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Kang B, Wang J, Guo S, Yang L. Mercury-induced toxicity: Mechanisms, molecular pathways, and gene regulation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 943:173577. [PMID: 38852866 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173577] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Mercury is a well-known neurotoxicant for humans and wildlife. The epidemic of mercury poisoning in Japan has clearly demonstrated that chronic exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) results in serious neurological damage to the cerebral and cerebellar cortex, leading to the dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS), especially in infants exposed to MeHg in utero. The occurrences of poisoning have caused a wide public concern regarding the health risk emanating from MeHg exposure; particularly those eating large amounts of fish may experience the low-level and long-term exposure. There is growing evidence that MeHg at environmentally relevant concentrations can affect the health of biota in the ecosystem. Although extensive in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that the disruption of redox homeostasis and microtube assembly is mainly responsible for mercurial toxicity leading to adverse health outcomes, it is still unclear whether we could quantitively determine the occurrence of interaction between mercurial and thiols and/or selenols groups of proteins linked directly to outcomes, especially at very low levels of exposure. Furthermore, intracellular calcium homeostasis, cytoskeleton, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter release, and DNA methylation may be the targets of mercury compounds; however, the primary targets associated with the adverse outcomes remain to be elucidated. Considering these knowledge gaps, in this article, we conducted a comprehensive review of mercurial toxicity, focusing mainly on the mechanism, and genes/proteins expression. We speculated that comprehensive analyses of transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics could enhance interpretation of "omics" profiles, which may reveal specific biomarkers obviously correlated with specific pathways that mediate selective neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolun Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012 Beijing, China
| | - Jinghan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012 Beijing, China
| | - Shaojuan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012 Beijing, China
| | - Lixin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012 Beijing, China.
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Panzenhagen AC, Petry FDS, Alves-Teixeira A, Santos L, Carazza-Kessler FG, Gelain DP, Moreira JCF. Biomarkers of methylmercury neurotoxicity and neurodevelopmental features: A systematic review. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 191:114851. [PMID: 38986832 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
The issue of MeHg contamination is a significant concern due to its detrimental impact on the environment. This study aimed to thoroughly investigate the effects of MeHg on neurodevelopmental biomarkers, as there is a lack of systematic reviews in this area. We conducted a comprehensive search of three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) and found 522 records, which were then meticulously reviewed by two independent reviewers. A total of 66 studies were included, with biomarkers related to oxidative stress, neurotransmission, inflammation, epigenetics, and apoptosis being the most prominent. The results of both in vitro and in vivo models indicate that antioxidant enzymes and other oxidative stress-related markers are indeed, altered following MeHg exposure. Moreover, MeHg exposure causes significant disruptions to neurotransmitter levels, activities of neurotransmitter synthesis enzymes, receptor densities, and proteins involved in synaptic function. Proinflammatory biomarkers are consistently overexpressed in both MeHg-treated cells and the brains of exposed rats. Furthermore, studies on DNA methylation and biomarker activity suggest that MeHg exposure may lead to neurotoxicity and neurodevelopmental issues via perturbations to epigenetic markers and the apoptosis pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana Castro Panzenhagen
- Centro de Estudos Em Estresse Oxidativo, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda Dos Santos Petry
- Centro de Estudos Em Estresse Oxidativo, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Alexsander Alves-Teixeira
- Centro de Estudos Em Estresse Oxidativo, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lucas Santos
- Centro de Estudos Em Estresse Oxidativo, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Flávio Gabriel Carazza-Kessler
