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Spampinato M, Siciliano A, Travaglione A, Chianese T, Mileo A, Libralato G, Guida M, Trifuoggi M, De Gregorio V, Rosati L. Unravelling the ecotoxicological impacts of gadolinium (Gd) on Mytilus galloprovincialis embryos and sperm in seawater: A preliminary study. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31087. [PMID: 38826730 PMCID: PMC11141363 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
As the demand for rare earth elements (REEs) continues to surge in diverse industrial and medical domains, the ecological consequences of their ubiquitous presence have garnered heightened attention. Among the REEs, gadolinium (Gd), commonly used in medical imaging contrast agents, has emerged as a pivotal concern due to its inadvertent introduction into marine ecosystems via wastewater release. This study delves into the complex ecotoxicological implications of Gd contamination, focusing on its impact on the embryonic development and sperm functionality of Mytilus galloprovincialis. The findings from this study underscore the potential hazards posed by this rare element, offering a critical perspective on the ecological risks associated with Gd. Notably, this exploratory work reveals that Gd exerts a significant embryotoxic effect at elevated concentrations, with an observed half maximal effective concentration (EC50) value of 0.026 mg/L. Additionally, Gd exposure leads to a considerable reduction in sperm motility and alters sperm morfo-kinetic parameters, especially at a concentration of 5.6 mg/L. The results highlight a dose-dependent relationship between Gd exposure and the prevalence of specific malformation types in Mytilus embryos, further providing crucial insights into the potential risks imposed by this rare earth element.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Spampinato
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, 90133, Italy
| | - Antonietta Siciliano
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Travaglione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Teresa Chianese
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Aldo Mileo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Libralato
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Guida
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, 90133, Italy
| | - Marco Trifuoggi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Vicinale Cupa Cintia 26, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Vincenza De Gregorio
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Rosati
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
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Servetto N, Ruiz MB, Martínez M, Harms L, de Aranzamendi MC, Alurralde G, Giménez D, Abele D, Held C, Sahade R. Molecular responses to ocean acidification in an Antarctic bivalve and an ascidian. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 903:166577. [PMID: 37633374 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Southern Ocean organisms are considered particularly vulnerable to Ocean acidification (OA), as they inhabit cold waters where calcite-aragonite saturation states are naturally low. It is also generally assumed that OA would affect calcifying animals more than non-calcifying animals. In this context, we aimed to study the impact of reduced pH on both types of species: the ascidian Cnemidocarpa verrucosa sp. A, and the bivalve Aequiyoldia eightsii, from an Antarctic fjord. We used gene expression profiling and enzyme activity to study the responses of these two Antarctic benthic species to OA. We report the results of an experiment lasting 66 days, comparing the molecular mechanisms underlying responses under two pCO2 treatments (ambient and elevated pCO2). We observed 224 up-regulated and 111 down-regulated genes (FC ≥ 2; p-value ≤ 0.05) in the ascidian. In particular, the decrease in pH caused an upregulation of genes involved in the immune system and antioxidant response. While fewer differentially expressed (DE) genes were observed in the infaunal bivalve, 34 genes were up-regulated, and 69 genes were downregulated (FC ≥ 2; p-value ≤ 0.05) in response to OA. We found downregulated genes involved in the oxidoreductase pathway (such as glucose dehydrogenase and trimethyl lysine dioxygenase), while the heat shock protein 70 was up-regulated. This work addresses the effect of OA in two common, widely distributed Antarctic species, showing striking results. Our major finding highlights the impact of OA on the non-calcifying species, a result that differ from the general trend, which describes a higher impact on calcifying species. This calls for discussion of potential effects on non-calcifying species, such as ascidians, a diverse and abundant group that form extended three-dimensional clusters in shallow waters and shelf areas in the Southern Ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Servetto
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Ecosistemas Marinos Polares (ECOMARES-IDEA), Av. Vélez Sarsfield 299, X5000JJC Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Ecosistemas Marinos Polares (ECOMARES), Av. Vélez Sarsfield 299, X5000JJC Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - M B Ruiz
- Alfred Wegener Institute - Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen, 12 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany; Aquatic Ecosystem Research, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - M Martínez
- Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - L Harms
- Alfred Wegener Institute - Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen, 12 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - M C de Aranzamendi
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Ecosistemas Marinos Polares (ECOMARES-IDEA), Av. Vélez Sarsfield 299, X5000JJC Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Ecosistemas Marinos Polares (ECOMARES), Av. Vélez Sarsfield 299, X5000JJC Córdoba, Argentina
| | - G Alurralde
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden; Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission HELCOM, Helsinki FI-00160, Finland
| | - D Giménez
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Ecosistemas Marinos Polares (ECOMARES-IDEA), Av. Vélez Sarsfield 299, X5000JJC Córdoba, Argentina
| | - D Abele
- Alfred Wegener Institute - Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen, 12 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - C Held
- Alfred Wegener Institute - Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen, 12 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - R Sahade
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Ecosistemas Marinos Polares (ECOMARES-IDEA), Av. Vélez Sarsfield 299, X5000JJC Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Ecosistemas Marinos Polares (ECOMARES), Av. Vélez Sarsfield 299, X5000JJC Córdoba, Argentina.
