Summary
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1.
The composition of the inner hinge ligament of the marine bivalve mollusc,Spisula solidissima, is calcium carbonate embedded in a hydrated protein matrix. X-ray diffraction analysis of the decalcified matrix suggests a β-protein configuration.
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2.
Amino acid analysis indicates more than 62% of the residues are glycine.
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3.
Electron microscopic, X-ray diffraction and polarized light data show the calcium carbonate phase to be single crystals of aragonite, about 1,000 angstroms in diameter, and several thousand angstroms in length. The crystals are oriented with the crystallographic c-axis normal to the visible growth lamellae. The crystallographic a- and b-axes are in random orientation.
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This research sponsored in part by grants in aid from the Moody Foundation (70-115) and the U.S. Public Health Service (AM 18582)
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Kahler, G.A., Sass, R.L. & Fisher, F.M. The fine structure and crystallography of the hinge ligament ofSpisula solidissima (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Mactridae). J Comp Physiol B 109, 209–220 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00689419
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00689419