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A Toxicological and Ecotoxicological Assay Based on Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) Hemocytes Motility
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Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819) spermatozoa: hsp70 expression and protamine-like protein property studies

Marina Piscopo1, Rosaria Notariale2, Dea Rabbito2

  • 1Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy. piscopo@unina.it.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research International
|February 26, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Mussel sperm HSP70 expression and protamine-like protein changes indicate reproductive health risks near a metallurgical factory. These biomarkers help assess environmental eco-toxicological impacts on marine life.

Area of Science:

  • Marine Biology
  • Ecotoxicology
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) are vital marine bioindicators.
  • Reproductive health is crucial for mussel population sustainability.
  • Environmental stressors can impact mussel reproductive parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To monitor reproductive health in Mytilus galloprovincialis.
  • To investigate spermatozoa heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression.
  • To analyze protamine-like protein (PL) properties in relation to environmental exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Mussels were exposed for 30 days in three sites near Naples: Bagnoli South (BAs), Bagnoli North (BAn), and Capo Miseno (CM).
  • Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to measure HSP70 gene expression in spermatozoa.
  • Electrophoretic analyses and electrophoretic mobility shift assays were performed on protamine-like proteins (PL) and their DNA-binding ability.

Main Results:

  • HSP70 expression was significantly elevated (5-15 fold) in spermatozoa from BAs and BAn compared to controls.
  • Protamine-like proteins in BAs and BAn spermatozoa showed degradation into peptides and altered DNA-binding characteristics.
  • Spermatozoa from Capo Miseno (CM) exhibited less pronounced changes compared to Bagnoli sites.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated HSP70 expression and altered protamine-like protein properties in mussel spermatozoa serve as sensitive indicators of eco-toxicological stress.
  • These findings highlight the utility of Mytilus galloprovincialis as a bioindicator for assessing reproductive health risks in polluted marine environments.
  • The study underscores the potential reproductive risks posed by proximity to industrial pollution sources.
Keywords:
BagnoliCapo MisenoMytilus galloprovincialisProtamine-like proteinsSpermatozoahsp70

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