Rotational echo double resonance detection of cross-links formed in mussel byssus under high-flow stress.
13C2H rotational echo double resonance NMR has been used to provide the first evidence for the formation of quinone-derived cross-links in mussel byssal plaques. Labeling of byssus was achieved by allowing mussels to filter feed from seawater containing L-[phenol-4-13C]tyrosine and L-[ring-d4]tyrosine for 2 days. Plaques and threads were harvested from two groups of mussels over a period of 28 days. One group was maintained in stationary water while the other was exposed to turbulent flow at 20 cm/s. The flow-stressed byssal plaques exhibited significantly enhanced levels of 5, 5'-di-dihydroxyphenylalanine cross-links. The average concentration of di-dihydroxyphenylalanine cross-links in byssal plaques is 1 per 1800 total protein amino acid residues.
McDowell
L M
LM
Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA.
Burzio
L A
LA
Waite
J H
JH
Schaefer
J
J
D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000737:chemistry*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D019906:Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular / Q000379:methods*; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000737:chemistry
D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D014443:Tyrosine