A p53-like protein from a freshwater mollusc Lamellidens corrianus.
p53 is the most frequently mutated protein in human cancers and the accumulation of its high levels is a potential novel marker for malignancy. Recently, its homologues such as p63 and p73 have been reported in human, mice and fish. Environmentally induced alterations in p53 protein have been reported to contribute to pathogenesis of leukemia in soft-shell clam Mya arenaria inhabiting polluted water, suggesting that p53 proteins can also be used as pollution markers. In the present study, the presence of p53 protein or its homologues was investigated in tissues of bivalve molluscs Lamellidens corrianus that are predominant in the freshwater riverine environment and are well suited to act as test organisms for evaluation of habitat degradation. The molluscs were collected live from the river Ganga at three sampling sites viz., Kanpur, Allahabad and Varanasi and different tissues (foot, gill and mantle) were collected. Proteins were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). On immunoblot analysis, a 45 kDa protein (p45) was recognized by the monoclonal anti-p53 antibody in the molluscan tissues. The p45 showed immunoreactivity in all the three tissues of molluscs collected at Kanpur, in foot and gill tissues in those collected at Allahabad, and in foot tissue only, in those collected at Varanasi. Since monoclonal anti-p53 recognizes a denaturation-resistant epitope on the p53 (53 kDa) nuclear protein and does not react with other cellular proteins, the molluscan p45 is a p53-homologue or p53-like protein. Further, the differential expression of p45 in the different organs might serve as a useful biomarker that would help in establishing pollution gradient for environmental monitoring in the large aquatic ecosystems.
Mohanty
B P
BP
Biochemistry and Biotechnology Lab, Riverine Fisheries Division, Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, 24 Panna Lal Road, Allahabad 211 002, India. bimal.mohanty@abdn.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D001671:Biochemistry / Q000379:methods; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000737:chemistry; D049872:Bivalvia; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005618:Fresh Water; D016158:Genes, p53; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008974:Mollusca; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D011506:Proteins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53