1
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Zhang J, Yang W, Li Z, Huang F, Zhang K. Multigenerational exposure of cadmium trans-generationally impairs locomotive and chemotactic behaviors in Caenorhabditis elegans. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 325:138432. [PMID: 36933370 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium is a naturally existing heavy metal and a notorious environmental pollutant. While its toxic outcomes and underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. To explore the behavioral change caused by multigenerational exposure of cadmium to C. elegans, we challenged the C. elegans with cadmium for six generations and observed its impact on animal behaviors. Wild-type worms were randomly divided into two groups, the control and cadmium exposure groups. Locomotive and chemotactic behaviors were observed across six generations. Head thrashing frequency, chemotaxis index, and fold change index were used to evaluate the neurotoxicity of multigenerational cadmium exposure. Multigenerational cadmium exposure can trans-generationally increase the head thrashing frequency of C. elegans during swimming, and impair the chemotactic behaviors to isoamyl alcohol, diacetyl, and 2-nonanone. Our findings proposed a trans-generationally behavioral impact induced by multigenerational cadmium exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhang
- Department of Forensic Pathology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Wenxing Yang
- Department of Physiology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Zhuo Li
- Department of Forensic Pathology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Feijun Huang
- Department of Forensic Pathology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Kui Zhang
- Department of Forensic Pathology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China.
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2
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Goel H, Goyal K, Pandey AK, Benjamin M, Khan F, Pandey P, Mittan S, Iqbal D, Alsaweed M, Alturaiki W, Madkhali Y, Kamal MA, Tanwar P, Upadhyay TK. Elucidations of Molecular Mechanism and Mechanistic Effects of Environmental Toxicants in Neurological Disorders. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2023; 22:84-97. [PMID: 35352654 DOI: 10.2174/1871527321666220329103610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Due to rising environmental and global public health concerns associated with environmental contamination, human populations are continually being exposed to environmental toxicants, including physical chemical mutagens widespread in our environment causing adverse consequences and inducing a variety of neurological disorders in humans. Physical mutagens comprise ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, such as UV rays, IR rays, X-rays, which produces a broad spectrum of neuronal destruction, including neuroinflammation, genetic instability, enhanced oxidative stress driving mitochondrial damage in the human neuronal antecedent cells, cognitive impairment due to alterations in neuronal function, especially in synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis repression, modifications in mature neuronal networks drives to enhanced neurodegenerative risk. Chemical Mutagens including alkylating agents (EMS, NM, MMS, and NTG), Hydroxylamine, nitrous acid, sodium azide, halouracils are the major toxic mutagen in our environment and have been associated with neurological disorders. These chemical mutagens create dimers of pyrimidine that cause DNA damage that leads to ROS generation producing mutations, chromosomal abnormalities, genotoxicity which leads to increased neurodegenerative risk. The toxicity of four heavy metal including Cd, As, Pb, Hg is mostly responsible for complicated neurological disorders in humans. Cadmium exposure can enhance the permeability of the BBB and penetrate the brain, driving brain intracellular accumulation, cellular dysfunction, and cerebral edema. Arsenic exerts its toxic effect by induction of ROS production in neuronal cells. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanism and mechanistic effects of mutagens in the environment and their role in multiple neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harsh Goel
- Department of Laboratory Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Keshav Goyal
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilians Universitat, Munchen, Germany
| | - Avanish Kumar Pandey
- Department of Laboratory Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Mercilena Benjamin
- Department of Laboratory Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Fahad Khan
- Department of Biotechnology, Noida Institute of Engineering & Technology, 19, Knowledge Park-II, Institutional Area, Greater Noida, India
| | - Pratibha Pandey
- Department of Biotechnology, Noida Institute of Engineering & Technology, 19, Knowledge Park-II, Institutional Area, Greater Noida, India
| | - Sandeep Mittan
- Department of Cardiology, Ichan School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, USA
| | - Danish Iqbal
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alsaweed
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wael Alturaiki
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yahya Madkhali
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Amjad Kamal
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh
- Enzymoics, 7 Peterlee Place, Hebersham NSW 2770, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Australia
| | - Pranay Tanwar
- Department of Laboratory Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Tarun Kumar Upadhyay
- Department of Biotechnology, Parul Institute of Applied Sciences and Cell Culture and Immunobiochemistry Lab, Centre of Research for Development, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat 391760, India
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3
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Parmar S, Sharma VK, Li T, Tang W, Li H. Fungal Seed Endophyte FZT214 Improves Dysphania ambrosioides Cd Tolerance Throughout Different Developmental Stages. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:783475. [PMID: 35058903 PMCID: PMC8764135 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.783475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Phytoremediation is a promising remediation method of heavy metal (HM)-contaminated soils. However, lower HM tolerance of metal accumulator inhibits its practical application and effects. The current study was aimed to illustrate the role of fungal seed endophyte (FZT214) in improving Dysphania ambrosioides Cd tolerance during different developmental stages under various Cd stresses (5, 15, 30 mg kg-1) by pot experiments. The results showed that FZT214 significantly (p < 0.05) improved the host plant's growth at the flowering and fruiting stage in most of the treatment, while at the growing stage the increase was less (p > 0.05). The seed yield was also improved (p < 0.05) in the FZT214-inoculated plants (E+) and induced early flowering was observed. Moreover, the inoculation also positively affected total chlorophyll content, antioxidant process, and lipid peroxidation in most of the treatments throughout three developmental stages. Not all but in most cases, IAA and GA were more in E+ plants while JA was more in the E- plants (non-inoculated plants) during three developmental stages. The results suggested that the colonization of FZT214 to the D. ambrosioides might trigger multiple and comprehensive protective strategies against Cd stress, which mainly include activation of the dilution effects, induced biochemical changes to overcome damage from Cd toxicity, and alteration of the endogenous phytohormones. FZT214 can find competent application in the future to improve the growth of other crop plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shobhika Parmar
- Medical School of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Vijay K. Sharma
- Medical School of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Tao Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Wenting Tang
- Medical School of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Haiyan Li
- Medical School of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
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4
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Boyle S, Kakouli-Duarte T. Differential gene expression in the insect pathogen Steinernema feltiae in response to chromium VI exposure in contaminated host cadavers. Comput Biol Chem 2020; 88:107331. [PMID: 32781309 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2020.107331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Boyle
- enviroCORE, Molecular Ecology and Nematode Research Group, Department of Science and Health, Institute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow, Ireland.
| | - Thomais Kakouli-Duarte
- enviroCORE, Molecular Ecology and Nematode Research Group, Department of Science and Health, Institute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow, Ireland
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5
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Uwizeyimana H, Wang M, Chen W, Khan K. Ecotoxicological effects of binary mixtures of siduron and Cd on mRNA expression in the earthworm Eisenia fetida. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 610-611:657-665. [PMID: 28822934 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.07.265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the eco-toxicological responses of earthworm (Eisenia fetida) exposed to combined siduron (herbicide) and cadmium (Cd). Eisenia fetida gene expressions including metallothionein (MT) and heat shock protein70 (Hsp70) were analyzed using real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction after individual and combined siduron (0.90, 1.80, 3.60 and 7.20μgcm-2) and Cd (0.225, 0.45, 0.90 and 1.80μgcm-2) sublethal exposures. Where, the nature of the toxicological interactions between siduron and Cd in inducing or suppressing MT and Hsp70 expression was determined by applying the Combination index (CI)-isobologram model. The results revealed significant variations in MT and weak changes in Hsp70 expression when the earthworms were exposed to individual Cd. The individual siduron exposure exhibited a significant down-regulation (p<0.01) in MT during all treatments and in Hsp70 expression only at 7.20μgcm-2 concentration; while the mixtures of siduron and Cd exposures resulted a significant down regulation (p<0.05) in both MT and Hsp70 expressions. Moreover, the combined siduron and Cd exposure revealed nearly additive effect (CI=1) at the lower effect levels and significant synergistic effect (CI<1) at the higher effect levels for both MT and Hsp70 expression. The synergistic effects of combined siduron and Cd suggest that there might be a potential risk connected to the co-occurrence of these chemicals in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herman Uwizeyimana
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China
| | - Meie Wang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China
| | - Weiping Chen
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China.
| | - Kifayatullah Khan
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; Department of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, University of Swat, Swat 19130, Pakistan
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6
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PMK-1 p38 MAPK promotes cadmium stress resistance, the expression of SKN-1/Nrf and DAF-16 target genes, and protein biosynthesis in Caenorhabditis elegans. Mol Genet Genomics 2017; 292:1341-1361. [PMID: 28766017 PMCID: PMC5682872 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-017-1351-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms of cadmium (Cd) resistance are complex and not sufficiently understood. The present study, therefore, aimed at assessing the roles of important components of stress-signaling pathways and of ABC transporters under severe Cd stress in Caenorhabditis elegans. Survival assays on mutant and control animals revealed a significant promotion of Cd resistance by the PMK-1 p38 MAP kinase, the transcription factor DAF-16/FoxO, and the ABC transporter MRP-1. Transcriptome profiling by RNA-Seq on wild type and a pmk-1 mutant under control and Cd stress conditions revealed, inter alia, a PMK-1-dependent promotion of gene expression for the translational machinery. PMK-1 also promoted the expression of target genes of the transcription factors SKN-1/Nrf and DAF-16 in Cd-stressed animals, which included genes for molecular chaperones or immune proteins. Gene expression studies by qRT-PCR confirmed the positive effects of PMK-1 on DAF-16 activity under Cd stress and revealed negative effects of DAF-16 on the expression of genes for MRP-1 and DAF-15/raptor. Additional studies on pmk-1 RNAi-treated wild type and mutant strains provided further information on the effects of PMK-1 on SKN-1 and DAF-16, which resulted in a model of these relationships. The results of this study demonstrate a central role of PMK-1 for the processing of cellular responses to abiotic and biotic stressors, with the promoting effects of PMK-1 on Cd resistance mostly mediated by the transcription factors SKN-1 and DAF-16.