- Centro de Estudos Em Estresse Oxidativo, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Daniel Pens Gelain
- Centro de Estudos Em Estresse Oxidativo, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - José Cláudio Fonseca Moreira
- Centro de Estudos Em Estresse Oxidativo, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Bittencourt LO, Matta PPM, Nascimento PC, Eiró-Quirino L, Aragão WAB, Dionizio A, Fernandes LMP, Silva MCF, Buzalaf MAR, Aschner M, Crespo-Lopez ME, Maia CSF, Lima RR. Deciphering the Global Proteomic Profile Involved in Methylmercury-Induced Cerebellar Neurodegeneration and Motor Dysfunction in Adult Rats. TOXICS 2022; 10:531. [PMID: 36136496 PMCID: PMC9500842 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10090531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a ubiquitous pollutant in the environment with potential neurotoxic effects. Several populations are susceptible to mercurial exposure, especially methylmercury (MeHg) at low doses for long periods through food consumption. Given this, the present work aimed to assess the effects of long-term MeHg exposure on the cerebellum of rats from a translational perspective using a representative dose, assessing molecular, biochemical, morphological, and behavioral parameters. The model was produced by administering 40 µg/kg of MeHg for 60 days to adult male Wistar rats by oral gavage. As a result of this exposure, the animals presented motor deficits in open field and rotarod tests which were associated with an increase in total mercury content in cerebellar parenchyma, a reduction in antioxidant competence against peroxyl radicals, and increased nitrite and lipid peroxidation levels. The proteomic approach showed 317 modulated proteins. Such findings were associated with reductions in mature neuron and Purkinje cell densities and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunostained areas and increased microglial density. In addition, decreases in myelin basic protein and synaptophysin immunostaining were also observed. The results thus provided new evidence of the mechanisms underlying complex MeHg-induced neurodegeneration, especially the proteins underlying the biochemical and morphological features associated with motor dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Oliveira Bittencourt
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Pedro Philipe Moreira Matta
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Priscila Cunha Nascimento
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Luciana Eiró-Quirino
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Walessa Alana Bragança Aragão
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Aline Dionizio
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru 17012-90, SP, Brazil
| | - Luanna Melo Pereira Fernandes
- Department of Morphology and Physiological Sciences, Center of Biological and Health Sciences, State Unversity of Pará, Belém 66087-662, PA, Brazil
| | - Márcia Cristina Freitas Silva
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | | | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Socorro Ferraz Maia
- Laboratory Pharmacology of Inflammation and Behavior, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Lima
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
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Contributing to Understand the Crosstalk between Brain and Periphery in Methylmercury Intoxication: Neurotoxicity and Extracellular Vesicles. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910855. [PMID: 34639196 PMCID: PMC8509412 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) is currently high in regions such as the Amazon. Understanding the molecular changes associated with MeHg-induced neurotoxicity and the crosstalk with the periphery is essential to support early diagnoses. This work aimed to evaluate cellular and molecular changes associated with behavioral alterations in MeHg acute exposure and the possible changes in extracellular vesicles (EVs) number and S100β content. Adults male Wistar rats were orally treated with 5 mg/kg for four days. Behavioral performance, molecular and histological changes in the cerebellum, and plasma EVs were assessed. MeHg-intoxicated animals performed significantly worse in behavioral tests. MeHg increased the number of GFAP+ cells and GFAP and S100β mRNA expression in the cerebellum but no change in NeuN+ or IBA-1+ cells number was detected. The number of exosomes isolated from plasma were decreased by the metal. S100B mRNA was detected in circulating plasma EVs cargo in MeHg exposure. Though preliminary, our results suggest astrocytic reactivity is displaying a protective role once there was no neuronal death. Interestingly, the reduction in exosomes number could be a new mechanism associated with MeHg-induced neurotoxicity and plasma EVs could represent a source of future biomarkers in MeHg intoxication.
