title: Transcriptional regulation of crystallin, redox, and apoptotic genes by C-Phycocyanin in the selenite-induced cataractogenic rat model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to examine the constrictive potential of C-Phycocyanin (C-PC) in regulating changes imposed on gene expression in the selenite-induced cataract model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wistar rat pups were divided into three groups of eight each. On P10, Group I received an intraperitoneal injection of normal saline. Groups II and III received a subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite (19 μmol/kg bodyweight); Group III also received an intraperitoneal injection of C-PC (200 mg/kg bodyweight) on P9-14. Total RNA was isolated on P16, and the relative abundance of mRNA of the crystallin structural genes, redox components, and apoptotic cascade were ascertained with real-time PCR with reference to the internal control β-actin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Real-time PCR analysis showed the crystallin genes (αA-, βB1-, γD-) and redox cycle components (Cat, SOD-1, Gpx) were downregulated, the apoptotic components were upregulated, and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 was downregulated in Group II. Treatment with 200 mg/kg bodyweight C-PC (Group III) transcriptionally regulated the instability of the expression of these genes, thus ensuring C-PC is a prospective anticataractogenic agent that probably delays the onset and progression of cataractogenesis induced by sodium selenite.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  C-PC treatment possibly prevented cataractogenesis triggered by sodium selenite, by regulating the lens crystallin, redox genes, and apoptotic cascade mRNA expression and thus maintains lens transparency. C-PC may be developed as a potential antioxidant compound applied in the future to prevent and treat age-related cataract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Rasiah Pratheepa
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Srinivasagan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramkumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Bency
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thankappan
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Kalimuthusamy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Natarajaseenivasan
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Dr. A. L. M. PG IBMS, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Sadhasivam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balaji
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Kumarasamy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Anbarasu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002374:Catalase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003459:Crystallins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010798:Phycocyanin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020887:Selenious Acid; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D003459:Crystallins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D020011:Protective Agents; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C530883:cryaB protein, rat; D010798:Phycocyanin; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D020887:Selenious Acid