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7
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Wang H, Engstrom AK, Xia Z. Cadmium impairs the survival and proliferation of cultured adult subventricular neural stem cells through activation of the JNK and p38 MAP kinases. Toxicology 2017; 380:30-37. [PMID: 28163110 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2017.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 01/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal with a long biological half-life in humans and is recognized as a toxic pollutant. Cd is also a potential neurotoxicant and its exposure is associated with olfactory impairment in humans. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms of Cd neurotoxicity are not well defined. Adult neurogenesis is a process that generates functional neurons from adult neural stem/progenitor cells (aNPCs). It occurs in specific regions of the adult brain including the subventricular zone (SVZ) along the lateral ventricles in mammals, a process that is critical for olfaction. Various external stimuli can modulate adult neurogenesis and the effect of neurotoxicants on adult neurogenesis is just beginning to be elucidated. Since Cd exposure can impair olfaction in humans, the goal of this study is to investigate the effects of Cd on SVZ adult neurogenesis and underlying mechanisms using primary cultured SVZ-aNPCs. In this study, we report that low-level Cd exposure decreases cell number, induces apoptosis, and inhibits cell proliferation in SVZ-aNPCs. Furthermore, Cd exposure significantly increases phosphorylation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAP kinase in these cells, indicative of JNK and p38 activation. Pharmacological inhibition of JNK or p38 MAPK kinases attenuated Cd-induced cell loss and apoptosis. Cd treatment did not cause cell loss or apoptosis in SVZ-aNPCs prepared from transgenic mice null for the neural-specific JNK3 isoform. These data suggest a critical role for p38 and JNK3 MAP kinases in Cd neurotoxicity. These results are, to our knowledge, the first demonstration that Cd impairs SVZ adult neurogenesis in vitro, which may contribute to its neurotoxicity in olfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Toxicology Program in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Science, University of Washington, United States
| | - Anna K Engstrom
- Toxicology Program in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Science, University of Washington, United States
| | - Zhengui Xia
- Toxicology Program in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Science, University of Washington, United States.
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8
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Ningjing H, Peng H, Hui Z, Xiaojing W, Aimei Z, Jihua L, Xuefa S. Geochemical source, deposition, and environmental risk assessment of cadmium in surface and core sediments from the Bohai Sea, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:827-843. [PMID: 27757750 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7800-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Geochemical sources, spatio-temporal distribution, and associated environmental risk of Cd in the Bohai Sea were investigated using data from 405 surface sediment samples and two sediment cores. Local point Cd sources, TOC content, and currents are the main controlling factors of Cd distribution. The contribution of Cd from river discharge surpasses that from atmospheric deposition. Sediment-quality guidelines, enrichment factors, and chemical fraction analysis were used to assess metal toxicity in the collected sediments. Results show that Bohai Sea sediments have a moderate Cd enrichment level. This enrichment poses a high risk due to the relatively high mobility and bioavailability of Cd despite measured levels below sediment-quality guidelines at most stations. Vertical profiles of Cd concentrations, Al-normalized enrichment factors, and excess burial fluxes combined with 210Pb dating reveal the history of Cd pollution in the Bohai Sea over the last century. Data show Cd unvaried before the 1800s, a slight increase from the 1800s to the late 1950s, a decrease from the late 1960s to the 1970s, and an increase from the 1980s to 2001, including a relatively high value in 1998. Historic variation in Cd is closely associated with both natural and anthropogenic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Ningjing
- First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao, 266061, China.
| | - Huang Peng
- Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Zhang Hui
- First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao, 266061, China
| | - Wang Xiaojing
- First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao, 266061, China
| | - Zhu Aimei
- First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao, 266061, China
| | - Liu Jihua
- First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao, 266061, China
| | - Shi Xuefa
- First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao, 266061, China
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9
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Zhang YW, Yan L, Huang L, Huang HQ. Cerebral ganglion ultrastructure and differential proteins revealed using proteomics in the aplysiid (Notarcus leachii cirrosus Stimpson) under cadmium and lead stress. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2016; 46:17-26. [PMID: 27414742 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2016.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are both highly toxic metals in environments. However the toxicological mechanism is not clear. In this study, the aplysiid, Notarcus leachii cirrosus Stimpson (NLCS) was subjected to Cd (NLCS-Cd) or Pb (NLCS-Pb). The cerebral ganglion of NLCS was investigated with a transmission electron microscope. Next the differential proteins were separated and identified using proteomic approaches. Eighteen protein spots in NLCS-Cd and seventeen protein spots in NLCS-Pb were observed to be significantly changed. These protein spots were further excised in gels and identified. A hypothetical pathway was drawn to show the correlation between the partially identified proteins. The results indicated that damage to the cerebral ganglion was follows: cell apoptosis, lysosomes proliferation, cytoskeleton disruption, and oxidative stress. These phenomena and data indicated potential biomarkers for evaluating the contamination levels of Cd and Pb. This study provided positive insights into the mechanisms of Cd and Pb toxicity.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Aplysia/drug effects
- Aplysia/metabolism
- Biomarkers/analysis
- Biomarkers/metabolism
- Cadmium/pharmacokinetics
- Cadmium/toxicity
- Ecotoxicology/methods
- Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
- Ganglia, Invertebrate/drug effects
- Ganglia, Invertebrate/metabolism
- Ganglia, Invertebrate/ultrastructure
- Lead/pharmacokinetics
- Lead/toxicity
- Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
- Proteins/analysis
- Proteins/metabolism
- Proteomics/methods
- Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
- Water Pollutants, Chemical/pharmacokinetics
- Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stress Cell Biology, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Li Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Stress Cell Biology, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Lin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Stress Cell Biology, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - He-Qing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Stress Cell Biology, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, School of Ocean and Earth Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, and the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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10
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Dietrich N, Tan CH, Cubillas C, Earley BJ, Kornfeld K. Insights into zinc and cadmium biology in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Arch Biochem Biophys 2016; 611:120-133. [PMID: 27261336 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2016.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/28/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Zinc is an essential metal that is involved in a wide range of biological processes, and aberrant zinc homeostasis is implicated in multiple human diseases. Cadmium is chemically similar to zinc, but it is a nonessential environmental pollutant. Because zinc deficiency and excess are deleterious, animals require homeostatic mechanisms to maintain zinc levels in response to dietary fluctuations. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is emerging as a powerful model system to investigate zinc trafficking and homeostasis as well as cadmium toxicity. Here we review genetic and molecular studies that have combined to generate a picture of zinc homeostasis based on the transcriptional control of zinc transporters in intestinal cells. Furthermore, we summarize studies of cadmium toxicity that reveal intriguing parallels with zinc biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Dietrich
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8103, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States.
| | - Chieh-Hsiang Tan
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8103, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Ciro Cubillas
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8103, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Brian James Earley
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8103, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Kerry Kornfeld
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8103, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
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11
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Malgieri G, Palmieri M, Russo L, Fattorusso R, Pedone PV, Isernia C. The prokaryotic zinc-finger: structure, function and comparison with the eukaryotic counterpart. FEBS J 2015; 282:4480-96. [PMID: 26365095 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Revised: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Classical zinc finger (ZF) domains were thought to be confined to the eukaryotic kingdom until the transcriptional regulator Ros protein was identified in Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The Ros Cys2 His2 ZF binds DNA in a peculiar mode and folds in a domain significantly larger than its eukaryotic counterpart consisting of 58 amino acids (the 9-66 region) arranged in a βββαα topology, and stabilized by a conserved, extensive, 15-residue hydrophobic core. The prokaryotic ZF domain, then, shows some intriguing new features that make it interestingly different from its eukaryotic counterpart. This review will focus on the prokaryotic ZFs, summarizing and discussing differences and analogies with the eukaryotic domains and providing important insights into their structure/function relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Malgieri
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, II University of Naples, Caserta, Italy
| | - Maddalena Palmieri
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, II University of Naples, Caserta, Italy
| | - Luigi Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, II University of Naples, Caserta, Italy
| | - Roberto Fattorusso
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, II University of Naples, Caserta, Italy.,Interuniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo V Pedone
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, II University of Naples, Caserta, Italy.,Interuniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Carla Isernia
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, II University of Naples, Caserta, Italy.,Interuniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
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12
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Agnihotri SK, Agrawal U, Ghosh I. Brain most susceptible to cadmium induced oxidative stress in mice. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2015; 30:184-93. [PMID: 25617233 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2014.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Accumulated evidence over the years indicate that cadmium (Cd) may be a possible etiological factor for neurodegenerative diseases. This may possibly be linked to excessive generation of free radicals that damages the organs in the body depending on their defence mechanism. Since Cd is a toxic agent that affect several cell types, the aim of this study was to shed light on the effect of Cd and its consequences on different organs of the mice body. To test the hypothesis of concentration dependent Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation and DNA damage, observations were done in the serum of 4-5 weeks old male Swiss albino mice by treating with cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in drinking water for 30 days. The expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) an apoptotic marker protein was two times higher in brain compared to liver at an exposure level of 0.5mgL(-1) CdCl2. Furthermore the correlation and linkage data analysis of antioxidant defence system revealed a rapid alteration in the brain, compared to any other organs considered in this study. We report that even at low dose of Cd, it impaired the brain due to lipid peroxidase sensitivity which favoured the Cd-induced oxidative injury in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep K Agnihotri
- Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Laboratory # 103, School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Usha Agrawal
- National Institute of Pathology, Safdarjang Hospital Campus, Post Box No 4909, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Ilora Ghosh
- Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Laboratory # 103, School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India.
