The molecular mechanism of Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway in the antioxidant defense response induced by BaP in the scallop Chlamys farreri

Abstract In this study, we cloned the full-length cDNA of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) from the scallops Chlamys farreri (C. farreri). Sequences alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed that CfKeap1 was highly specific in the scallops, and the amino acid sequence identity value is closer to that in zebrafish Keap1b and Nothobranchius furzeri Keap1b than Keap1a. The highest transcription level of CfKeap1 expression was detected in the digestive glands. The gene expressions of CfKeap1, NF-E2-related nuclear factor 2 (Nrf2), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) in digestive glands were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) after being exposed to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) (0.25, 1and 4 μg/L) for 15 days, which indicated that the activation of Nrf2 and Keap1 expression can be significantly induced under BaP exposure. RNA interference (RNAi) experiments were conducted to examine the expression profiles of CfKeap1, Nrf2, antioxidant genes (Cu/Zn-SOD, CAT and GPx), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) and protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways key genes in digestive glands and gills when exposed to BaP. Results showed that the mRNA level of CfKeap1 was significantly decreased by 60.69% and59.485%. The changes of CfKeap1 and Nrf2 suggested that the enhancement of Keap1 expression stimulating Nrf2 degradation. Furthermore, the expression of antioxidant genes were consistent with the Nrf2 gene, which suggesting that Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway is required for the induction of antioxidant genes. Besides, the changes of PKC, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 genes expression suggested that PKC and MAPKs signaling pathways played a synergistic role with Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway in the anti-oxidative defense system of bivalve molluscs. In conclusion, these data demonstrated that Keap1 can sense nucleophilic or oxidative stress factors to regulate the Nrf2 signaling pathway together with Cul3-based E3 Ubiquitin Ligase (E3), and the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway played an important role in modulating gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in bivalve mollusks.