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

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.