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Schwaner C, Farhat S, Boutet I, Tanguy A, Barbosa M, Grouzdev D, Pales Espinosa E, Allam B. Combination of RNAseq and RADseq to Identify Physiological and Adaptive Responses to Acidification in the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica). MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 25:997-1019. [PMID: 37864760 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-023-10255-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Ocean acidification (OA) is a major stressor threatening marine calcifiers, including the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). In this paper, we provide insight into the molecular mechanisms associated with resilience to OA, with the dual intentions of probing both acclimation and adaptation potential in this species. C. virginica were spawned, and larvae were reared in control or acidified conditions immediately after fertilization. RNA samples were collected from larvae and juveniles, and DNA samples were collected from juveniles after undergoing OA-induced mortality and used to contrast gene expression (RNAseq) and SNP (ddRADseq) profiles from animals reared under both conditions. Results showed convergence of evidence from both approaches, particularly in genes involved in biomineralization that displayed significant changes in variant frequencies and gene expression levels among juveniles that survived acidification as compared to controls. Downregulated genes were related to immune processes, supporting previous studies demonstrating a reduction in immunity from exposure to OA. Acclimation to OA via regulation of gene expression might confer short-term resilience to immediate threats; however, the costs may not be sustainable, underscoring the importance of selection of resilient genotypes. Here, we identified SNPs associated with survival under OA conditions, suggesting that this commercially and ecologically important species might have the genetic variation needed for adaptation to future acidification. The identification of genetic features associated with OA resilience is a highly-needed step for the development of marker-assisted selection of oyster stocks for aquaculture and restoration activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Schwaner
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11790, USA
| | - Sarah Farhat
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11790, USA
- Institut Systématique Evolution Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Boutet
- Station Biologique de Roscoff, CNRS/Sorbonne Université, Place Georges Teissier 29680, Roscoff, France
| | - Arnaud Tanguy
- Station Biologique de Roscoff, CNRS/Sorbonne Université, Place Georges Teissier 29680, Roscoff, France
| | - Michelle Barbosa
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11790, USA
| | - Denis Grouzdev
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11790, USA
| | | | - Bassem Allam
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11790, USA.
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RNAi Silencing of the Biomineralization Gene Perlucin Impairs Oyster Ability to Cope with Ocean Acidification. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043661. [PMID: 36835072 PMCID: PMC9961701 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcifying marine organisms, including the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica), are vulnerable to ocean acidification (OA) because it is more difficult to precipitate calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Previous investigations of the molecular mechanisms associated with resilience to OA in C. virginica demonstrated significant differences in single nucleotide polymorphism and gene expression profiles among oysters reared under ambient and OA conditions. Converged evidence generated by both of these approaches highlighted the role of genes related to biomineralization, including perlucins. Here, gene silencing via RNA interference (RNAi) was used to evaluate the protective role of a perlucin gene under OA stress. Larvae were exposed to short dicer-substrate small interfering RNA (DsiRNA-perlucin) to silence the target gene or to one of two control treatments (control DsiRNA or seawater) before cultivation under OA (pH ~7.3) or ambient (pH ~8.2) conditions. Two transfection experiments were performed in parallel, one during fertilization and one during early larval development (6 h post-fertilization), before larval viability, size, development, and shell mineralization were monitored. Silenced oysters under acidification stress were the smallest, had shell abnormalities, and had significantly reduced shell mineralization, thereby suggesting that perlucin significantly helps larvae mitigate the effects of OA.
