A novel protein CtCBP-1 functions as a crucial macromolecule during mineralization of limpet teeth

Limpets are a class of marine mollusks that use mineralized teeth, one the hardest and strongest biological materials, to feed on algae rocks. By combining proteomics RNA-seq analysis limpet radula, we identified novel chitin-binding protein (CtCBP-1) may play regulatory role in radula mineralization Cellana toreuma . In this study, full-length cDNA CtCBP-1 gene was cloned for first time, successfully expressed vitro experiments demonstrated binds well both goethite chitin, which key components cusp. We studied function crystallization , revealing it changed morphology crystals. also used fluorescence higher resolution imaging map binding found distribution specific, consistent with SEM results finding tightly aligned goethite. CtCBP-1, regulates distinctive biomineralization process is time. This protein’s identification inform biomimetic techniques creating hard materials can withstand ambient temperature.