Lipoproteins and heat shock proteins as measures of reproductive physiology in the soft shell clam, Mya arenaria
Citable URI
https://hdl.handle.net/1912/5728Location
New Bedford HarborCotuit Bay
Little Buttermilk Bay
DOI
10.1575/1912/5728Keyword
Clams; Mya arenariaAbstract
Reproduction is an important physiological process in
marine bivalve molluscs. Experiments were designed to examine
the role of lipoproteins and heat shock proteins in normal
physiological processes of the soft shell clam, Mya arenaria,
including reproduction.
The distribution of 14c triolein, an injected lipid
tracer, occurred rapidly and was unaffected by the early
stages of the disease hematopoietic neoplasia. These results,
in combination with other evidence, provide support for the
hypothesis that plasma is the primary conduit for lipid
transport in the soft shell clam. A very high density
lipoprotein (VHDL) was isolated from clam plasma. The
association of only small amounts of the lipid tracer with the
VHDL suggest that it may not play a large role in lipid
transport. The lack of information on the turnover rate of
the lipoprotein, however, makes this result uncertain.
Additionally, the expression of the heat shock protein 70
family was measured in the gill and gonad of clams from
severely (New Bedford Harbor), moderately (Cotuit Bay), and
negligibly (Little Buttermilk Bay) contaminated natural
populations. Site differences in hsp 70 expression were
observed only in the gill of clams from the New Bedford Harbor
population, suggesting that a threshold exists for the
induction of the stress response. Effects of the reproductive
cycle, however, were observed in both gill and gonad tissues.
In New Bedford Harbor, the stress associated with the later
stages of the reproductive cycle (ripe, spawning, and spent)
appears to interact synergistically with the contaminant
effect. The interpretation of a stress response associated
with exposure to environmental contaminants, therefore, must
include a careful consideration of the effect of natural
physiological processes, including reproduction, on the
expression of hsp 70.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution June 1996
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Suggested Citation
Thesis: Clayton, Maureen E., "Lipoproteins and heat shock proteins as measures of reproductive physiology in the soft shell clam, Mya arenaria", 1996-06, DOI:10.1575/1912/5728, https://hdl.handle.net/1912/5728Related items
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