Silk Gland Factor 1 Plays a Pivotal Role in Larval Settlement of the Fouling Mussel Mytilopsis sallei

Most fouling organisms have planktonic larval and benthic adult stages. Larval settlement, the planktonic-benthic transition, is the critical point when biofouling begins. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of larval settlement is limited. In our previous studies, we identified that the AMP-activated protein kinase-silk gland factor 1 (AMPK-SGF1) pathway was involved in triggering the larval settlement in the fouling mussel M. sallei. In this study, to further confirm the pivotal role of SGF1, multiple targeted binding compounds of SGF1 were obtained using high-throughput virtual screening. It was found that the targeted binding compounds, such as NAD⁺ and atorvastatin, could significantly induce and inhibit the larval settlement, respectively. Furthermore, the qRT-PCR showed that the expression of the foot proteins' genes was significantly increased after the exposure to 10 μM NAD⁺, while the gene expression was significantly suppressed after the exposure to 10 μM atorvastatin. Additionally, the production of the byssus threads of the adults was significantly increased after the exposure to 10-20 μM of NAD⁺, while the production of the byssus threads was significantly decreased after the exposure to 10-50 μM of atorvastatin. This work will deepen our understanding of SGF1 in triggering the larval settlement in mussels and will provide insights into the potential targets for developing novel antifouling agents.

Mytilopsis sallei; SGF1; biofouling; larval settlement; virtual screening.