title: Expression analysis of the molluscan p53 protein family mRNA in mussels (Mytilus spp.) exposed to organic contaminants.
abstract: In this study, we report the tissue expression analysis of the p53 protein family mRNA in mussels (Mytilus spp.) by means of quantitative RT-PCR. The tissue specific response was evaluated after 24 h exposure to a sublethal benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) concentration (75 nM), showing a 2.6 fold induction in digestive gland cells and a dramatic gene down regulation in circulating hemocytes. The comet assay and DNA gel diffusion tests showed significant effects in hemocytes and negligible differences in the digestive gland nuclei, implicating p53 in DNA damage of molluscan hemocytes. Finally, the kinetics of p53 protein family mRNA expression in the digestive gland of animals exposed to B[a]P and crude oil (0.5 ppm) showed partially overlapping trends, characterised by a common down regulation after 1 week exposure. These data should be carefully considered in view of the biological effects of organic pollutants and particularly following spills.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale Amedeo Avogadro, Via Bellini 25 G, 15100 Alessandria, Italy.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Banni
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Negri
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rebelo
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rapallo
authors.forename: Hamadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boussetta
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Viarengo
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dondero
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000633:toxicity*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D004064:Digestive System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006434:Hemocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D049878:Mytilus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D010578:Petroleum / Q000633:toxicity*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010578:Petroleum; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene