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Figure 9 | BMC Structural Biology

Figure 9

From: The structure of mollusc larval shells formed in the presence of the chitin synthase inhibitor Nikkomycin Z

Figure 9

Phenotype of larval shell hinges synthesized in the presence of NikkomycinZ on length scales of < 1 μm – 100 μm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of shell specimens synthesized by mollusc larvae in the presence (10 μM) or absence (0 μM) of NikkomycinZ. Hinge regions of 8 day old (a-d) and 22 day old (e-h) shell specimens are shown. a. Hinge teeth (arrowheads) are periodically distributed. The size of individual hinge teeth decreases towards the centre of the hinge. b. A close-up view of the hinge tooth marked by an arrow in (a) reveals the compact, cubic shape and the smooth, granular surface structure. c. Provinculum of a larva cultured for three days in the presence of NikkomycinZ that lacks well developed hinge teeth. This view represents the inner surface of the valves, where usually hinge teeth or their precursors are observed. d. Fragments of hinge teeth of an eight day old larva cultivated in the presence of NikkomycinZ. The teeth are not cubic and there is no granular cover layer. e. In later developmental periods, the hinge teeth are regularly distributed along the total length of the hinge. Note that even the youngest formed tooth precursors located in the centre of the hinge built a protuberance. f. Close-up view of the transition region between the bigger and a more recently formed smaller tooth as indicated by an arrow in (e), revealing the fine-grained cover layer and the smoothly curved edges. g. Hinge of a larva that have been reared in the presence of NikkomycinZ since the 12th day after fertilization. The smallest teeth were flat (or missing) and the development of the most recently formed teeth appeared delayed in comparison to untreated larvae cultures. h. Close-up view of the transition region as indicated by an arrow in (g) between the earlier and recently formed hinge teeth. The teeth appear compressed and the surface is covered with flat, sharp-edged platelets.

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