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Mellingen RM, Myrmel LS, Lie KK, Rasinger JD, Madsen L, Nøstbakken OJ. RNA sequencing and proteomic profiling reveal different alterations by dietary methylmercury in the hippocampal transcriptome and proteome in BALB/c mice. Metallomics 2021; 13:mfab022. [PMID: 33890672 PMCID: PMC8716076 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfab022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a highly neurotoxic form of mercury (Hg) present in seafood. Here, we recorded and compared proteomic and transcriptomic changes in hippocampus of male BALB/c mice exposed to two doses of MeHg. Mice were fed diets spiked with 0.28 mg MeHg kg-1, 5 mg MeHg kg-1, or an unspiked control diet for 77 days. Total mercury content was significantly (P < 0.05) increased in brain tissue of both MeHg-exposed groups (18 ± 2 mg Hg kg-1 and 0.56 ± 0.06 mg Hg kg-1). Hippocampal protein and ribonucleic acid (RNA) expression levels were significantly altered both in tissues from mice receiving a low dose MeHg (20 proteins/294 RNA transcripts) and a high dose MeHg (61 proteins/876 RNA transcripts). The majority but not all the differentially expressed features in hippocampus were dose dependent. The combined use of transcriptomic and proteomic profiling data provided insight on the influence of MeHg on neurotoxicity, energy metabolism, and oxidative stress through several regulated features and pathways, including RXR function and superoxide radical degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragnhild Marie Mellingen
- Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Lise Madsen
- Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark
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Biswas S, Bellare J. Adaptive mechanisms induced by sparingly soluble mercury sulfide (HgS) in zebrafish: Behavioural and proteomics analysis. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 270:129438. [PMID: 33429232 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) causes great health concerns due to its extreme neurotoxicity. However, here we show that pretreatment of sparingly soluble mercury compound (HgS) could induce adaptive mechanisms in zebrafish, which can resist the neurotoxic effects of mercury chloride (HgCl2). In this study, zebrafish were treated with HgS (in the form of 99% HgS arising from traditional Ayurvedic medicine Rasasindura (RS), chosen for its particle and crystallite sizes). This work was prompted by the traditional use of this form of HgS to treat nervous and immune-related diseases. Our investigation on zebrafish behaviour showed that RS pretreated fish group (RS-HG) was less severely affected by HgCl2 exposure, as compared to the RS non-treated (VC-HG) group. Further, biochemical tests showed that RS pretreatment prevents alteration of reactive oxygen species (ROS), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and cortisol as compared to the VC-HG group. Proteomics and bioinformatics studies of zebrafish brain tissues suggested that Rasasindura (RS-HG group) protects alteration of various protein expression related to KEGG pathways, including citrate cycle (TCA cycle) and glutathione metabolism that are directly or indirectly linked to the oxidative stress, against HgCl2 induced neurotoxicity. We found that adaptive mechanisms were initiated by the initiation of response to stress (enrichment of GO:0006950 pathway), due to the accumulation of a small amount of ionic Hg (60 ± 10 ng/g) after 15 days of RS treatment. These adaptive mechanisms avoid further adverse neurotoxicity of HgCl2. Thus, HgS (RS) pretreatment can induce protective effects in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snehasis Biswas
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Jayesh Bellare
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, 400076, India; Wadhwani Research Centre for Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, 400076, India.
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7
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Rodrigues KE, de Oliveira FR, Barbosa BRC, Paraense RSO, Bannwart CM, Pinheiro BG, Botelho ADS, Muto NA, do Amarante CB, Hamoy M, Macchi BDM, Maia CDSF, do Prado AF, do Nascimento JLM. Aqueous Coriandrum sativum L. extract promotes neuroprotection against motor changes and oxidative damage in rat progeny after maternal exposure to methylmercury. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 133:110755. [PMID: 31408720 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.110755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of Coriandrum sativum aqueous extract (CSAE) on the rat progeny of mothers exposed to methylmercury (MeHg). The presence of bioactive compounds and CSAE's antioxidant capacity been evaluated, and the offspring were assessed for their total mercury levels, motor behavioral parameters and oxidative stress in the cerebellum. The analysis of the bioactive compounds revealed significant amounts of polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, as well as a variety of minerals. A DPPH test showed the CSAE had important antioxidant activity. The MeHg + CSAE group performed significantly better spontaneous locomotor activity, palmar grip strength, balance, and motor coordination in behavioral tests compared the MeHg group, as well as in the parameters of oxidative stress, with similar results to those of the control group. The MeHg + CSAE group also had significantly reduced mercury levels in comparison to the MeHg group. Based on the behavioral tests, which detected large locomotor, balance, and coordination improvements, as well as a reduction in oxidative stress, we conclude that CSAE had positive functional results in the offspring of rats exposed to MeHg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keuri Eleutério Rodrigues
