Cloning, expression and analysis of the olfactory glutathione S-transferases in coho salmon

The genome of the euryhaline rotifer Brachionus paranguensis: Potential use in molecular ecotoxicology

Brachionus spp. rotifers have been proposed as model organisms for ecotoxicological studies. We analyzed the whole-genome sequence of B. paranguensis through NextDenovo, resulting in a total length of 106.2 Mb and 71 contigs. The N50 and the GC content were 4.13 Mb and 28%, respectively. A total of 18,501 genes were predicted within the genome of B. paranguensis. Prominent detoxification-related gene families of phase I and II detoxifications have been investigated. In parallel with other Brachionus rotifers, high gene expansion was observed in CYP clan 3 and GST sigma class in B. paranguensis. Moreover, species-specific expansion of sulfotransferase (SULTs) and gain of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) through horizontal gene transfer has been specifically found within B. plicatilis complex. This whole-genome analysis of B. paranguensis provides a basis for molecular ecotoxicological studies and provides useful information for comparative studies of the evolution of detoxification mechanisms in Brachionus spp.

The genome of the Java medaka (Oryzias javanicus): Potential for its use in marine molecular ecotoxicology

The Java medaka (Oryzias javanicus) is distributed in tropical brackish water and is considered as an ecotoxicological experimental organism for assessing diverse pollutions and global climate change effects in the ocean. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the genome of O. javanicus using the Oxford Nanopore technique and anchored the scaffolds to the 24 genetic linkage map of a sister species Oryzias melastigma. The assembled genome consisted of 773 scaffolds including 24 LG-based scaffolds, and the estimated genome length was 846.3 Mb (N50 = 19.3 Mb), containing 24,498 genes. As detoxification processes are crucial in aquatic organisms, antioxidant-related genes including glutathione S-transferases, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were identified in this study. In the genome of O. javanicus, a total of 21 GSTs, 4 SODs, 1 CAT, and 7 GPxs were identified and showed high similarities between sister species O. melastigma and Oryzias latipes. In addition, despite having 8 classes of cytosolic GSTs family, medaka showed no presence of GST pi and sigma classes, which are predominantly found in carp and salmon, but not in neoteleostei. This study adds another set to genome-library of Oryzias spp. and is a useful resource for better understanding of the molecular ecotoxicology.

A novel sigma class glutathione S-transferase gene in freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica: cloning, characterization and protective effects in herbicide glyphosate stress

As the top-selling herbicide in the world, glyphosate distributes widely in natural environment and its influence on the ecological security and human health has attracted more and more concern. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a well-characterized superfamily of isoenzymes for cellular defense against exogenous toxic substances and therefore protect organisms from injury. In this study, the complete cDNA sequence of GST gene (named as Dja-GST) in freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica was firstly cloned by means of RACE method. The full-length Dja-GST comprises of 706 nucleotides which encodes a polypeptide of 200 amino acids. Dja-GST has two representative GST domains at the N- and C-termini. The conservative GST-N domain includes G-site Y8, F9, R14, W39, K43, P52 and S64, while the variable GST-C domain contains H-site K104, V156, D159 and L161. Sequence analysis, phylogenetic tree reconstruction and multiple alignment collectively indicate that Dja-GST belongs to the Sigma class of GST superfamily. Also, GST gene expression profile, GST enzymatic activity and MDA content in response to glyphosate exposure were systematically investigated and the correlations among them were analyzed. The results suggest that glyphosate exposure modified the mRNA transcription and enzymatic activity of GST, as well as the MDA content in planarians, indicating that Dja-GST might play an important part in organisms defending against oxidative stress induced by glyphosate. This work lays a molecular foundation for further exploring the exact functions of Dja-GST and gives an important implication for evaluating the ecological environment effects of herbicide glyphosate.

