Thehypobranchial gland is aglandular structure which is part of the anatomy of manymollusks, including several different families ofgastropods, and also manyprotobranchbivalves.[1] This gland produces mucus as well as biologically active compounds. Thecephalopodink sac is a modified hypobranchial gland.[2]
The hypobranchial gland is found in manysea snails, including those in the familiesHaliotidae,Buccinidae,Mitridae andCostellariidae. It usually presents itself as a thickening of the tissue located in the roof of the animal'smantle cavity.[3] This is in association with parts of the aquatic mollusk anatomy that perform sediment consolidation in these organisms.[4] However, this gland is absent in all terrestrial gastropods except the Neritacea.[4] Its morphology, however, is variable between different groups of snails.
Glands with similar functions are present in the Nuculidae, Solenomyidae, Monia, Patellacea, and Loritcata.[5]
In the Haliotidae, this gland has two lobes in the roof of the mantle cavity with the left larger than the right. It is deeply ridged and secretes mucus.[5] The purpose of the mucus is to trap, collect, and excrete sediment that collects as water flows over the gills of these organisms.[5]
Aculifera
In the aculifera the hypobranchial glands are referred to as "mucus tracts" and occupy a posterior position in the body.
In a study done on individuals from the speciesDicathais orbita, a member of the Muricidae family, it was found that the bacterial community of the hypobranchial gland was highly specialized; the community was dominated by two genera,Mycoplasma andVibrio, which are known to contain biosynthetic species.[6] These bacterial communities were compared to the foot of the individuals which had a larger variety of bacterial inhabitants.[6]
Some extracts from the hypobranchial gland have shown some toxic effects on human granulosa cells, cells inside the ovaries. These extracts can affect the hormone production of the reproductive system. As for all toxins, the effect is dependent on the dose and length of exposure to these extracts.[7]
There have been studies on some species within the familyMuricidae, because in those species this gland secretes the precursor to the historically importantnatural dye,Tyrian purple.This dye has potential origins in history as early as 2000 BC in some areas of Europe and Asia. Due to the expensive process of dying fabrics with the hypobranchial glands of mollusks, fabrics dyed Tyrian purple were considered a symbol of wealth and royalty throughout much of history. It is synthesized from the dye precursor 6-6 dibromoindigo.[8]
There are some potential medical applications for the hypobranchial glands of mollusks ranging from anti-inflammatories, to anti-bacterials, to cancer.[9] Some of these uses were found by analyzing traditional medicine and therapeutic techniques from a variety of different cultures. In Ancient Greece, extracts from this gland were used as laxatives and diuretics with the potential for some side effects including increases in sweat and saliva productions.[9]
In lab cell lines and various animal models, extracts from the hypobranchial gland have shown a variety of muscle relaxing properties including the ability to act as a neuromuscular block, an anticonvulsant, a pain killer, and a sedative.[9]
Chloroform extracts can inhibit the growth of lymphoma (cancer of the lung), reproductive system cancers, and colon cancer.[9]
A pigment in Tyrian purple, 6-dibromoindirubin, may slow the spread of a variety of cancers including lung, stomach, colon, abdominal, and leukaemia cancers.[9]
Extracts from the glands of Hexaplex trunculus showed possible adhesion inhibition of cervical andglioblastoma cells, which can decrease the frequency of tumor formation.[10]
