title: Immunolocalization of cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) in Mytilus galloprovincialis and its induction by nutritional levels.
abstract: We have examined the localization of P450scc in different tissues of the mollusc Mytilus galloprovincialis along a gonadal cycle by using a polyclonal antibody against rat cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (cytochrome P450scc). Immunoreactivity specific for P450scc was found only in the cytoplasm of basophilic cells from digestive gland; gonad, gills and kidney appeared to be devoid of P450scc immunoreactivity. SDS-gel electrophoresis and western blot analysis of different subcellular fractions revealed that this protein is mainly located in microsomes, has a molecular weight of 51.4 kDa and is recognized by the antibody against rat P450scc. These results suggest that the digestive gland of M. galloprovincialis could be considered a steroidogenic tissue where the first step in biosynthesis of steroid hormones occurs. Moreover, seasonal slot blot analysis of post-mitochondrial fractions showed a P450scc induction by available nutrients and phytoplankton blooms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Functional Biology and Health Sciences, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana Alonso
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Yolanda Ruiz
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: Fuencisla San Juan
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.forename: Pilar Molist
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: García
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000201:enzymology; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000032:analysis; D000077194:Chlorophyll A; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D003600:Cytosol / Q000201:enzymology; D004064:Digestive System / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D005502:Food; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008861:Microsomes / Q000201:enzymology; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology; D049878:Mytilus / Q000201:enzymology*; D010839:Phytoplankton / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012621:Seasons; D013737:Testis / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D002734:Chlorophyll; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme; D000077194:Chlorophyll A