Effects of Agricultural Pesticides in Aquafeeds on Wild Fish Feeding on Leftover Pellets Near Fish Farms

Screening has revealed that modern-day feeds used in Atlantic salmon aquaculture might contain trace amounts of agricultural pesticides. To reach slaughter size, salmon are produced in open net pens in the sea. Uneaten feed pellets and undigested feces deposited beneath the net pens represent a source of contamination for marine organisms. To examine the impacts of long-term and continuous dietary exposure to an organophosphorus pesticide found in Atlantic salmon feed, we fed juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), an abundant species around North Atlantic fish farms, three concentrations (0.5, 4.2, and 23.2 mg/kg) of chlorpyrifos-methyl (CPM) for 30 days. Endpoints included liver and bile bioaccumulation, liver transcriptomics and metabolomics, as well as plasma cholinesterase activity, cortisol, liver 7-ethoxyresor-ufin-O-deethylase activity, and hypoxia tolerance. The results show that Atlantic cod can accumulate relatively high levels of CPM in liver after continuous exposure, which is then metabolized and excreted via the bile. All three exposure concentrations lead to significant inhibition of plasma cholinesterase activity, the primary target of CPM. Transcriptomics profiling pointed to effects on cholesterol and steroid biosynthesis. Metabolite profiling revealed that CPM induced responses reflecting detoxification by glutathione-S-transferase, inhibition of monoacylglycerol lipase, potential inhibition of carboxylesterase, and increased demand for ATP, followed by secondary inflammatory responses. A gradual hypoxia challenge test showed that all groups of exposed fish were less tolerant to low oxygen saturation than the controls. In conclusion, this study suggests that wild fish continuously feeding on leftover pellets near fish farms over time may be vulnerable to organophosphorus pesticides.

Molecular characterization of zebrafish Gstr1, the only member of teleost-specific glutathione S- transferase class

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional phase II detoxification enzymes with primary function of glutathione conjugation of various endogenous and exogenous compounds. Teleost-specific Gstr1 in zebrafish (Danio rerio) was previously shown to have high expression in toxicologically relevant tissues and high activity towards model substrates. The aim of this study was a detailed functional characterization of zebrafish Gstr1. Molecular docking analyses were used to get novel insight into structural characteristics of Gstr1 and elucidation of the mechanistic interactions with both GSH and various Gstr1 substrates or inhibitors. An initial screening inhibition assay performed using model fluorescence substrate monochlorobimane (MCB) revealed interactions of different endogenous compounds and environmentally relevant xenobiotics with zebrafish Gstr1. All interacting compounds were further analyzed to determine their inhibition type and K_i values. Our data revealed that pregnenolone, progesterone, testosterone, DHEAS and corticosterone competitively inhibited transformation of MCB by Gstr1 with the calculated K_i values in the range 14-26 μM, implying that these hormones are physiological substrates of zebrafish Gstr1. Estrogens had no effect on Gstr1 activity. Taurochenodeoxycholate (TCDC) expressed lower inhibition potency toward Gstr1 with the K_i value of 33 μM. Among tested xenobiotics tributyltin chloride and rifampicin non-enzymatically bound Gstr1 enzyme (the calculated K_i values are 0.26 μM and 65 μM, respectively) and inhibited its activity, showing that these compounds are reversible noncompetitive inhibitors of zebrafish Gstr1. Insecticide diazinon competitively inhibited Gstr1 activity with calculated K_i value of 27 μM, while other Gstr1-interacting insecticides, chlorpyrifos-methyl (CPF-methyl) and malathion, showed allosteric activation-like effect. Among tested pharmaceuticals, tetracycline, erythromycin and methotrexate demonstrated competitive type of inhibition with the calculated K_i values of 17.5, 36.5 and 29 μM, respectively. In summary, we suggest that zebrafish Gstr1 has an important role in steroidogenesis, metabolism and/or physiological actions of androgens, but not estrogens in fish. Finally, our results imply the role of Gstr1 in metabolism of xenobiotics and protection of fish against deleterious environmental contaminants such as organophosphate insecticides and pharmaceuticals.

Molecular cloning, biochemical characterization, and expression analysis of two glutathione S-transferase paralogs from the big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis)

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs, EC 2.5.1.18) are important Phase II detoxifying enzymes that catalyze hydrophobic, electrophilic xenobiotic substance with the conjugation of reduced glutathione (GSH). In this study, GSTμ and GSTρ paralogs of GST in the big belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis; HaGSTρ, HaGSTμ) were biochemically, molecularly, functionally characterized to determine their detoxification range and protective capacities upon different pathogenic stresses. HaGSTρ and HaGSTμ are composed of coding sequences of 681bp and 654bp, which encode proteins 225 and 217 amino acids, with predicted molecular masses of 26.06kDa and 25.74kDa respectively. Sequence analysis revealed that both HaGSTs comprise the characteristic GSH-binding site in the thioredoxin-like N-terminal domain and substrate binding site in the C-terminal domain. The recombinant HaGSTρ and HaGSTμ proteins catalyzed the model GST substrate 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB). Enzyme kinetic analysis revealed different K_m and V_max values for each rHaGST, suggesting that they have different conjugation rates. The optimum conditions (pH, temperature) and inhibitory assays of each protein demonstrated different optimal ranges. However, HaGSTμ was highly expressed in the ovary and gill, whereas HaGSTρ was highly expressed in the gill and pouch. mRNA expression of HaGSTρ and HaGSTμ was significantly elevated upon lipopolysaccharide, Poly (I:C), and Edwardsiella tarda challenges in liver and in blood cells as well as with Streptococcus iniae challenge in blood cells. From these collective experimental results, we propose that HaGSTρ and HaGSTμ are effective in detoxifying xenobiotic toxic agents, and importantly, their mRNA expression could be stimulated by immunological stress signals in the aquatic environment.

