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Expression of mutant protein p53 and Hsp70 and Hsp90 chaperones in cockles Cerastoderma edule affected by neoplasia
1Centro de Investigacións Mariñas, Consellería do Mar, Xunta de Galicia, Aptdo. 13, 36620 Vilanova de Arousa, Spain.
Abstract:
High prevalence of disseminated neoplasia has been found in cockles Cerastoderma edule of Galicia (NW Spain). Disseminated neoplasia has been associated with high mortalities of various bivalve species. In vertebrates, proteins such as p53 and heat shock proteins (HSPs) play important roles in carcinogenesis. The protein p53 has been detected in neoplastic cells of bivalve molluscs such as Mytilus edulis, Mytilus trossulus, Mya arenaria, Spisula solidissima, Crassostrea rhizophorae and Crassostrea gigas. In this study, western blotting analyses were used to test the expression of Hsp70, Hsp90 and mutant p53 proteins in the cells and plasma of the haemolymph of cockles showing various intensities of neoplasia. Disseminated neoplasia was previously diagnosed by examination of stained haemolymph monolayers with light microscopy. In the present study, mutant p53 was detected in haemolymph cells of cockles diagnosed as affected by moderate and heavy neoplasia intensity, whereas it was not detected in cockles with either no or light neoplasia. The higher the neoplasia intensity, the higher the levels of Hsp70 and Hsp90. These proteins were not found in plasma. The results reveal the possible association between p53 and HSPs in neoplastic cells of cockles, which could prevent p53 from carrying out its functions, as occurs in human cancers.
Insights
Disseminated neoplasia in cockles is linked to mutant p53 and elevated heat shock proteins (HSPs). These findings suggest a potential role for p53 and HSPs in cockle cancer, similar to human carcinogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Invertebrate pathology
- Molecular oncology
Background:
- Disseminated neoplasia is a significant cause of mortality in bivalve molluscs.
- Proteins like p53 and heat shock proteins (HSPs) are crucial in vertebrate carcinogenesis.
- Previous studies detected p53 in neoplastic cells of various bivalve species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of Hsp70, Hsp90, and mutant p53 proteins in cockles (Cerastoderma edule) with varying intensities of disseminated neoplasia.
- To explore the potential association between p53 and HSPs in cockle neoplasia.
Main Methods:
- Western blotting was employed to analyze protein expression in cockle hemolymph cells and plasma.
- Disseminated neoplasia was pre-diagnosed using light microscopy of stained hemolymph monolayers.
Main Results:
- Mutant p53 was detected in hemolymph cells of cockles with moderate to heavy neoplasia, but not in those with no or light neoplasia.
- Hsp70 and Hsp90 levels increased with neoplasia intensity.
- Hsp70 and Hsp90 were found in hemolymph cells, but not in plasma.
Conclusions:
- The study suggests a possible association between p53 and HSPs in neoplastic cockle cells.
- This interaction might impair p53's tumor-suppressive functions, mirroring mechanisms in human cancers.
- Findings contribute to understanding neoplasia in marine bivalves and potential molecular pathways involved.
