A deeper understanding of the calcified crustacean exoskeleton structure, as well as the processes of exoskeleton construction and replacement during the molt cycle, can answer many biological questions and promote numerous biotechnological developments. In the present study, we combined data from our recently established C. quadricarinatus epithelial transcriptome library [29] with new data collected by tandem MS analyses of gastrolith protein extracts. Accordingly,
we have identified a set of novel C. quadricarinatus gastrolith matrix
proteins, that, when combined with the list of previously identified
proteins, offer a near-complete and comprehensive picture of the gastrolith
proteome. Furthermore, using various biochemical approaches,
we also obtained strong evidence for their association into complexes.