Analysis of ferritin-type proteins in the hepatopancreas of Baltic blue mussel (Mytilus trossulus)

The Polish analysis of ferritin-type proteins in a dominant species of the southern Baltic zoobenthos, the blue mussel Mytilus trossulus is concerned. Proteins were isolated by precipitation from homogenised mussel hepatopancreases. The protein samples were heated (70 degree C) and acidified (pH 4.5). Then the proteins with a molecular weight close to that of plant ferritin were separated by ultracentrifugation. These preparations were compared using capillary electrophoresis with plant ferritins isolated from lupine ( Lupinus lutens ) and amaranth (Amaranthus hybridus). The electrophoregrams obtained revealed that the hepatopancreas of the Baltic blue mussel (M.trossulus) contains a protein displaying the properties of plant ferritin.