Dynamic bio-interface between mussel tissue and byssus plays important role in quick release

Dynamic bio-interface between mussel tissue and byssus plays important role in quick release
Dynamic bio-interface between mussel tissue and byssus found to play an important role in quick release
Light microscopy image of a histologically stained section of the stem root in which thin wavy sheets of the non-living stem root surrounding by cilia (red) can been seen embedded in the living tissue of the generator (light blue). Credit: Jenaes Sivasundarampillai

Researchers at McGill University in collaboration with an associate from Charité-Universitätsmedizin in Germany have unearthed aspects of the mechanism mussels utilize for adhering to and detaching from rocks swiftly when necessary.

In their investigation, published in the journal Science, the scientists examined the juncture between mussel tissue and the fibril aggregates mussels deploy to secure themselves to rocks and other structures. Researchers Guoqing Pan and Bin Li, affiliated with Jiangsu University and Soochow University in China, have contributed a Perspective piece in the same edition of the journal, highlighting the findings from this novel study.

Mussels, a type of bivalve mollusk existing in both marine and freshwater settings, possess shells hinged together by ligaments and can tightly seal their shells through muscular contractions. They employ byssus threads, colloquially known as a beard, to latch onto solid surfaces such as rocks.






3D reconstruction of micro-computed tomography (μCT) dataset. This movie was generated from the reconstruction of a μCT dataset acquired from a f stem root stained embedded in the living tissue. Initially, the generator and septa tissues are visualized in grayscale, while the stem root lamellae are visualized in light blue. As it delves from the external stem region into the stem root, the intricate interweaving of the septae and lamellae is apparent. As the movie progresses, the generator tissue is excised from the model to more distinctively reveal the elaborate configuration of the wavy lamellar sheets. Credit: Jenaes Sivasundarampillai

Due to their novel ability to link nonliving substances (the filaments constituting the threads) with living tissue and to sever this link as desired, mussel byssus has been the subject of intensive investigation. However, as Pan and Li highlight, much of this scrutiny has centered on potential chemical bond mechanisms. This current inquiry pivots attention towards the live dynamics at the bio-interface.

In their pursuit of comprehending how byssus threads fuse with living tissue and the manner in which they can be ejected when required, the research team utilized a diverse array of technological modalities to probe the connections and tissues involved. Employing different imaging techniques coupled with spectroscopy, the team noted that the fibres’ ends interweaved with living tissue strata, which in turn were endowed with an approximate density of 6 billion motile cilia.

Reconstructed features in 3D from a FIB-SEM image stack made from a small region in the stem root. Living tissue in dark blue, non-living stem root sheet in light blue, secretory vesicles in teal, cilia in red. Credit: Jenaes Sivasundarampillai

They further ascertained that the abundance of cilia allowed for an extensive area of contact, enabling the mechanical interlacing of the two divergent materials. The scientists also observed that the oscillations of the cilia both augmented the anchoring strength between the materials and permitted a hasty detachment when necessary. They discovered that the motion of the cilia was propelled by neurotransmitters, which leads the researchers to postulate that serotonin and dopamine are ultimately responsible for their control.

Further details:
Jenaes Sivasundarampillai et al, A briskly detachable bio-interface in mussels mediated by serotonergic cilia-based adherence, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.adi7401

Guoqing Pan et al, An active bio-interface modulates mussel attachment, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.adl2002

© 2023 Science X Network

Reference:
A Swift Detachment Mechanism Is Crucially Supported by the Fluid Bio-Interface Between Mussel Organisms and their Byssus (2023, November 25)
obtained 25 November 2023
from https://phys.org/news/2023-11-dynamic-bio-interface-mussel-tissue-byssus.html

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