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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Orono, Maine » National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #380601
Research Project: Genetic Improvement Of Marine Fish and Shellfish

Location: National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center

Title: The role of mitochondrial and lysosomal permeabilization in eastern oyster apoptotic response to Perkinsus marinus

Author
item ROBERTS, ERIN - University Of Rhode Island
item WICKFORS, GARY - National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
item Proestou, Dina
item Markey Lundgren, Kathryn
item SULLIVAN, MARY - University Of Rhode Island
item GOMEZ-CHIARRI, MARTA - University Of Rhode Island

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/7/2020
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is part of a complex, innate-immune response to Perkinsus marinus infection in the Eastern oyster, and apoptosis of infected hemocytes may reduce parasite replication. Previous studies revealed apoptosis stimulation shortly following P. marinus infection, but the parasite may be able to control apoptosis as infection proceeds. Specific organelles and pathways mediating the apoptotic response to P. marinus are unknown. Eastern oysters were challenged in vivo with P. marinus, and hemocyte apoptosis, caspase 3/7 activation, and lysosomal permeabilization were investigated 7 d post-infection using flow cytometry. Granular hemocyte apoptosis significantly decreased in challenged oysters as compared to control oysters, indicating possible inhibition by the parasite. Caspase 3/7 activation and lysosomal permeabilization were not significantly affected by P. marinus, indicating likely involvement of a caspase-independent pathway in hemocyte response and no involvement of lysosomal permeabilization. Oyster hemolymph samples were challenged in vitro with P. marinus at four multiplicities of infection (MOIs; P. marinus to hemocyte 1:1, 5:1, 10:1, and 25:1) for 1 hr, and hemocyte apoptosis and mitochondrial permeabilization were investigated with flow cytometry. Granular hemocyte apoptosis increased at all MOIs compared to control, although levels of mitochondrial permeabilization did not change significantly, suggesting mitochondria are not involved in the apoptotic response to P. marinus. Further research explores the role of Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins (IAPs) in modulating hemocyte apoptosis in response to P. marinus challenge. Uncovering pathways regulating Eastern oyster apoptotic response to Dermo disease may aid in targeting genes for breeding for disease resistance.