Anticancer Activity and Relative Gene Expression of βGBP in the Serum of Mole Crab, Emerita asiatica

Abstract

Background: β-1,3 Glucan Binding Protein (βGBP) is an important immune-related protein in crustaceans with potential biomedical applications. The present study evaluated the gene expression, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities of βGBP isolated from the serum of Emerita asiatica.Materials and Methods: βGBP was isolated using affinity chromatography and analyzed through nested PCR and qPCR. Antiproliferative activity was evaluated against HepG2, EAC, MCF-7, A375, HeLa, and L929 cell lines using MTT assay. Apoptotic activity and p53 expression were assessed by AO/EB staining and flow cytometry. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were determined by disc diffusion assay.Results: qPCR analysis confirmed differential expression of βGBP genes in E. asiatica. Purified βGBP exhibited significant antiproliferative activity, particularly against HepG2 and EAC cell lines. AO/EB staining and flow cytometry demonstrated apoptosis induction and enhanced p53 expression in HepG2 cells. βGBP also showed broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activities against tested pathogens.Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that βGBP from Emerita asiatica possesses significant anticancer and antimicrobial properties, indicating its potential as a promising marine-derived therapeutic biomolecule.

Keywords: Anti-Cancer Activity (ATC); Antimicrobial activity; Apoptosis; β-1,3 Glucan Binding Protein (βGBP); Emerita asiatica; Gene expression