The Effect of Mussel Adhesive Protein Concentration Over Time

The sudden increase of Quagga mussels in the western United States, within the last five years, has caused rise for concern. Unfortunately, the impact of this species is detrimental to the ecosystem in which it thrives. With the increase of Quagga mussels in Lake Mead, Nevada, not only have other species within the ecosystem declined but the mussels have also caused major damages to the water system which supplies water to all of Las Vegas, Nevada, costing millions of dollars in repair. The goal of this research is to understand the protein L-3,4-DOPA, which is thought to be directly responsible for the adhesive property of the Quagga mussels’ byssel threads. This MAP (mussel adhesive protein) is important to understand, because without the production of this protein, Quagga mussels are unable to adhere to a surface, and without the ability to adhere the mussel would be unable to transition from larval state to an adult. This research was done by collecting live Quagga mussels from Lake Mead, Nevada, and testing the concentration of protein over time and the concentration of protein versus the number of Quagga mussels present in the sample. Protein concentrations were determined using a Biuret based reagent and spectrophotometery. Results from this experiment are pending but will be completed by August 2012.