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13
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Inokuchi A, Yamamoto R, Morita F, Takumi S, Matsusaki H, Ishibashi H, Tominaga N, Arizono K. Effects of lithium on growth, maturation, reproduction and gene expression in the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans. J Appl Toxicol 2015; 35:999-1006. [DOI: 10.1002/jat.3058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Revised: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Inokuchi
- Graduate School of Environmental and Symbiotic Science; Prefectural University of Kumamoto; 3-1-100 Tsukide Kumamoto 862-8502 Japan
| | - Ryoko Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Environmental and Symbiotic Science; Prefectural University of Kumamoto; 3-1-100 Tsukide Kumamoto 862-8502 Japan
| | - Fumiyo Morita
- Graduate School of Environmental and Symbiotic Science; Prefectural University of Kumamoto; 3-1-100 Tsukide Kumamoto 862-8502 Japan
| | - Shota Takumi
- Faculty of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences; Prefectural University of Kumamoto; 3-1-100 Tsukide Kumamoto 862-8502 Japan
| | - Hiromi Matsusaki
- Faculty of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences; Prefectural University of Kumamoto; 3-1-100 Tsukide Kumamoto 862-8502 Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ishibashi
- Department of Food and Nutrition; Shokei University Junior College; Kuhonji 2-6-78 Kumamoto 862-8678 Japan
| | - Nobuaki Tominaga
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; Ariake National College of Technology; 150 Higashi-hagio-machi, Omuta Fukuoka 836-8585 Japan
| | - Koji Arizono
- Faculty of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences; Prefectural University of Kumamoto; 3-1-100 Tsukide Kumamoto 862-8502 Japan
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14
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Roh HC, Dimitrov I, Deshmukh K, Zhao G, Warnhoff K, Cabrera D, Tsai W, Kornfeld K. A modular system of DNA enhancer elements mediates tissue-specific activation of transcription by high dietary zinc in C. elegans. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 43:803-16. [PMID: 25552416 PMCID: PMC4333406 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku1360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc is essential for biological systems, and aberrant zinc metabolism is implicated in a broad range of human diseases. To maintain homeostasis in response to fluctuating levels of dietary zinc, animals regulate gene expression; however, mechanisms that mediate the transcriptional response to fluctuating levels of zinc have not been fully defined. Here, we identified DNA enhancer elements that mediate intestine-specific transcriptional activation in response to high levels of dietary zinc in C. elegans. Using bioinformatics, we characterized an evolutionarily conserved enhancer element present in multiple zinc-inducible genes, the high zinc activation (HZA) element. The HZA was consistently adjacent to a GATA element that mediates expression in intestinal cells. Functional studies using transgenic animals demonstrated that this modular system of DNA enhancers mediates tissue-specific transcriptional activation in response to high levels of dietary zinc. We used this information to search the genome and successfully identified novel zinc-inducible genes. To characterize the mechanism of enhancer function, we demonstrated that the GATA transcription factor ELT-2 and the mediator subunit MDT-15 are necessary for zinc-responsive transcriptional activation. These findings define new mechanisms of zinc homeostasis and tissue-specific regulation of transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Cheol Roh
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ivan Dimitrov
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Krupa Deshmukh
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Guoyan Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kurt Warnhoff
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Daniel Cabrera
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Wendy Tsai
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kerry Kornfeld
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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15
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Malgieri G, Palmieri M, Esposito S, Maione V, Russo L, Baglivo I, de Paola I, Milardi D, Diana D, Zaccaro L, Pedone PV, Fattorusso R, Isernia C. Zinc to cadmium replacement in the prokaryotic zinc-finger domain. Metallomics 2014; 6:96-104. [PMID: 24287553 DOI: 10.1039/c3mt00208j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Given the similar chemical properties of zinc and cadmium, zinc finger domains have been often proposed as mediators of the toxic and carcinogenic effects exerted by this xenobiotic metal. The effects of zinc replacement by cadmium in different eukaryotic zinc fingers have been reported. In the present work, to evaluate the effects of such substitution in the prokaryotic zinc finger, we report a detailed study of its functional and structural consequences on the Ros DNA binding domain (Ros87). We show that this protein, which bears important structural differences with respect to the eukaryotic domains, appears to structurally tolerate the zinc to cadmium substitution and the presence of cadmium does not affect the DNA binding activity of the protein. Moreover, we show for the first time how zinc to cadmium replacement can also take place in a cellular context. Our findings both complement and extend previous results obtained for different eukaryotic zinc fingers, suggesting that metal substitution in zinc fingers may be of relevance to the toxicity and/or carcinogenicity mechanisms of this metal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Malgieri
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy.
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16
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Ilijin L, Vlahović M, Mrdaković M, Mirčić D, Todorović D, Lazarević J, Perić-Mataruga V. Responses of PTTH-producing neurosecretory neurons in Lymantria dispar caterpillars exposed to cadmium. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2014; 29:770-779. [PMID: 22865483 DOI: 10.1002/tox.21804] [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: 08/08/2011] [Revised: 07/04/2012] [Accepted: 07/15/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Lymantria dispar, as most invasive insect species, is very adaptable and reacts quickly to changing environment. Neuroendocrine system first reacts to stress in insects, and specific neurohormonal reorganization may be used in early heavy metal risk assessment. Prothoracicotropic neurohormones (PTTH) control ecdysteroid synthesis (morphogenetic and stress hormones) in insects. In this article, we report the presence of PTTH immunoreactive molecules in L2' dorsolateral neurosecretory neurons (nsn) in caterpillar brains and changes after exposure to pollutant stress of different intensity. For 3 days, after molting into the 4th instar, caterpillars of Lymantria dispar were fed with a high wheat germ diet without (control) or with added cadmium (experimental groups: 10, 30, 100, 250 μg Cd/g dry food weight). Changes in PTTH producing L2' nsn and differences in the intensity of protein bands in the region of PTTH molecular mass (Mr 11-15 kDa) were analyzed. The number of L2' neurons tended to decrease except in the group given the highest cadmium concentration (250 μg). The neurons were enlarged after acute treatment especially in the group given the highest cadmium concentration. The size of L2' nsn nuclei was decreased only in the group fed with 30 μg Cd. Protein band intensity in the Mr region of PTTH remained unchanged in all groups except for the group given the diet with the highest Cd concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisa Ilijin
- Department of Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Belgrade, Institute for Biological Research, Siniša Stanković, Despot Stefan Blvd.142, Belgrade 11060, Serbia
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17
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Toxicogenomic and signaling pathway analysis of low-dose exposure to cadmium chloride in rat liver. Mol Cell Toxicol 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s13273-013-0050-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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18
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VanDuyn N, Nass R. The putative multidrug resistance protein MRP-7 inhibits methylmercury-associated animal toxicity and dopaminergic neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans. J Neurochem 2013; 128:962-74. [PMID: 24266639 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Revised: 10/17/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative motor disorder worldwide, and results in the progressive loss of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Gene-environment interactions are believed to play a significant role in the vast majority of PD cases, yet the toxicants and the associated genes involved in the neuropathology are largely ill-defined. Recent epidemiological and biochemical evidence suggests that methylmercury (MeHg) may be an environmental toxicant that contributes to the development of PD. Here, we report that a gene coding for the putative multidrug resistance protein MRP-7 in Caenorhabditis elegans modulates whole animal and DA neuron sensitivity to MeHg. In this study, we demonstrate that genetic knockdown of MRP-7 results in a twofold increase in Hg levels and a dramatic increase in stress response proteins associated with the endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, and mitochondria, as well as an increase in MeHg-associated animal death. Chronic exposure to low concentrations of MeHg induces MRP-7 gene expression, while exposures in MRP-7 genetic knockdown animals results in a loss of DA neuron integrity without affecting whole animal viability. Furthermore, transgenic animals expressing a fluorescent reporter behind the endogenous MRP-7 promoter indicate that the transporter is expressed in DA neurons. These studies show for the first time that a multidrug resistance protein is expressed in DA neurons, and its expression inhibits MeHg-associated DA neuron pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia VanDuyn
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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19
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McElwee MK, Ho LA, Chou JW, Smith MV, Freedman JH. Comparative toxicogenomic responses of mercuric and methyl-mercury. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:698. [PMID: 24118919 PMCID: PMC3870996 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mercury is a ubiquitous environmental toxicant that exists in multiple chemical forms. A paucity of information exists regarding the differences or similarities by which different mercurials act at the molecular level. Results Transcriptomes of mixed-stage C. elegans following equitoxic sub-, low- and high-toxicity exposures to inorganic mercuric chloride (HgCl2) and organic methylmercury chloride (MeHgCl) were analyzed. In C. elegans, the mercurials had highly different effects on transcription, with MeHgCl affecting the expression of significantly more genes than HgCl2. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that inorganic and organic mercurials affected different biological processes. RNAi identified 18 genes that were important in C. elegans response to mercurial exposure, although only two of these genes responded to both mercurials. To determine if the responses observed in C. elegans were evolutionarily conserved, the two mercurials were investigated in human neuroblastoma (SK-N-SH), hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. The human homologs of the affected C. elegans genes were then used to test the effects on gene expression and cell viability after using siRNA during HgCl2 and MeHgCl exposure. As was observed with C. elegans, exposure to the HgCl2 and MeHgCl had different effects on gene expression, and different genes were important in the cellular response to the two mercurials. Conclusions These results suggest that, contrary to previous reports, inorganic and organic mercurials have different mechanisms of toxicity. The two mercurials induced disparate effects on gene expression, and different genes were important in protecting the organism from mercurial toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew K McElwee
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Pharmacology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, 111 T,W Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, P,O, Box 12233, 27709 Durham, NC, USA.
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20
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Pauwels M, Frérot H, Souleman D, Vandenbulcke F. Using biomarkers in an evolutionary context: lessons from the analysis of biological responses of oligochaete annelids to metal exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2013; 179:343-350. [PMID: 23707006 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2013.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Revised: 04/27/2013] [Accepted: 05/01/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities may lead to the accumulation of inorganic and organic compounds in topsoils. Biota living in close contact with contaminated soils may experience stress at different levels of biological organization throughout the continuum from molecular to community level. Biological responses observed at the individual or infra-individual level of biological organization led to the development of biomarkers. The development of biomarkers consists often in evidencing biological modifications following a contaminant stress in laboratory conditions, using naïve organisms and it is sometime proposed to use the biological state of individuals from sentinel species collected in the field to evaluate the level of environmental exposure. However, considering the possibility of local adaptation following long-term exposure, organisms response sampled in the field may substantially differ from laboratory specimens. In this review, we discuss this point focusing on the definition and validity of molecular biomarkers of metal pollution using earthworms of the Lumbricidae family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Pauwels
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Evolution des Populations Végétales, UMR CNRS 8198, Université Lille Nord de France, Bâtiment SN2, F-59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
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21
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Sahu SN, Lewis J, Patel I, Bozdag S, Lee JH, Sprando R, Cinar HN. Genomic analysis of stress response against arsenic in Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66431. [PMID: 23894281 PMCID: PMC3722197 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2012] [Accepted: 05/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Arsenic, a known human carcinogen, is widely distributed around the world and found in particularly high concentrations in certain regions including Southwestern US, Eastern Europe, India, China, Taiwan and Mexico. Chronic arsenic poisoning affects millions of people worldwide and is associated with increased risk of many diseases including arthrosclerosis, diabetes and cancer. In this study, we explored genome level global responses to high and low levels of arsenic exposure in Caenorhabditis elegans using Affymetrix expression microarrays. This experimental design allows us to do microarray analysis of dose-response relationships of global gene expression patterns. High dose (0.03%) exposure caused stronger global gene expression changes in comparison with low dose (0.003%) exposure, suggesting a positive dose-response correlation. Biological processes such as oxidative stress, and iron metabolism, which were previously reported to be involved in arsenic toxicity studies using cultured cells, experimental animals, and humans, were found to be affected in C. elegans. We performed genome-wide gene expression comparisons between our microarray data and publicly available C. elegans microarray datasets of cadmium, and sediment exposure samples of German rivers Rhine and Elbe. Bioinformatics analysis of arsenic-responsive regulatory networks were done using FastMEDUSA program. FastMEDUSA analysis identified cancer-related genes, particularly genes associated with leukemia, such as dnj-11, which encodes a protein orthologous to the mammalian ZRF1/MIDA1/MPP11/DNAJC2 family of ribosome-associated molecular chaperones. We analyzed the protective functions of several of the identified genes using RNAi. Our study indicates that C. elegans could be a substitute model to study the mechanism of metal toxicity using high-throughput expression data and bioinformatics tools such as FastMEDUSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surasri N. Sahu
- Division of Virulence Assessment, Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, United States of America
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Jada Lewis
- Division of Molecular Biology, Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Isha Patel
- Division of Molecular Biology, Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Serdar Bozdag
- Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Jeong H. Lee
- Division of Virulence Assessment, Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, United States of America
- Kyungpook National University (KNU), Daegu, South Korea
| | - Robert Sprando
- Division of Toxicology, Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail: (RS); (HNC)
| | - Hediye Nese Cinar
- Division of Virulence Assessment, Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail: (RS); (HNC)
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22
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Hall J, Haas KL, Freedman JH. Role of MTL-1, MTL-2, and CDR-1 in mediating cadmium sensitivity in Caenorhabditis elegans. Toxicol Sci 2012; 128:418-26. [PMID: 22552775 PMCID: PMC3493192 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfs166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2012] [Revised: 04/26/2012] [Accepted: 04/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadmium is an environmental toxicant whose exposure is associated with multiple human pathologies. To prevent cadmium-induced toxicity, organisms produce a variety of detoxification molecules. In response to cadmium, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans increases the steady-state levels of several hundred genes, including two metallothioneins, mtl-1 and mtl-2, and the cadmium-specific response gene, cdr-1. Despite the presumed importance in metal detoxification of mtl-1 and mtl-2, knockdown of their expression does not increase cadmium hypersensitivity, which suggests that these genes are not required for resistance to metal toxicity in C. elegans. To determine whether cdr-1 is critical in metal detoxification and compensates for the loss of mtl-1 and/or mtl-2, C. elegans strains were generated in which one, two, and all three genes were deleted, and the effects of cadmium on brood size, embryonic lethality, the Bag phenotype, and growth were determined. Growth at low cadmium concentrations was the only endpoint in which the triple mutant displayed more sensitivity than the single and double mutants. A lack of hypersensitivity in these strains suggests that other factors may be involved in the response to cadmium. Caenorhabditis elegans produces phytochelatins (PCs) that are critical in the defense against cadmium toxicity. PC levels in wild type, cdr-1 single, mtl-1, mtl-2 double, and triple mutants were measured. PC levels were constitutively higher in the mtl-1, mtl-2 double, and triple mutants compared with wild type. Following cadmium exposure, PC levels increased. The lack of cadmium hypersensitivity when these genes are deleted may be attributed to the compensatory effects of increases in PCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathryn L. Haas
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Pharmacology, National Institute of EnvironmentalHealth Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
| | - Jonathan H. Freedman
- Biomolecular Screening Branch and
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Pharmacology, National Institute of EnvironmentalHealth Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
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Roh HC, Collier S, Guthrie J, Robertson JD, Kornfeld K. Lysosome-related organelles in intestinal cells are a zinc storage site in C. elegans. Cell Metab 2012; 15:88-99. [PMID: 22225878 PMCID: PMC4026189 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2011.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2010] [Revised: 10/03/2011] [Accepted: 12/02/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Zinc is an essential trace element involved in many biological processes and human diseases. Because zinc deficiency and excess are deleterious, animals require homeostatic mechanisms to maintain zinc levels in response to dietary fluctuations. Here, we demonstrate that lysosome-related organelles in intestinal cells of C. elegans, called gut granules, function as the major site of zinc storage. Zinc storage in gut granules promotes detoxification and subsequent mobilization, linking cellular and organismal zinc metabolism. The cation diffusion facilitator protein CDF-2 plays a critical role in this process by transporting zinc into gut granules. In response to high dietary zinc, gut granules displayed structural changes characterized by a bilobed morphology with asymmetric distributions of zinc and molecular markers. We defined a genetic pathway that mediates the formation of bilobed morphology. These findings elucidate mechanisms of zinc storage, detoxification, and mobilization in C. elegans and may be relevant to other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Cheol Roh
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Sara Collier
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - James Guthrie
- Research Reactor Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - J. David Robertson
- Research Reactor Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Kerry Kornfeld
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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24
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McElwee MK, Freedman JH. Comparative toxicology of mercurials in Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2011; 30:2135-2141. [PMID: 21692103 PMCID: PMC3152674 DOI: 10.1002/etc.603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2011] [Revised: 05/05/2011] [Accepted: 06/08/2011] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal that can exist in multiple chemical species. Humans are commonly exposed to methylmercury and Hg vapor, which are converted to mercuric species in the body. Despite years of research, little information exists on the similarities and differences in the mechanisms of Hg toxicity. The relative toxicity of mercuric chloride (HgCl(2)) and methylmercury chloride (MeHgCl) in Caenorhabditis elegans was determined in assays that measured growth, feeding, reproduction, and locomotion. The effect of HgCl(2) and MeHgCl on the expression of several archetypal stress-response genes was also determined. There was no significant difference between the EC50s of the two mercurials in terms of C. elegans growth. However, MeHgCl was more toxic to C. elegans than HgCl(2) when assessing feeding, movement, and reproduction, all of which require proper neuromuscular activity. Methylmercury chloride exposure resulted in increased steady-state levels of the stress response genes at lower concentrations than HgCl(2). In general, MeHgCl was more toxic to C. elegans than HgCl(2), particularly when assaying behaviors that require neuromuscular function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan H. Freedman
- Corresponding Author: Jonathan H. Freedman Laboratory of Toxicology and Pharmacology National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Mail Drop E1-05 P.O. Box 12233 111 T.W. Alexander Drive Research Triangle Park, NC, USA 27709 Tel. 919-541-7899 Fax. 919-541-5737
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25
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Höckner M, Dallinger R, Stürzenbaum SR. Nematode and snail metallothioneins. J Biol Inorg Chem 2011; 16:1057-65. [PMID: 21822727 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-011-0826-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2011] [Accepted: 07/25/2011] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Metallobiologists have, at large, neglected soil dwelling invertebrates; exceptions are the nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans) and snails (Helix pomatia and Cantareus aspersus). This review aims to compare and contrast the molecular, protein and cellular mechanisms of the multifunctional nematode and snail metallothioneins (MTs). The C. elegans genome contains two MT genes, mtl-1, which is constitutively expressed in the pharynx and likely to act as an essential and/or toxic metal sensor, and mtl-2, which plays a negligible role under normal physiological conditions but is strongly induced (as mtl-1) in intestinal cells upon metal exposure. It has been possible to follow the intricate phenotypic responses upon the knockdown/knockout of single and multiple MT isoforms and we have started to decipher the multifunctional role of C. elegans MTs. The snails have contributed to our understanding regarding MT evolution and diversity, structure and metal-specific functionality. The H. pomatia and C. aspersus genomes contain at least three MT isoform genes. CdMT is responsible for cadmium detoxification, CuMT is involved in copper homeostasis and Cd/CuMT is a putative ancestral MT possibly only of minor importance in metal metabolism. Further investigations of nematode, snail and other invertebrate MTs will allow the development of alternative biomarker approaches and lead to an improved understanding of metallobiology, protein evolution and toxicogenomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Höckner
- Institute of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
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26
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Jeong SW, Kim HL, Seo YR. Microarray analysis of global gene expression in Caenorhabditis elegans exposed to potassium dichromate. BIOCHIP JOURNAL 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s13206-011-5208-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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27
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Histidine protects against zinc and nickel toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS Genet 2011; 7:e1002013. [PMID: 21455490 PMCID: PMC3063764 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2010] [Accepted: 01/10/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc is an essential trace element involved in a wide range of biological
processes and human diseases. Zinc excess is deleterious, and animals require
mechanisms to protect against zinc toxicity. To identify genes that modulate
zinc tolerance, we performed a forward genetic screen for Caenorhabditis
elegans mutants that were resistant to zinc toxicity. Here we
demonstrate that mutations of the C. elegans histidine ammonia
lyase (haly-1) gene promote zinc tolerance. C. elegans
haly-1 encodes a protein that is homologous to vertebrate HAL, an
enzyme that converts histidine to urocanic acid. haly-1 mutant
animals displayed elevated levels of histidine, indicating that C.
elegans HALY-1 protein is an enzyme involved in histidine
catabolism. These results suggest the model that elevated histidine chelates
zinc and thereby reduces zinc toxicity. Supporting this hypothesis, we
demonstrated that dietary histidine promotes zinc tolerance. Nickel is another
metal that binds histidine with high affinity. We demonstrated that
haly-1 mutant animals are resistant to nickel toxicity and
dietary histidine promotes nickel tolerance in wild-type animals. These studies
identify a novel role for haly-1 and histidine in zinc
metabolism and may be relevant for other animals. Zinc is an essential nutrient that is critical for human health. However, excess
zinc can cause toxicity, indicating that regulatory mechanisms are necessary to
maintain homeostasis. The analysis of mechanisms that promote zinc homeostasis
can elucidate fundamental regulatory processes and suggest new approaches for
treating disorders of zinc metabolism. To discover genes that modulate zinc
tolerance, we screened for C. elegans mutants that were
resistant to zinc toxicity. Here we demonstrate that mutations of the histidine
ammonia lyase (haly-1) gene promote zinc tolerance.
haly-1 encodes a protein that is similar to vertebrate HAL,
an enzyme that converts histidine to urocanic acid. Mutations in the human HAL
gene cause elevated levels of serum histidine and abnormal zinc metabolism.
Mutations in C. elegans haly-1 cause elevated levels of
histidine, suggesting that histidine causes resistance to excess zinc.
Consistent with this hypothesis, we demonstrated that dietary histidine promoted
tolerance to excess zinc in wild-type worms. Mutations in
haly-1 and supplemental dietary histidine also caused
resistance to nickel, another metal that can bind histidine. A likely mechanism
of protection is chelation of zinc and nickel by histidine. These studies
suggest that histidine plays a physiological role in zinc metabolism.
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Jeong SW, Seo YR. Transcriptomic analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans exposed to nickel (II) acetate using microarray. BIOCHIP JOURNAL 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s13206-011-5112-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Wang X, Chang L, Sun Z, Zhang Y, Yao L. Analysis of earthworm Eisenia fetida
proteomes during cadmium exposure: An ecotoxicoproteomics approach. Proteomics 2010; 10:4476-90. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201000209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Gupta RS, Ahnn J. Cadmium‐induced gene expression is regulated by MTF‐1, a key metal‐responsive transcription factor. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1080/12265071.2003.9647702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ronojoy Sen Gupta
- a Department of Life Science and Biotechnology , Jadavpur University , Calcutta , 700032 , India Phone: E-mail:
| | - Joohong Ahnn
- b Department of Life Science , Kwangju Institute of Science and Technology , Gwangju , 500–712 , Korea
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31
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Vanduyn N, Settivari R, Wong G, Nass R. SKN-1/Nrf2 inhibits dopamine neuron degeneration in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of methylmercury toxicity. Toxicol Sci 2010; 118:613-24. [PMID: 20855423 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfq285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure from occupational, environmental, and food sources is a significant threat to public health. MeHg poisonings in adults may result in severe psychological and neurological deficits, and in utero exposures can confer embryonic defects and developmental delays. Recent epidemiological and vertebrate studies suggest that MeHg exposure may also contribute to dopamine (DA) neuron vulnerability and the propensity to develop Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, we describe a Caenorhabditis elegans model of MeHg toxicity that shows that low, chronic exposure confers embryonic defects, developmental delays, decreases in brood size and animal viability, and DA neuron degeneration. Toxicant exposure results in the robust induction of the glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) gst-4 and gst-38 that are largely dependent on the PD-associated phase II antioxidant transcription factor SKN-1/Nrf2. We also demonstrate that the expression of SKN-1, a protein previously localized to a small subset of chemosensory neurons and intestinal cells in the nematode, is also expressed in the DA neurons, and a reduction in SKN-1 gene expression increases MeHg-induced animal vulnerability and DA neuron degeneration. These studies recapitulate fundamental hallmarks of MeHg-induced mammalian toxicity, identify a key molecular regulator of toxicant-associated whole-animal and DA neuron vulnerability, and suggest that the nematode will be a useful in vivo tool to identify and characterize mediators of MeHg-induced developmental and DA neuron pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Vanduyn
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA
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Wang X, Chang L, Sun Z, Ma H. Characterization of genes expressed in response to cadmium exposure in the earthworm Eisenia fetida using DDRT-PCR. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2010; 73:1214-1220. [PMID: 20674023 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2010.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2009] [Revised: 07/04/2010] [Accepted: 07/14/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The transition metal cadmium is a pervasive and persistent environmental contaminant that is both a human toxicant and a carcinogen. To inhibit cadmium-induced damage, cells increase the expression of genes encoding stress-response proteins. The transcription of many stress-responsive genes, including those that encode metallothioneins, glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) and heat shock proteins have been reported. The aim of this work was to investigate in Eisenia fetida the genes whose expressions are regulated following exposure to cadmium. mRNA differential display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze gene expression in E. fetida exposed to 50mg/l cadmium solution. Among the derived cDNA clones sequenced, we found 15 genes up-regulated and 12 down-regulated in response to cadmium exposure. The translated amino acid sequences of eight clones were similar to the Lumbricus terrestris hemoglobin dodecamer, Tribolium castaneum membrane protein, Escherichia coli UMN026 DNA-binding transcriptional activator, Brugia malayi immunoglobulin, Homo sapiens cell growth-inhibiting protein, Apis mellifera poly U binding factor, Escherichia fergusonii copper transporter, and the mRNA that encodes E. coli K-12 cytoplasmic insertase into membrane protein. Five cDNA fragments presented no homology with known gene sequences, suggesting that these sequences may either encode proteins not yet identified or correspond to untranslated regions of mRNA molecules. In-depth functional analyses of these genes are needed to reveal their exact roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University,100193 Beijing, PR China.
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Brulle F, Morgan AJ, Cocquerelle C, Vandenbulcke F. Transcriptomic underpinning of toxicant-mediated physiological function alterations in three terrestrial invertebrate taxa: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2010; 158:2793-2808. [PMID: 20619942 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2010.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2010] [Revised: 06/09/2010] [Accepted: 06/12/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Diverse anthropogenic activities often lead to the accumulation of inorganic and organic residues in topsoils. Biota living in close contact with contaminated soils may experience stress at different levels of biological organisation throughout the continuum from the molecular-genetic to ecological and community levels. To date, the relationship between changes at the molecular (mRNA expression) and biochemical/physiological levels evoked by exposures to chemical compounds has been partially established in a limited number of terrestrial invertebrate species. Recently, the advent of a family of transcriptomic tools (e.g. Real-time PCR, Subtractive Suppressive Hybridization, Expressed Sequence Tag sequencing, pyro-sequencing technologies, Microarray chips), together with supporting informatic and statistical procedures, have permitted the robust analyses of global gene expression changes within an ecotoxicological context. This review focuses on how transcriptomics is enlightening our understanding of the molecular-genetic responses of three contrasting terrestrial macroinvertebrate taxa (nematodes, earthworms, and springtails) to inorganics, organics, and agrochemicals.
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Dangre AJ, Manning S, Brouwer M. Effects of cadmium on hypoxia-induced expression of hemoglobin and erythropoietin in larval sheepshead minnow, Cyprinodon variegatus. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2010; 99:168-175. [PMID: 20447699 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2010.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2010] [Revised: 04/12/2010] [Accepted: 04/17/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia and toxic metals are two common stressors found in the estuarine environment. To date little information is available on the combined effects of these stressors on early larval development in fish. We investigated the effect of cadmium and hypoxia exposure alone as well in combination on larval Cyprinodon variegatus. The LC(10) for cadmium was determined to be 0.3 ppm in a 96 h acute exposure. This concentration was used in all studies. Cadmium in larvae increased significantly with exposure time (1, 3, 5 and 7 days post-hatch). The increase was proportional to body weight and not affected by hypoxia. Cadmium responsive genes were identified by suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) in Cyprinodon variegatus larvae after exposure to cadmium for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days. We obtained over 700 sequences from the cadmium cDNA library. Blast search of ESTs suggested that cadmium modulates multiple physiological processes. Pertinent to this study, cadmium was found to down-regulate both embryonic alpha and beta globin, which are expressed in erythrocytes generated during the first, or primitive, wave of erythropoiesis in teleosts. Hemoglobin (Hb) and erythropoietin (Epo) (the hormone that promotes red blood cell production) are known hypoxia-inducible genes. To explore the possibility that cadmium might offset the hypoxia-induced expression of Hb and Epo, we investigated the expression of both genes following hypoxia, cadmium and combined exposures for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days post-hatch. Since Epo had not yet been identified in C. variegatus we first successfully cloned a partial coding sequence of the C. variegatus hormone. Subsequent studies revealed that expression levels of Hb and Epo remained unchanged in the normoxic controls during the time course of the study. Hypoxia increased Epo expression relative to normoxic controls, on days 3, 5 and 7, while cadmium in hypoxia inhibited the increase. Only the changes on days 5 and 7 were statistically significant. Hypoxia also lead to a modest, but significant induction of Hb after 5 days. However, in spite of the Cd-induced down-regulation of Epo on day 5, Cd did not affect the hypoxia-induced expression of embryonic Hb at this time point. It appears therefore that Epo has only limited effect on primitive erythropoiesis in C. variegatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Dangre
- Department of Coastal Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, USA
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35
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DNA microarray analysis of gene expression profiles in Caenorhabditis elegans exposed to cadmium. BIOCHIP JOURNAL 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s13206-010-4106-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Boyd WA, Crocker TL, Rodriguez AM, Leung MCK, Lehmann DW, Freedman JH, Van Houten B, Meyer JN. Nucleotide excision repair genes are expressed at low levels and are not detectably inducible in Caenorhabditis elegans somatic tissues, but their function is required for normal adult life after UVC exposure. Mutat Res 2010; 683:57-67. [PMID: 19879883 PMCID: PMC2799044 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2009.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2009] [Revised: 10/06/2009] [Accepted: 10/16/2009] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
We performed experiments to characterize the inducibility of nucleotide excision repair (NER) in Caenorhabditis elegans, and to examine global gene expression in NER-deficient and -proficient strains as well as germline vs. somatic tissues, with and without genotoxic stress. We also carried out experiments to elucidate the importance of NER in the adult life of C. elegans under genotoxin-stressed and control conditions. Adult lifespan was not detectably different between wild-type and NER-deficient xpa-1 nematodes under control conditions. However, exposure to 6J/m(2)/day of ultraviolet C radiation (UVC) decreased lifespan in xpa-1 nematodes more than a dose of 100 J/m(2)/day in wild-type. Similar differential sensitivities were observed for adult size and feeding. Remarkably, global gene expression was nearly identical in young adult wild-type and xpa-1 nematodes, both in control conditions and 3h after exposure to 50 J/m(2) UVC. Neither NER genes nor repair activity were detectably inducible in young adults that lacked germ cells and developing embryos (glp-1 strain). However, expression levels of dozens of NER and other DNA damage response genes were much (5-30-fold) lower in adults lacking germ cells and developing embryos, suggesting that somatic and post-mitotic cells have a much lower DNA repair ability. Finally, we describe a refinement of our DNA damage assay that allows damage measurement in single nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Windy A. Boyd
- Biomolecular Screening Branch, National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Tracey L. Crocker
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Ana M. Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | - D. Wade Lehmann
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Jonathan H. Freedman
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Ben Van Houten
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Joel N. Meyer
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
- Address correspondence to: Joel N. Meyer
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Bofill R, Orihuela R, Romagosa M, Domènech J, Atrian S, Capdevila M. Caenorhabditis elegans metallothionein isoform specificity--metal binding abilities and the role of histidine in CeMT1 and CeMT2. FEBS J 2009; 276:7040-56. [PMID: 19860833 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.07417.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Two metallothionein (MT) isoforms have been identified in the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans: CeMT1 and CeMT2, comprising two polypeptides that are 75 and 63 residues in length, respectively. Both isoforms encompass a conserved cysteine pattern (19 in CeMT1 and 18 in CeMT2) and, most significantly, as a result of their coordinative potential, CeMT1 includes four histidines, whereas CeMT2 has only one. In the present study, we present a comprehensive and comparative analysis of the metal [Zn(II), Cd(II) and Cu(I)] binding abilities of CeMT1 and CeMT2, performed through spectroscopic and spectrometric characterization of the recombinant metal-MT complexes synthesized for wild-type isoforms (CeMT1 and CeMT2), their separate N- and C-terminal moieties (NtCeMT1, CtCeMT1, NtCeMT2 and CtCeMT2) and a DeltaHisCeMT2 mutant. The corresponding in vitro Zn/Cd- and Zn/Cu-replacement and acidification/renaturalization processes have also been studied, as well as protein modification strategies that make it possible to identify and quantify the contribution of the histidine residues to metal coordination. Overall, the data obtained in the present study are consistent with a scenario where both isoforms exhibit a clear preference for divalent metal ion binding, rather than for Cu coordination, although this preference is more pronounced towards cadmium for CeMT2, whereas it is markedly clearer towards Zn for CeMT1. The presence of histidines in these MTs is revealed to be decisive for their coordination performance. In CeMT1, they contribute to the binding of a seventh Zn(II) ion in relation to the M(II)(6)-CeMT2 complexes, both when synthesized in the presence of supplemented Zn(II) or Cd(II). In CeMT2, the unique C-terminal histidine abolishes the Cu-thionein character that this isoform would otherwise exhibit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Bofill
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
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Nandakumar M, Tan MW. Gamma-linolenic and stearidonic acids are required for basal immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans through their effects on p38 MAP kinase activity. PLoS Genet 2008; 4:e1000273. [PMID: 19023415 PMCID: PMC2581601 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1000273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2008] [Accepted: 10/20/2008] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) form a class of essential micronutrients that play a vital role in development, cardiovascular health, and immunity. The influence of lipids on the immune response is both complex and diverse, with multiple studies pointing to the beneficial effects of long-chain fatty acids in immunity. However, the mechanisms through which PUFAs modulate innate immunity and the effects of PUFA deficiencies on innate immune functions remain to be clarified. Using the Caenorhabditis elegans-Pseudomonas aeruginosa host-pathogen system, we present genetic evidence that a Delta6-desaturase FAT-3, through its two 18-carbon products--gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3n6) and stearidonic acid (SDA, 18:4n3), but not the 20-carbon PUFAs arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n3)--is required for basal innate immunity in vivo. Deficiencies in GLA and SDA result in increased susceptibility to bacterial infection, which is associated with reduced basal expression of a number of immune-specific genes--including spp-1, lys-7, and lys-2--that encode antimicrobial peptides. GLA and SDA are required to maintain basal activity of the p38 MAP kinase pathway, which plays important roles in protecting metazoan animals from infections and oxidative stress. Transcriptional and functional analyses of fat-3-regulated genes revealed that fat-3 is required in the intestine to regulate the expression of infection- and stress-response genes, and that distinct sets of genes are specifically required for immune function and oxidative stress response. Our study thus uncovers a mechanism by which these 18-carbon PUFAs affect basal innate immune function and, consequently, the ability of an organism to defend itself against bacterial infections. The conservation of p38 MAP kinase signaling in both stress and immune responses further encourages exploring the function of GLA and SDA in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhumitha Nandakumar
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Department Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Man-Wah Tan
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Department Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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p38 MAPK as a signal transduction component of heavy metals stress in Euglena gracilis. Arch Microbiol 2008; 191:47-54. [DOI: 10.1007/s00203-008-0427-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2008] [Revised: 08/05/2008] [Accepted: 08/18/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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40
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Brulle F, Cocquerelle C, Wamalah AN, Morgan AJ, Kille P, Leprêtre A, Vandenbulcke F. cDNA cloning and expression analysis of Eisenia fetida (Annelida: Oligochaeta) phytochelatin synthase under cadmium exposure. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2008; 71:47-55. [PMID: 18083232 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2007.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2007] [Revised: 10/04/2007] [Accepted: 10/20/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Metallothioneins (MTs) are central to trace metal homeostasis and detoxification throughout biological systems. Prokaryotes, plants, and fungi utilize both gene encoded cysteine-rich polypeptides (classically designated Class I and II MTs) and enzymatically synthesized cysteine-rich peptides (classically designated Class III MTs or phytochelatins). In contrast, although gene encoded MTs are ubiquitous in animal species the identification of a functional phytochelatin synthase in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a representative member of the Ecdysozoa, provided the first evidence for these metal-binding peptides in animals. By exploiting the conservation observed between species we have been able to clone and transcriptionally characterize a phytochelatin synthase from the immune cells of the earthworm Eisenia fetida, the first evidence for its presence in a phylum belonging to the Lophototrochozoa. The complete coding sequence of this enzyme was determined and the phylogenetic relationship to plant, yeast and nematode enzymes elucidated. Temporal- and dose-profiling of the transcriptional regulation of phytochelatin synthase and MT in response to cadmium was performed by using real-time PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franck Brulle
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Numérique et d'Ecotoxicologie, EA 3570, Université de Lille 1, Cité Scientifique, Bâtiment SN3, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
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Taubert S, Hansen M, Van Gilst MR, Cooper SB, Yamamoto KR. The Mediator subunit MDT-15 confers metabolic adaptation to ingested material. PLoS Genet 2008; 4:e1000021. [PMID: 18454197 PMCID: PMC2265483 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1000021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2007] [Accepted: 01/10/2008] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In eukaryotes, RNA polymerase II (PolII) dependent gene expression requires accessory factors termed transcriptional coregulators. One coregulator that universally contributes to PolII-dependent transcription is the Mediator, a multisubunit complex that is targeted by many transcriptional regulatory factors. For example, the Caenorhabditis elegans Mediator subunit MDT-15 confers the regulatory actions of the sterol response element binding protein SBP-1 and the nuclear hormone receptor NHR-49 on fatty acid metabolism. Here, we demonstrate that MDT-15 displays a broader spectrum of activities, and that it integrates metabolic responses to materials ingested by C. elegans. Depletion of MDT-15 protein or mutation of the mdt-15 gene abrogated induction of specific detoxification genes in response to certain xenobiotics or heavy metals, rendering these animals hypersensitive to toxin exposure. Intriguingly, MDT-15 appeared to selectively affect stress responses related to ingestion, as MDT-15 functional defects did not abrogate other stress responses, e.g., thermotolerance. Together with our previous finding that MDT-15:NHR-49 regulatory complexes coordinate a sector of the fasting response, we propose a model whereby MDT-15 integrates several transcriptional regulatory pathways to monitor both the availability and quality of ingested materials, including nutrients and xenobiotic compounds. All organisms adapt their physiology to external input, such as altered food availability or toxic challenges. Many of these responses are driven by changes in gene transcription. In general, sequence specific DNA-binding regulatory factors are considered the specificity determinants of the transcriptional output. Here, we show that, in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, one subunit of a >20 subunit, evolutionarily conserved, non-DNA binding co-factor termed Mediator, specifies a portion of the metabolic responses to a mixture of ingested material. This protein, MDT-15, is required for appropriate expression of genes that protect worms from the effects of toxic compounds and heavy metals. Our previous findings showed that the same protein also cooperates with other regulators to coordinate lipid metabolism. We suggest that MDT-15 may “route” transcriptional responses appropriate to the ingested material. This physiological scope appears broader and more sophisticated than that of any individual regulatory factor, thus coordinating systemic metabolic adaptation with ingestion. Given the evolutionary conservation of MDT-15 and the Mediator, a similar regulatory pathway may ensure health and longevity in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Taubert
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Malene Hansen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Marc R. Van Gilst
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Basic Sciences Division, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Samantha B. Cooper
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Graduate Program of Biological and Medical Informatics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Keith R. Yamamoto
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Cui Y, McBride SJ, Boyd WA, Alper S, Freedman JH. Toxicogenomic analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans reveals novel genes and pathways involved in the resistance to cadmium toxicity. Genome Biol 2008; 8:R122. [PMID: 17592649 PMCID: PMC2394766 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2007-8-6-r122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2007] [Revised: 05/22/2007] [Accepted: 06/25/2007] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to cadmium is associated with a variety of human diseases. At low concentrations, cadmium activates the transcription of stress-responsive genes, which can prevent or repair the adverse effects caused by this metal. RESULTS Using Caenorhabditis elegans, 290 genes were identified that are differentially expressed (>1.5-fold) following a 4 or 24 hour exposure to cadmium. Several of these genes are known to be involved in metal detoxification, including mtl-1, mtl-2, cdr-1 and ttm-1, confirming the efficacy of the study. The majority, however, were not previously associated with metal-responsiveness and are novel. Gene Ontology analysis mapped these genes to cellular/ion trafficking, metabolic enzymes and proteolysis categories. RNA interference-mediated inhibition of 50 cadmium-responsive genes resulted in an increased sensitivity to cadmium toxicity, demonstrating that these genes are involved in the resistance to cadmium toxicity. Several functional protein interacting networks were identified by interactome analysis. Within one network, the signaling protein KEL-8 was identified. Kel-8 protects C. elegans from cadmium toxicity in a mek-1 (MAPKK)-dependent manner. CONCLUSION Because many C. elegans genes and signal transduction pathways are evolutionarily conserved, these results may contribute to the understanding of the functional roles of various genes in cadmium toxicity in higher organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxia Cui
- Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Sandra J McBride
- Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Windy A Boyd
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Scott Alper
- Laboratory of Environmental Lung Disease, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Jonathan H Freedman
- Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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43
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Current research in soil invertebrate ecotoxicogenomics. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2423(08)00004-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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44
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Meyer JN, Boyd WA, Azzam GA, Haugen AC, Freedman JH, Van Houten B. Decline of nucleotide excision repair capacity in aging Caenorhabditis elegans. Genome Biol 2007; 8:R70. [PMID: 17472752 PMCID: PMC1929140 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2007-8-5-r70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2006] [Revised: 11/03/2006] [Accepted: 05/01/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Repair of UVC-induced DNA damage in Caenorhabditis elegans is similar kinetically and genetically to repair in humans, and it slows significantly in aging C. elegans. Background Caenorhabditis elegans is an important model for the study of DNA damage and repair related processes such as aging, neurodegeneration, and carcinogenesis. However, DNA repair is poorly characterized in this organism. We adapted a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay to characterize repair of DNA damage induced by ultraviolet type C (UVC) radiation in C. elegans, and then tested whether DNA repair rates were affected by age in adults. Results UVC radiation induced lesions in young adult C. elegans, with a slope of 0.4 to 0.5 lesions per 10 kilobases of DNA per 100 J/m2, in both nuclear and mitochondrial targets. L1 and dauer larvae were more than fivefold more sensitive to lesion formation than were young adults. Nuclear repair kinetics in a well expressed nuclear gene were biphasic in nongravid adult nematodes: a faster, first order (half-life about 16 hours) phase lasting approximately 24 hours and resulting in removal of about 60% of the photoproducts was followed by a much slower phase. Repair in ten nuclear DNA regions was 15% and 50% higher in more actively transcribed regions in young and aging adults, respectively. Finally, repair was reduced by 30% to 50% in each of the ten nuclear regions in aging adults. However, this decrease in repair could not be explained by a reduction in expression of nucleotide excision repair genes, and we present a plausible mechanism, based on gene expression data, to account for this decrease. Conclusion Repair of UVC-induced DNA damage in C. elegans is similar kinetically and genetically to repair in humans. Furthermore, this important repair process slows significantly in aging C. elegans, the first whole organism in which this question has been addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel N Meyer
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Windy A Boyd
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Gregory A Azzam
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Astrid C Haugen
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Jonathan H Freedman
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Bennett Van Houten
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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Tessitori M, Maria G, Capasso C, Catara G, Rizza S, De Luca V, Catara A, Capasso A, Carginale V. Differential display analysis of gene expression in Etrog citron leaves infected by Citrus viroid III. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 1769:228-35. [PMID: 17475349 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbaexp.2007.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2006] [Revised: 03/14/2007] [Accepted: 03/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Citrus are natural hosts of several viroids, which are plant pathogens composed exclusively of a non-protein-coding, small single-stranded circular RNA that is able to replicate autonomously in susceptible hosts. They are responsible for symptoms such as stunting, leaf epinasty, and chlorosis. Citrus viroid III (CVd-III) has been long regarded as a possible dwarfing agent of citrus grafted on trifoliate orange and its hybrids. To investigate molecular mechanisms involved in pathogenesis, the messenger RNA (mRNA) differential display technique was here applied to identify genes whose transcription was significantly altered in leaves of Etrog citron (Citrus medica) infected by CVd-III (variant b). Of eighteen genes identified, thirteen were up-regulated by viroid infection, while five were down-regulated. Except for two genes that encode proteins of unknown function, the remaining genes are mainly involved in plant defence/stress responses, signal transduction, amino acid transport, and cell wall structure. Among the up-regulated genes, it is noteworthy a suppressor of RNA silencing that might be involved in viroid and virus pathogenicity. The functions of these genes are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Tessitori
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Fitosanitarie, DISTEF, University of Catania, Italy
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Dailianis S, Kaloyianni M. Role of cAMP in tissues of mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis as a potent biomarker of cadmium in marine environments. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2007; 52:371-8. [PMID: 17253096 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-006-0073-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2006] [Accepted: 06/26/2006] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigated the signal transduction molecule cAMP as a biomarker of exposure to cadmium in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis. Mussels were exposed to 10 and 100 microg/l cadmium for 3, 6, and 9 days, and cAMP content in three tissues-digestive gland, gills and mantle-gonad complex-was estimated. The results showed significantly increased levels of cAMP in all tissues at all time points tested. In support of our results, cAMP levels were positively correlated with the established metal biomarker, metallothionein. Therefore, we could suggest that mussels exposed to cadmium respond by increasing cAMP content in digestive gland, gills and mantle-gonad complex, thus indicating that cAMP could constitute a promising biomarker of exposure to cadmium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanos Dailianis
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Zoology Department School of Biology, Faculty of Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thesslaloniki, Greece
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Cui Y, McBride SJ, Boyd WA, Alper S, Freedman JH. Toxicogenomic analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans reveals novel genes and pathways involved in the resistance to cadmium toxicity. Genome Biol 2007; 8:R122. [PMID: 17592649 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2007-8-6-r122|issn1465-6914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2007] [Revised: 05/22/2007] [Accepted: 06/25/2007] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to cadmium is associated with a variety of human diseases. At low concentrations, cadmium activates the transcription of stress-responsive genes, which can prevent or repair the adverse effects caused by this metal. RESULTS Using Caenorhabditis elegans, 290 genes were identified that are differentially expressed (>1.5-fold) following a 4 or 24 hour exposure to cadmium. Several of these genes are known to be involved in metal detoxification, including mtl-1, mtl-2, cdr-1 and ttm-1, confirming the efficacy of the study. The majority, however, were not previously associated with metal-responsiveness and are novel. Gene Ontology analysis mapped these genes to cellular/ion trafficking, metabolic enzymes and proteolysis categories. RNA interference-mediated inhibition of 50 cadmium-responsive genes resulted in an increased sensitivity to cadmium toxicity, demonstrating that these genes are involved in the resistance to cadmium toxicity. Several functional protein interacting networks were identified by interactome analysis. Within one network, the signaling protein KEL-8 was identified. Kel-8 protects C. elegans from cadmium toxicity in a mek-1 (MAPKK)-dependent manner. CONCLUSION Because many C. elegans genes and signal transduction pathways are evolutionarily conserved, these results may contribute to the understanding of the functional roles of various genes in cadmium toxicity in higher organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxia Cui
- Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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Brulle F, Mitta G, Leroux R, Lemière S, Leprêtre A, Vandenbulcke F. The strong induction of metallothionein gene following cadmium exposure transiently affects the expression of many genes in Eisenia fetida: a trade-off mechanism? Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2007; 144:334-41. [PMID: 17150412 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2006.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2006] [Revised: 10/13/2006] [Accepted: 10/19/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Metal pollution causes disturbances at various levels of biological organization in most species. Important physiological functions could be affected in the exposed individuals and among the main physiological functions, immunity may provide one (or more) effector(s) whose expression can be directly affected by a metal exposure in various macroinvertebrates. Protein expressions were studied in order to test them as molecular biomarkers of metal exposure in Eisenia fetida. Selected effectors were calmodulin, heat shock proteins, superoxide dismutase, catalase, metallothionein, beta-adrenergic receptor kinase, pyruvate carboxylase, transcriptionally controlled tumor protein, protein kinase C, ubiquitin and cyclophilin-A. The level of expression of each gene was analysed in whole organism following exposures to cadmium in soil using real-time PCR. Metallothionein, transcriptionally controlled tumor protein and cyclophilin-A expression were also measured following copper exposures in soil because these genes seemed to be sensitive to copper. This work enabled to distinguish metallothionein and cyclophilin-A among the 15 selected effectors. A strong decrease of the number of transcripts was also detected for most effectors soon after the exposure to cadmium suggesting that a trade-off mechanism occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Brulle
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Numérique et d'Ecotoxicologie, EA 3570, Université de Lille 1, Cité scientifique, Batiment SN3, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq cedex, France
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Mireji PO, Keating J, Kenya E, Mbogo C, Nyambaka H, Osir E, Githure J, Beier J. Differential Induction of Proteins in Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (Diptera: Cullicidae) Larvae in Response to Heavy Metal Selection. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TROPICAL INSECT SCIENCE 2006; 26:214-226. [PMID: 20651951 PMCID: PMC2908035 DOI: 10.1017/s1742758406658955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Investigations were conducted to establish the magnitude and pattern of differential expression of proteins due to generational selection of third instar An. gambiae s.s. larvae by cadmium, copper and lead heavy metals, three possible common urban pollutants.A susceptible strain of An. gambiae s.s. third instar larvae was separately placed under selection pressure with cadmium, copper and lead at LC(30) and controls through five generations. First, third and fifth generation selection survivors were screened for differentially expressed proteins relative to non-exposed control by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Distribution patterns of the spots were analysed by Chi Square or Fishers exact test and variations in expressions between and within generation by ANOVA. Most differentially expressed spots were acidic and of low molecular weight among all metals and generations. Type of heavy metals and generation were main indicators of variations in differential expressions. Variation between generations was most significant among cadmium-selected populations of which most number of spots were induced in the fifth generation. Most spots were induced in the copper-selected population in the third generation. The induced protein spots may be products from respective genes that respond to heavy metals and counter their toxicity, thus building An. gambiae s.s. tolerance to these pollutants. The differential pattern and magnitude of expressed spots has potential application as molecular markers for assessment of anopheline adaptation status to heavy metals, and provide insight into the extent of environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul O. Mireji
- Department of Biochemistry, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
- Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Division, International Center of Insect, Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
- Corresponding Author: Paul Odhiambo Mireji, Human Health Division, The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya, Tel: 254 (20) 861680-4, Fax: 254 (20) 806330/860110,
| | - Joseph Keating
- International Health and Development, School of Public Health and Tropical, Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112
| | - Eucharia Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Charles Mbogo
- Center for Geographic Medicine, Research - Coast, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 4281, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Hudson Nyambaka
- Department of Chemistry, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Ellie Osir
- Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Division, International Center of Insect, Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John Githure
- Human Health Division, International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John Beier
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33177
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Gonzalez P, Baudrimont M, Boudou A, Bourdineaud JP. Comparative Effects of Direct Cadmium Contamination on Gene Expression in Gills, Liver, Skeletal Muscles and Brain of the Zebrafish (Danio rerio). Biometals 2006; 19:225-35. [PMID: 16799861 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-005-5670-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2004] [Accepted: 04/18/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The effects of cadmium (Cd) on gene expression were examined in four organs (gills, liver, skeletal muscles and brain) of the zebrafish. Adult male fish were subjected to three different water contamination pressures over periods of 7 and 21 days: control medium (C(0): no Cd added) and two contaminated media (C(1): 1.9 +/- 0.6 microg Cd l(-1), and C(2): 9.6 +/- 2.9 microg Cd l(-1)). Fourteen genes involved in antioxidant defences, metal chelation, active efflux of organic compounds, mitochondrial metabolism, DNA repair and apoptosis were selected and their expression levels investigated by quantitative real-time PCR. Cadmium concentrations were determined in the four organs and metallothionein (MT) protein levels investigated in brain, liver and gills. Although skeletal muscle was a poor Cd-accumulating tissue, many genes were up-regulated at day 7: mt1, cyt, bax, gadd and rad51 genes. Three additional genes, c-jun, pyc and tap, were up-regulated in muscles at day 21 whereas bax, gadd and rad51 had returned to basal levels. Surprisingly, mt1 and c-jun were the only genes displaying a differential induction after 21 days in liver, although this organ accumulated the highest cadmium concentration. In brain, only mt1, mt2 and c-jun genes were up-regulated after 21 days. In gills, the highest response was observed after 7 days, featuring the differential expression of oxidative stress-response hsp70 and mitochondrial sod genes, along with genes involved in mitochondrial metabolism and metal detoxification. Then, after 21 days, the expression of almost every genes returned to basal levels while both mt1 and mt2 genes were up-regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrice Gonzalez
- Laboratoire d'Ecophysiologie et Ecotoxicologie des Systèmes Aquatiques (LEESA), Université Bordeaux, 1/UMR CNRS 5805, Place du Dr Peyneau, Arcachon 33120, France
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