Dietary vitamin C deficiency depressed the gill physical barriers and immune barriers referring to Nrf2, apoptosis, MLCK, NF-κB and TOR signaling in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) under infection of Flavobacterium columnare

This study explored the effects of vitamin C on the physical barriers and immune barriers, and relative mRNA levels of signaling molecules in the gill of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) under infection of Flavobacterium columnare. The results indicated that compared with optimal vitamin C supplementation, vitamin C deficiency (2.9 mg/kg diet) (1) increased reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl (PC) contents (P < 0.05), decreased the copper/zinc superoxide dismutase, manganese superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities and mRNA levels (P < 0.05), and glutathione and vitamin C contents (P < 0.05), down-regulated NF-E2-related factor 2 mRNA level (P < 0.05), and up-regulated Kelch-like ECH-associating protein (Keap) 1a (rather than Keap1b) mRNA level (P < 0.05) in the gill of grass carp under infection of F. columnare, suggesting that vitamin C deficiency induced oxidative injury in fish gill; (2) up-regulated caspase-3, -7, -8, -9, Fas ligand, B-cell lymphoma protein 2 associated X protein, apoptotic protease activating factor-1 mRNA levels (P < 0.05), and down-regulated inhibitor of apoptosis protein and B-cell lymphoma-2 (rather than myeloid cell leukemia-1) mRNA level (P < 0.05) in the gill of grass carp under infection of F. columnare, suggesting that vitamin C deficiency aggravated cell apoptosis in fish gill; (3) up-regulated pore-forming TJs Claudin-12, 15a, -15b, and related signaling molecules myosin light chain kinase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (rather than c-Jun N-terminal kinases) mRNA levels (P < 0.05), and down-regulated barrier-forming TJs Occludin, zonula occludens (ZO) 1, ZO-2, Claudin-c, -3c, -7a, -7b mRNA levels (P < 0.05) in the gill of grass carp under infection of F. columnare, suggesting that vitamin C deficiency disrupted tight junctional complexes in fish gill; (4) decreased lysozyme and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities, and complement 3 (C3), C4 and IgM contents (P < 0.05), down-regulated the mRNA levels of antimicrobial peptides liver expressed antimicrobial peptide (LEAP) 2A, LEAP-2B, Hepcidin, β-defensin mRNA levels (P < 0.05) in the gill of grass carp under infection of F. columnare, suggesting that vitamin C deficiency decrease fish gill immune function; (5) down-regulated the mRNA levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines-related factors interleukin 10 (IL-10), IL-11, transforming growth factor (TGF) β1, TGF-β2, inhibitor of κBa and eIF4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) (rather than 4E-BP2) (P < 0.05), and up-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines-related factors interferon γ2, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 P35, IL-12 P40, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 (rather than NF-κB p52), IκB kinases (IKK) (only IKKα and IKKγ), target of rapamycin and ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 mRNA levels (P < 0.05) in the gill of grass carp under infection of F. columnare, suggesting that vitamin C deficiency aggravated fish gill inflammation. In conclusion, vitamin C deficiency disrupted physical barriers and immune barriers, and regulated relative mRNA levels of signaling molecules in fish gill. The vitamin C requirement for against gill rot morbidity of grass carp (264-1031 g) was estimated to be 156.0 mg/kg diet. In addition, based on the gill biochemical indices (antioxidant indices MDA, PC and vitamin C contents, and immune indices LA and ACP activity) the vitamin C requirements for grass carp (264-1031 g) were estimated to be 116.8, 156.6, 110.8, 57.8 and 134.9 mg/kg diet, respectively.

