Oxidatively modified proteins and DNA in digestive gland cells of the fresh-water mussel Unio tumidus in the presence of tannic acid and its derivatives

The oxidative effect of tannic acid and its two derivatives (ellagic and gallic acid), naturally occurring plant polyphenols, has been studied on digestive gland cells of the fresh-water mussel Unio tumidus. A spectrophotometric method was used to determine the protein thiol groups after incubation of the cells with the polyphenols at concentrations of 1, 15 and 60 μM. The results showed that the oxidative modification of proteins increased in a concentration-dependent manner but no changes were observed at the concentration of 1 μM.The comet assay (single-cell gel electrophoresis assay) with the formamido-pyrimidine glycosylase (FPG) protein was used to assess oxidative DNA base damage. The cells were treated with polyphenols at the concentrations of 30 and 60 μM and post-incubated with FPG. FPG strongly enhanced DNA damage induced by the polyphenols, indicating that N-7 guanine oxidation is responsible for the observed effect.Using the comet assay in combination with proteinase K we were able to demonstrate the presence of DNA–protein cross-links as the probable cause of the decrease in DNA migration. After treatment of the cells with tannic acid and its metabolites at concentrations of 120, 180 and 240 μM, they were post-incubated with proteinase K. After this treatment an increased DNA migration was observed, indicating the presence of DNA–protein cross-links.We have also used a fluorescence method with Hoechst 33258/propidium iodide DNA-binding dyes to study the extent of DNA fragmentation after exposure of the cells to polyphenols at concentrations of 1, 5 and 60 μM. The results demonstrate that the polyphenols can induce apoptosis and necrosis at higher concentrations (5 and 60 μM).All experimental data suggest that tannic, ellagic and gallic acids at concentrations above 1 μM are able to interact with proteins and DNA, which leads to their degradation or changes in their function.