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Schwaner C, Farhat S, Barbosa M, Boutet I, Tanguy A, Pales Espinosa E, Allam B. Molecular Features Associated with Resilience to Ocean Acidification in the Northern Quahog, Mercenaria mercenaria. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 25:83-99. [PMID: 36417051 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-022-10183-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The increasing concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere and resulting flux into the oceans will further exacerbate acidification already threatening coastal marine ecosystems. The subsequent alterations in carbonate chemistry can have deleterious impacts on many economically and ecologically important species including the northern quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria). The accelerated pace of these changes requires an understanding of how or if species and populations will be able to acclimate or adapt to such swift environmental alterations. Thus far, studies have primarily focused on the physiological effects of ocean acidification (OA) on M. mercenaria, including reductions in growth and survival. However, the molecular mechanisms of resilience to OA in this species remains unclear. Clam gametes were fertilized under normal pCO2 and reared under acidified (pH ~ 7.5, pCO2 ~ 1200 ppm) or control (pH ~ 7.9, pCO2 ~ 600 ppm) conditions before sampled at 2 days (larvae), 32 days (postsets), 5 and 10 months (juveniles) and submitted to RNA and DNA sequencing to evaluate alterations in gene expression and genetic variations. Results showed significant shift in gene expression profiles among clams reared in acidified conditions as compared to their respective controls. At 10 months of exposure, significant shifts in allele frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. Both approaches highlighted genes coding for proteins related to shell formation, bicarbonate transport, cytoskeleton, immunity/stress, and metabolism, illustrating the role these pathways play in resilience to OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Schwaner
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11790, USA
| | - Sarah Farhat
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11790, USA
| | - Michelle Barbosa
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11790, USA
| | - Isabelle Boutet
- Station Biologique de Roscoff, CNRS/Sorbonne Université, Place Georges Teissier, 29680, Roscoff, France
| | - Arnaud Tanguy
- Station Biologique de Roscoff, CNRS/Sorbonne Université, Place Georges Teissier, 29680, Roscoff, France
| | | | - Bassem Allam
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11790, USA.
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Mincarelli LF, Chapman EC, Rotchell JM, Turner AP, Wollenberg Valero KC. Sex and gametogenesis stage are strong drivers of gene expression in Mytilus edulis exposed to environmentally relevant plasticiser levels and pH 7.7. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:23437-23449. [PMID: 36322353 PMCID: PMC9938808 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23801-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution and changes in oceanic pH are both pressing environmental issues. Little emphasis, however, has been placed on the influence of sex and gametogenesis stage when investigating the effects of such stressors. Here, we examined histology and molecular biomarkers of blue mussels Mytilus edulis exposed for 7 days to a pH 7.7 scenario (- 0.4 units) in combination with environmentally relevant concentrations (0, 0.5 and 50 µg/L) of the endocrine disrupting plasticiser di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). Through a factorial design, we investigated the gametogenesis cycle and sex-related expression of genes involved in pH homeostasis, stress response and oestrogen receptor-like pathways after the exposure to the two environmental stressors. As expected, we found sex-related differences in the proportion of developing, mature and spawning gonads in histological sections. Male gonads also showed higher levels of the acid-base regulator CA2, but females had a higher expression of stress response-related genes (i.e. sod, cat, hsp70). We found a significant effect of DEHP on stress response-related gene expression that was dependent on the gametogenesis stage, but there was only a trend towards downregulation of CA2 in response to pH 7.7. In addition, differences in gene expression between males and females were most pronounced in experimental conditions containing DEHP and/or acidified pH but never the control, indicating that it is important to consider sex and gametogenesis stage when studying the response of mussels to diverse stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma C Chapman
- Department of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Jeanette M Rotchell
- Department of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Alexander P Turner
- Department of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG8 1BB, UK
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Gurr SJ, Trigg SA, Vadopalas B, Roberts SB, Putnam HM. Acclimatory gene expression of primed clams enhances robustness to elevated pCO 2. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:5005-5023. [PMID: 35947503 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Sub-lethal exposure to environmental challenges may enhance ability to cope with chronic or repeated change, a process known as priming. In a previous study, pre-exposure to seawater enriched with pCO2 improved growth and reduced antioxidant capacity of juvenile Pacific geoduck Panopea generosa, suggesting that transcriptional shifts may drive phenotypic modifications post-priming. To this end, juvenile clams were sampled and TagSeq gene expression data analyzed after 1) a 110-day acclimation under ambient (921 μatm, naïve) and moderately-elevated pCO2 (2870 μatm, pre-exposed); then following 2) a second 7-day exposure to three pCO2 treatments (ambient: 754 μatm; moderately-elevated: 2750 μatm; severely-elevated: 4940 μatm), a 7-day return to ambient pCO2 , and a third 7-day exposure to two pCO2 treatments (ambient: 967 μatm; moderately-elevated: 3030 μatm). Pre-exposed geoducks frontloaded genes for stress and apoptosis/innate immune response, homeostatic processes, protein degradation, and transcriptional modifiers. Pre-exposed geoducks were also responsive to subsequent encounters, with gene sets enriched for mitochondrial recycling and immune defense under elevated pCO2 and energy metabolism and biosynthesis under ambient recovery. In contrast, gene sets with higher expression in naïve clams were enriched for fatty-acid degradation and glutathione components, suggesting naïve clams could be depleting endogenous fuels, with unsustainable energetic requirements if changes in carbonate chemistry persist. Collectively, our transcriptomic data indicates pCO2 priming during post-larval periods could, via gene expression regulation, enhance robustness in bivalves to environmental change. Such priming approaches may be beneficial for aquaculture, as seafood demand intensifies concurrent with increasing climate change in marine systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Gurr
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Shelly A Trigg
- University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Steven B Roberts
- University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hollie M Putnam
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
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