Comprehensive characterization of three glutathione S-transferase family proteins from black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii)

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs, EC 2.5.1.18) are categorized as phase II enzymes, which form an important multifunctional family associated with a wide variety of catalytic activities. GSTω, GSTρ, and GSTθ are cytosolic GSTs which have been extensively studied in a variety of organisms; however, few studies have focused on teleosts. Those paralogs from black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii; RfGSTω, RfGSTρ, and RfGSTθ, respectively) were molecularly, biochemically, and functionally characterized to determine their antioxidant extent and protective aptitudes upon pathogenic stress. RfGSTω, RfGSTρ, and RfGSTθ, contained open reading frames of 717bp, 678bp, and 720bp respectively, which encoded respective proteins of 239, 226, and 240 amino acids in length. In silico analysis revealed that all RfGSTs possessed characteristic N-terminal domains bearing glutathione (GSH)-binding sites, and C-terminal domains containing substrate-binding sites. Recombinant RfGSTω (rRfGSTω) catalyzed the conjugation of GSH to dehydroascorbate (DHA), while rRfGSTθ and rRfGSTρ catalyzed to the model GST substrate 1-Chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB). Kinetic analysis revealed variation in Km and Vmax values for each rRfGST, indicating their different conjugation rates. The optimum conditions (pH and temperature) and inhibition assays of each protein demonstrated different optimal ranges showing their wide range of activity as an assembly. RfGSTω and RfGSTθ paralogs demonstrated their antioxidant potential towards H2O2 and heavy metals (Cd, Zn, and Cu) in vitro, while RfGSTρ had an antioxidant potential only towards heavy metals (Zn and Cu). Though all the paralogs were ubiquitously expressed in different magnitudes, RfGSTω was highly expressed in blood, whereas RfGSTρ and RfGSTθ were highly expressed in liver. The mRNA expression of RfGSTω and RfGSTθ, upon Streptococcus iniae and poly I:C stimulation, revealed a significantly up-regulated expression, whereas RfGSTρ mRNA expression was significantly down-regulated. Collectively, our findings suggest that RfGSTω, RfGSTρ, and RfGSTθ paralogs are potent in detoxifying xenobiotic toxics, capable of protecting cells from oxidative stress generated by both H2O2 and heavy metals, and finally, yet importantly, stimulated under pathogenic stress signals.

Turn-on fluorescent sensing of glutathione S-transferase at near-infrared region based on FRET between gold nanoclusters and gold nanorods

A fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) method based on gold nanoclusters capped glutathione (AuNCs@GSH) and amine-terminated gold nanorods (AuNRs) is designed for turn-on and near-infrared region (NIR) sensing of glutathione S-transferase (GST). The absorption band of AuNRs is tuned carefully to maximize the spectra overlap and enhance the efficiency of FRET. The FRET from multiple AuNCs to single AuNR quenches about 70% fluorescence emission of AuNCs. After GST is added, the strong specific interaction of GSH-GST can replace the AuNCs@GSH from AuNRs, FRET based on electrostatic interaction between AuNCs@GSH and AuNRs is switched off. Thus, emission enhancement of AuNCs@GSH is observed. The fluorescent enhancement is linearly with the increasing GST concentration over the range of 2-100 nM GST and the limit of detection for GST is about 1.5 nM.

Characterization of glutathione-S-transferases in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are one of the key enzymes that mediate phase II of cellular detoxification. The aim of our study was a comprehensive characterization of GSTs in zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an important vertebrate model species frequently used in environmental research. A detailed phylogenetic analysis of GST superfamily revealed 27 zebrafish gst genes. Further insights into the orthology relationships between human and zebrafish GSTs/Gsts were obtained by the conserved synteny analysis. Expression of gst genes in six tissues (liver, kidney, gills, intestine, brain and gonads) of adult male and female zebrafish was determined using qRT-PCR. Functional characterization was performed on 9 cytosolic Gst enzymes after overexpression in E. coli and subsequent protein purification. Enzyme kinetics was measured for GSH and a series of model substrates. Our data revealed ubiquitously high expression of gstp, gstm (except in liver), gstr1, mgst3a and mgst3b, high expression of gsto2 in gills and ovaries, gsta in intestine and testes, gstt1a in liver, and gstz1 in liver, kidney and brain. All zebrafish Gsts catalyzed the conjugation of GSH to model GST substrates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and monochlorobimane (MCB), apart from Gsto2 and Gstz1 that catalyzed GSH conjugation to dehydroascorbate (DHA) and dichloroacetic acid (DCA), respectively. Affinity toward CDNB varied from 0.28 mM (Gstp2) to 3.69 mM (Gstm3), while affinity toward MCB was in the range of 5 μM (Gstt1a) to 250 μM (Gstp1). Affinity toward GSH varied from 0.27 mM (Gstz1) to 4.45 mM (Gstt1a). Turnover number for CDNB varied from 5.25s(-1) (Gstt1a) to 112s(-1) (Gstp2). Only Gst Pi enzymes utilized ethacrynic acid (ETA). We suggest that Gstp1, Gstp2, Gstt1a, Gstz1, Gstr1, Mgst3a and Mgst3b have important role in the biotransformation of xenobiotics, while Gst Alpha, Mu, Pi, Zeta and Rho classes are involved in the crucial physiological processes. In summary, this study provides the first comprehensive analysis of GST superfamily in zebrafish, presents new insight into distinct functions of individual Gsts, and offers methodological protocols that can be used for further verification of interaction of environmental contaminants with fish Gsts.

