UVB Leads to Abnormal Embryos and Protein Expression in Bufo bufo gargarizans

Because of ozonosphere: depletion, more ultraviolet B (UVB) rays reach the earth and play an important role in the development of organisms. We studied the relationship between UVB irradiation and embryonic development in Bufo bufo gargarizans. Embryos at different developmental stages were exposed to UVB and then examined. We observed a decrease in viability and a significant increase in abnormalities at the neurula stage. A variety of abnormalities occured. Two-dimensicnal electrophoresis (2-DE) suggested that protein expression was significantly affected in neurula by UVB. Using Imaging Master 2D Platinum 6.0, we found that 63 protein spots disappeared, while 21 protein spots were differentially expressed after UVB treatment. Analyzed with a MALDI-TOP mass spectrometer and searched in the NCBInr database, seven differentially expressed proteins were identified. Western blotting confirmed the protein identification results using mass spectrometry. Our study provides the basis for further investigation of the cellular response to UVB and elucidates the roles of photophysical factors in the development of amphibians.