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Characterization Of Soluble Matrix From Molluscan Shell With An Emphasis On Two Major Phosphoproteins From The Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea Virginica, Mary Johnstone

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The soluble organic matrix (SM) extracted from the shell of the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica was analyzed to identify the constituent proteins and their structures. Two acidic proteins with estimated molecular weights of 48 and 55 kD were isolated and determined to have highly related structures. Both proteins are comprised primarily of aspartate, serine, and glycine which represent nearly 90% of the total amino acids. Studies indicate that both proteins are phosphorylated and have estimated isoelectric points in the range of 3 to 5. Evidence suggests that poly-aspartate and poly-serine domains are present in the 48 kD protein. Amino terminal …