The presence of GABA in gastropod mucus and its role in inducing larval settlement

Praphaporn Laimek; Shona Clark; Michael Stewart; Fred Pfeffer; Chaitip Wanichanon; Peter Hanna; Prasert Sobhon

doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2007.11.003

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The presence of GABA in gastropod mucus and its role in inducing larval settlement

Journal article

Peer reviewed

The presence of GABA in gastropod mucus and its role in inducing larval settlement

Praphaporn Laimek, Shona Clark, Michael Stewart, Fred Pfeffer, Chaitip Wanichanon, Peter Hanna and Prasert Sobhon

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Vol.354(2), pp.182-191

2008

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2007.11.003

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Abstract

Abalone

GABA

Gastropod

Haliotis

HPLC

Immunohistochemistry

Larval settlement

Mucus

TOF-MS

Chemical substances that induce larval settlement have been the focus of many gastropod studies due to the importance of wild stock recruitment and production within aquaculture facilities. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), GABA analogs, and GABA-mimetics associated with certain crustose coralline algae (CCA), are known to induce larval settlement in commercial abalone (Haliotis) species, and other gastropods. Furthermore, mucus secreted from these gastropods has been shown to induce larval settlement, but the stimulatory components of mucus have not been thoroughly investigated. We now present data confirming that GABA is the settlement-inducing effector molecule contained within abalone mucus. To do this, we initially generated anti-GABA for use in immunoenzyme and immunofluorescent microscopy. Using these techniques GABA was identified in the nerves and epithelial cells of the foot, including mucus. Dried mucus samples subject to HPLC analysis revealed a mean concentration of 0.68 mM GABA after sample rehydration. The presence of GABA in these samples was confirmed by time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (TOF-MS). In addition, GABA was detected in the mucus of several abalone species and other gastropods by immunocytochemistry. Subsequent bioassays using both dry and fresh mucus strongly promoted induction of larval settlement.

Details

Title: The presence of GABA in gastropod mucus and its role in inducing larval settlement
Authors: Praphaporn Laimek (Author) - Mahidol University
Shona Clark (Author) - School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3217, Australia
Michael Stewart (Author) - BioDeakin and School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3217, Australia
Fred Pfeffer (Author) - Deakin University
Chaitip Wanichanon (Author) - Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Peter Hanna (Author) - School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3217, Australia
Prasert Sobhon (Corresponding Author) - Mahidol University
Publication details: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Vol.354(2), pp.182-191
Publisher: Elsevier BV
DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2007.11.003
ISSN: 1879-1697
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99679198202621
Output Type: Journal article

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28 Times Cited - Web of Science

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Ecology; Marine & Freshwater Biology

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