Molecular cloning, characterization and positively selected sites of the glutathione S-transferase family from Locusta migratoria

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional enzymes that are involved in the metabolism of endogenous and exogenous compounds and are related to insecticide resistance. The purpose of this study was to provide new information on the molecular characteristics and the positive selection of locust GSTs. Based on the transcriptome database, we sequenced 28 cytosolic GSTs and 4 microsomal GSTs from the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria). We assigned the 28 cytosolic GSTs into 6 classes—sigma, epsilon, delta, theta, omega and zeta, and the 4 microsomal GSTs into 2 subclasses—insect and MGST3. The tissue- and stage-expression patterns of the GSTs differed at the mRNA level. Further, the substrate specificities and kinetic constants of the cytosolic GSTs differed markedly at the protein level. The results of likelihood ratio tests provided strong evidence for positive selection in the delta class. The result of Bayes Empirical Bayes analysis identified 4 amino acid sites in the delta class as positive selection sites. These sites were located on the protein surface. Our findings will facilitate the elucidation of the molecular characteristics and evolutionary aspects of insect GST superfamily.

Antenna-specific glutathione S-transferase in male silkmoth Bombyx mori

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional enzymes that are widely distributed in different species. GSTs detoxify exogenous and endogenous substances by conjugation to reduced glutathione. We characterized BmGSTD4, an antenna-specific GST, in male silkmoths. The full-length mRNA of Bmgstd4 was cloned by RACE-PCR and contained an open reading frame of 738 bp encoding a 245 amino acid protein. The antenna specificity of BmGSTD4 was validated at the mRNA and protein levels and BmGSTD4 was shown to localize in the sensillum of male silkmoth antennae. Homology modeling and multi-sequence alignment suggested that BmGSTD4 was a typical GST belonging to the δ class and had a canonical GST fold with a conserved N-terminus, including a glutathione-binding site and a C-terminal domain harboring a hydrophobic substrate-binding site. Restricted expression of BmGSTD4 in silkmoth antennae combined with GST activity suggested that BmGSTD4 was involved in the detoxification of harmful chemicals.

Copper-induced deregulation of microRNA expression in the zebrafish olfactory system

Although environmental trace metals, such as copper (Cu), can disrupt normal olfactory function in fish, the underlying molecular mechanisms of metal-induced olfactory injury have not been elucidated. Current research has suggested the involvement of epigenetic modifications. To address this hypothesis, we analyzed microRNA (miRNA) profiles in the olfactory system of Cu-exposed zebrafish. Our data revealed 2, 10, and 28 differentially expressed miRNAs in a dose-response manner corresponding to three increasing Cu concentrations. Numerous deregulated miRNAs were involved in neurogenesis (e.g., let-7, miR-7a, miR-128, and miR-138), indicating a role for Cu-mediated toxicity via interference with neurogenesis processes. Putative gene targets of deregulated miRNAs were identified when interrogating our previously published microarray database, including those involved in cell growth and proliferation, cell death, and cell morphology. Moreover, several miRNAs (e.g., miR-203a, miR-199*, miR-16a, miR-16c, and miR-25) may contribute to decreased mRNA levels of their host genes involved in olfactory signal transduction pathways and other critical neurological processes via a post-transcriptional mechanism. Our findings provide novel insight into the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms of metal-induced neurotoxicity of the fish olfactory system and identify novel miRNA biomarkers of metal exposures.