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Specific organic matrix characteristics in skeletons of Corallium species

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Abstract

Corallium species have ecological, cultural and commercial importance and thus require tools to assist with their identification for both management and trade. The organic matrix (OM) of the skeletons of four Corallium species (C. rubrum, C. konojoi, C. secundum and C. elatius) was examined to provide insight into the biomineralization process and to develop a new tool of identification. The pattern of OM and the set of soluble organic matrix proteins (SOM) in the skeletons were examined by gel electrophoresis. Staining of cross-sections of skeletons showed a common cyclic, concentric pattern of OM during growth. Differences in molecular weight and isoelectric point were observed for proteins in the SOM in different Corallium species but not among different populations of Corallium rubrum. Immunolabeling with antibodies against the SOM of C. rubrum showed labeling of the OM of the three other Corallium species suggesting the presence of common epitopes.

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Acknowledgments

This study was conducted, as part of the Centre Scientifique de Monaco research program, supported by the Government of the Principality of Monaco. Julien Debreuil was funded by the Ministère Français de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche (Ecole Doctorale Diversité du Vivant No. 392, Université Pierre et Marie Curie). The authors thank F. Ruggiero for helpful assistance in coral sampling and the RAMOGE Agreement for the Alain Vatrican Award. The authors thank A. Venn for proofreading the English in the manuscript and three anonymous reviewers for their comments that have helped improve the manuscript.

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  1. Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Avenue Saint-Martin, 98000, Monaco, Monaco

    J. Debreuil, S. Tambutté, D. Zoccola, N. Segonds, N. Techer, D. Allemand & É. Tambutté

  2. Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS-UMR 6540 DIMAR, Centre d’Océanologie de Marseille, Station Marine d’Endoume, rue Batterie des Lions, 13007, Marseille, France

    C. Marschal

  3. Institute of Malacology of Tokyo, 6-36, Midoricho 3 chome, Nishi-Tokyo City, Tokyo, 188-0002, Japan

    S. Kosuge

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  1. J. Debreuil
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Debreuil, J., Tambutté, S., Zoccola, D. et al. Specific organic matrix characteristics in skeletons of Corallium species. Mar Biol 158, 2765–2774 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-011-1775-7

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