title: Induction of innate immune gene expression following methyl methanesulfonate-induced DNA damage in sea urchins.
abstract: Sea urchins are noted for the absence of neoplastic disease and represent a novel model to investigate cellular and systemic cancer protection mechanisms. Following intracoelomic injection of the DNA alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate, DNA damage was detected in sea urchin cells and tissues (coelomocytes, muscle, oesophagus, ampullae and gonad) by the alkaline unwinding, fast micromethod. Gene expression analyses of the coelomocytes indicated upregulation of innate immune markers, including genes involved in NF-κB signalling. Results suggest that activation of the innate immune system following DNA damage may contribute to the naturally occurring resistance to neoplastic disease observed in sea urchins.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Discovery Laboratory, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, 17 Biological Station, St George's GE01, Bermuda helena.reinardy@unis.no.
authors.forename: H C
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8614-9820
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Reinardy
authors.affiliation: Molecular Discovery Laboratory, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, 17 Biological Station, St George's GE01, Bermuda.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.affiliation: Molecular Discovery Laboratory, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, 17 Biological Station, St George's GE01, Bermuda.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Bodnar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects; D047331:Lytechinus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D008741:Methyl Methanesulfonate / Q000633:toxicity*; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D009153:Mutagens; D008741:Methyl Methanesulfonate
keywords: DNA damage; innate immune genes; methyl methanesulfonate; sea urchins