Defense Mechanism of the Eared Horse Mussel Modiolus auriculatus (Krauss, 1848) (Bivalvia - Mytilidae) with Emphasis on its Associated Microbial Diversity

Gaber Ibrahim, Naif AlQurashi, Saeed Mujahid Hashimi and Oleg Latyshev

Background and Objective: Sessile Macro-benthic invertebrates have developed a series of defence strategies against predation and epibiosis based on the synthesis and release of cytotoxic and antimitotic materials. The objectives of this study are to study the secondary metabolites of Modiolus auriculatus and to investigate how this mussel defends itself from predators. Materials and Methods: Modiolus auriculatus was collected from the Arabian Gulf during 2019. Anti-tumour tests of the extract were performed against ATCC mouse cell lines. Nucleic acids of Bacteria, archaebacteria and 18S from the Eukarya Domain were extracted from the mussel using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE). To determine the chemical structure of the isolated extract, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra were obtained using Bruker AC 200. Results: All mussel extracts analyzed had high antitumor activity against tumour cell lines but were inactive against brain cancer. The composition of the symbionts associated with the soft bodies has more than 95% similarity. Septamycin, erythromycin, a streptomycin derivative, monensin A, curcutetraol and curcutriolamide were isolated from the extract. Conclusion: Symbolization and suppression of microorganisms are a key role in the survival of Modiolus auriculatus. About 85% of the total copies analyzed corresponded to Alphaproteobacteria and a few to Gammaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and 16S rDNA sequence of Rhodophyta.

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