Dermatopontin, a shell matrix protein gene from pearl oyster Pinctada martensii, participates in nacre formation

► We obtained the full length of DPT gene in Pinctada martensii. ► DPT mRNA was higher expressed in the mantle and pearl sac. ► RNA interference was used to elucidate the function of DPT gene. ► The obtained DPT was functional for nacre formation in P. martensii.