronted with episodes of massive mortality, exacerbated by climate change and human activities. These mortalities, though multifactorial, share a common factor: the ability of pathogens (viruses and bacteria) to evade the oysters' immune defenses, often leading to fatal septicemia. While immune cells in vertebrates, particularly humans, are well characterized, the diversity and functional specialization of hemocytes in C. gigas remain a black box and are hotly debated within the scientific community. This knowledge gap hampers our understanding of host-pathogen interactions, thus limiting the development of strategies to reduce oyster mortality in aquaculture. In this context, the main objective of my thesis project was to characterize the circulating hemocyte types in C. gigas using cytological, functional, and single-cell transcriptomic approaches (scRNA-seq). These methods first allowed us to identify seven distinct constitutive hemocyte types in naïve animals. These hemocyte populations were characterized based on their morphological properties, gene expression profiles, and specific biological functions. Furthermore, we established a hemocyte ontology, suggesting potential differentiation pathways for the cell lineages. Using this hemocyte atlas, we then assessed the differential impact of Vibrio aestuarianus infection on hemocyte populations, both from a cytological and transcriptomic perspective, revealing alterations dependent on the circulating bacterial load. This work provides a significant contribution to the understanding of immunity in C. gigas, by offering a precise definition of hemocyte types. Our results propose a reference hemocyte atlas and emphasize the importance of studying hemocyte homeostasis in mollusks to better understand and anticipate oyster mortality crises during epizootic episodes