Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 in the Sea Cucumber Holothuria glaberrima

Overview

One of the most striking cases of regeneration occurs in the sea cucumber Holothuria glaberrima. This species is able to regenerate most of its internal organs after a process of evisceration, including its digestive and hemal systems (García-Arrarás, 1998). Such ability provides a perfect model to study the mechanisms behind regeneration. Recent studies suggest that the transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), is an important protein involved in regeneration. In fact, it has been linked to tumorigenesis, stem cell biology, immunity, inflammation, cell differentiation, anaerobic glycolysis, angiogenesis, erythropoiesis and fibroblast proliferation (Haber-Katz, 2017). Thus, the objective of the research is to see if HIF-1 can be found in H. glaberrima and whether it might have a role in intestinal regeneration. Three methods were used: Bioinformatics analysis, RT-PCR, and Immunocytochemistry. We have now identified an HIF-1 mRNA sequence in our H. glaberrima databank. The sequence codes for an 850 amino acid putative protein that shows 43% identity and 62% similarity to human HIF in the first 500 amino acids. The RT-PCR demonstrates concrete evidence for the existence of HIF-1 in the genome of the sea cucumber. On the other hand, immunocytochemical studies using an anti-HIF antibody shows HIF-1 labeling in the various intestinal tissues, and specifically in cells of the submucosa and muscle layers. It was determined that there is a major cell percent of small size cells than large cells. Further studies identified the presence of HIF-1 in the regenerating intestine which in fact coincides with Meso1 labeling (García-Arrarás, 2011).

Competition history

• ISEF 2019 Animal Sciences · Entry ANIM033

Resources

• ISEF abstract page ↗

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