Expressions and localizations of Bax/Bcl-2 proteins during metamorphosis of Pelophylax ridibundus

Abstract

Bcl-2 and Bax proteins are expressed in cells of the tails of Pelophylax ridibundus larvae. We investigated the levels of these proteins in tails undergoing apoptosis. Apoptotic cells were observed in the epidermis, muscle and notochord of tails of different lengths. The apoptotic cells in epidermis exhibited the typical features of apoptosis. Amorphous masses and irregularities in striated muscle tissue undergoing apoptosis and apoptotic remnants in the notochord also were observed. In general, Bax staining in the epidermis, subepidermal fibroblast layer, muscle and notochord cells increased, while Bcl-2 staining decreased as the tail regressed. Our results suggest that during tail regression due to metamorphosis, Bcl-2 and Bax proteins play key roles in the apoptosis of tail epidermis, subepidermal fibroblast layer, muscle and notochord cells.

Key words::

• anti-apoptotic
• proteins
• apoptosis
• metamorphosis
• Pelophylax ridibundus
• pro-apoptotic proteins

Acknowledgment

We thank the Adnan Menderes University for supporting this research through grant number FEF/2009-0904. This work was presented the İzmir/21st National Biology Congress, İzmir/Turkey, September 3–7, 2012.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.