Stress protein expression and green turtle fibropapillomatosis

Green turtle fibropapillomatosis (GTFP) is a highly debilitating disease that affects several species of marine turtles worldwide. This study evaluated stress protein expression in red blood cells (RBCs), skin and tumors of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) from a GTFP-prevalent site and a more pristine, GTFP-free site. Levels of expression of HSP72 were significantly higher in healthy turtles from the GTFP-prevalent site compared to healthy turtles from the GTFP-free site, suggesting that these turtles are, indeed stressed. Levels of HSP72 expression were also significantly higher in the nucleated RBCs than in skin tissues of turtles from both sites. These results demonstrate the utility of RBC stress protein evaluation as a new, minimally invasive method of evaluating stress loads in marine turtles as a factor in the potentially multifactorial etiology of GTFP. In addition, HSP72 and GP96 were present and detectable in tumors of diseased turtles, and thus show potential for use in treatment of GTFP.