Catalase, Bax and p53 expression in the visual system of the crab Ucides cordatus following exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

In invertebrates, a few studies have suggested apoptosis as the mechanism of choice to protect the retina after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. We demonstrated previously, by electron microscopy, that the retina and lamina ganglionaris (or lamina) cells of the crab Ucides cordatus displayed subcellular signs of apoptosis after exposure to UVB and UVC. Here, we first ascertained, by the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) technique, that UV irradiation indeed produced the previously reported results. We next tested, in the visual system of U. cordatus, whether the expression (as analyzed by immunohistochemistry and observed with laser scanning microscopy) and levels (as examined by Western blotting) of catalase, Bax, and p53 were affected by the same dose of UV radiation as that used previously. Our data revealed that the intensity of catalase, Bax, and p53 labeling was stronger in irradiated retina and lamina cells than in non-irradiated retina and lamina. However, no significant difference was observed in the concentrations of these proteins isolated from the whole optic lobe. The results thus suggest that UVB and UVC induce apoptosis in the crustacean retina and lamina by increasing catalase expression and activating the Bax- and p53-mediated apoptosis pathways.