Tissue-Specific Expression ofp53andrasGenes in Response to the Environmental Genotoxicant Benzo(α)pyrene in Marine Mussels

Abstract

Marine mussels can develop hemeic and gonadal neoplasia in the natural environment. Associated with these diseases are the tumor suppressor (TS) p53 and the proto-oncogene ras coded proteins, both of which are highly conserved among molluscs and vertebrates. We report, for the first time, tissue-specific expression analysis of p53 and ras genes in Mytilus edulis by means of quantitative RT-PCR. A tissue-specific response was observed after 6 and 12 days exposure to a sublethal concentration of a model Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH), benzo(α)pyrene (B(α)P). This sublethal concentration (56 μg/L) was selected based on an integrated biomarker analysis carried out prior to gene expression analysis, which included a 'clearance rate' assay, histopathological analysis, and DNA strand break measurements. The results indicated that the selected concentration of B(α)P can lead to the induction of DNA strand breaks, tissue damage, and expression of tumor-regulating genes. Both p53 and ras are expressed in a tissue-specific manner, which collaborate with tissue-specific function in response to genotoxic stress. The integrated biological responses in Mytilus edulis strengthen the use of this organism to investigate the fundamental mechanism of development of malignancy in invertebrate which could be translated to other organisms including humans.

Transcriptional levels of the cancer‐related genes p53, TAp63/73, and ∆Np63/73 in the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) after lead exposure

“…In M. edulis, it is known that the p53 isoform can be found in many tissues such as the gills, digestive gland, adductor muscle, mantle, and hemocytes (Banni et al 2009;Di et al 2011). In this context, p53 influences damaged cells to undergo apoptosis or cell cycle arrest through regulation of the expression of different genes.…”

“…In marine mussels, little is known regarding p53 functions and its relation to cancer development. In M. edulis, it is known that the p53 isoform can be found in many tissues such as the gills, digestive gland, adductor muscle, mantle, and hemocytes (Banni et al 2009;Di et al 2011). In the present study, we only investigated the gills and the digestive gland of mussels, as these two organs are the most important related to toxicological responses of marine mussels.…”

“…Indeed, several studies of invertebrate species have shown that this isoform may be upregulated when subjected to genotoxic stimuli (Banni et al 2009;Di et al 2011). Considering the important functions of the various members of the p53 family and the capability of lead to promote DNA damage, the aim of this study was to evaluate the expression pattern of p53 family members (p53, TAp63/73, and DNp63/73 isoforms) in the mussel M. edulis following exposure to lead.…”

Novel ABCB1 and ABCC Transporters Are Involved in the Detoxification of Benzo(α)pyrene in Thick Shell Mussel, Mytilus coruscus

“…The selected Bap conservation in this experiment was performed according to Di et al (2011) and represented at par with the low, medium, and high concentrations. The concentrations of Bap in water samples were determined by GC-MS method according to Di et al (2011Di et al ( , 2017. Briefly, an Agilent 5975 GC-MS system was calibrated with commercial Bap standards to generate a standard curve.…”

Relative comparison of tissue specific bioaccumulation and radiation dose estimation in marine and freshwater bivalve molluscs following exposure to phosphorus-32

“…Sufficient data are not available for tissue specific accumulation of short-lived radionuclides. It is well accepted that in common with other contaminants (Al-Subiai et al, 2011Dallas et al, 2013;Di et al, 2011Di et al, , 2017, radionuclides accumulate in the biota in a tissue specific manner. Whole-body determination of radionuclide bioaccumulation levels is important for risk assessments, however for biomonitoring and biological response studies (including sensitive transcriptomics and proteomics studies), it is important that tissue specific information is generated.…”