- Neuroscience and Cellular Biology Post Graduation Program, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Para, Belem, PA, Brazil; Molecular and Cellular Neurochemistry Laboratory, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Para, Belem, PA, Brazil
| | - Fábio Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Neuroscience and Cellular Biology Post Graduation Program, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Para, Belem, PA, Brazil; Bromatology and Quality Control Laboratory, Health and Biological Sciences Department, Federal University of Amapa (UNIFAP), Macapa, Ap, Brazil
| | - Benilson Ramos Cassunde Barbosa
- Molecular and Cellular Neurochemistry Laboratory, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Para, Belem, PA, Brazil
| | - Ricardo S Oliveira Paraense
- Molecular and Cellular Neurochemistry Laboratory, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Para, Belem, PA, Brazil
| | - Cahy Manoel Bannwart
- Molecular and Cellular Neurochemistry Laboratory, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Para, Belem, PA, Brazil
| | - Bruno Gonçalves Pinheiro
- Behavioral and Inflammatory Pharmacology Laboratory, Health Sciences Institute, Pharmacy College, Federal University of Para, Belem, PA, Brazil
| | | | - Nilton Akio Muto
- Amazonian Bioactive Compounds Valorization Center, Federal University of Para, Belem, PA, Brazil
| | | | - Moises Hamoy
- Natural Products' Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Para, Belem, PA, Brazil
| | - Barbarella de Matos Macchi
- Molecular and Cellular Neurochemistry Laboratory, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Para, Belem, PA, Brazil
| | - Cristiane do Socorro Ferraz Maia
- Behavioral and Inflammatory Pharmacology Laboratory, Health Sciences Institute, Pharmacy College, Federal University of Para, Belem, PA, Brazil
| | - Alejandro Ferraz do Prado
- Structural Biology Laboratory, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Para, Belem, PA, Brazil
| | - José Luiz Martins do Nascimento
- Neuroscience and Cellular Biology Post Graduation Program, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Para, Belem, PA, Brazil; Molecular and Cellular Neurochemistry Laboratory, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Para, Belem, PA, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology in Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Pharmaceutical Sciences Post Graduation Program, Health and Biological Sciences Department, Federal University of Amapa (UNIFAP), Macapa, Ap, Brazil.
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Puty B, Leão LKR, Crespo-Lopez ME, Almeida APCPSC, Fagundes NCF, Maia LC, Lima RR. Association between methylmercury environmental exposure and neurological disorders: A systematic review. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2019; 52:100-110. [PMID: 30732869 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The mercury-related central nervous system disorders have been extensively studied on animal models and human beings. However, clinical evidences of which neurological changes are in fact associated with mercury exposure remains controversial. This systematic review (Prospero registration under the number CRD42016041760) aimed to elucidate the association of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure with neurological alteration in populations living in MeHg-endemic risk area. A systematic search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis criteria using available databases PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, OpenGrey and Google Scholar. A search of the following terms: "methylmercury compounds", "organomercury compounds", "neurologic manifestations", "memory disorders", "neurobehavioral manifestations" and "communication disorders" were performed in a systematic way. Studies focusing on MeHg exposure and subsequent neurological alteration on humans (>13 years) were included. Evaluation of methodological quality and risk of bias as well as the level of evidence was performed. Our results have identified 470 studies and six articles were eligible for systematic review inclusion criteria. The studies suggested alterations related to the psychosensory, motor and coordination system, as well as motor speech, hearing, visual impairment, mood alterations and loss of intelligent quotient. Of all the six studies, two presented a high risk of bias, with methodological problems related to the confounding factors and all studies presented evidence level ranged from very low to low. In this way our results revealed that a definitive demonstration of an association of MeHg and neurological alterations in human beings is still a pending subject. Future studies in this topic should take into consideration more confident and reliable methods to answer this question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Puty
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Para, Belem, Brazil.
| | - Luana Ketlen Reis Leão
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Para, Belem, Brazil.
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Para, Belem, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Lucianne Cople Maia
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Lima
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Para, Belem, Brazil.
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Shao Y, Wang L, Langlois P, Mironov G, Chan HM. Proteome changes in methylmercury-exposed mouse primary cerebellar granule neurons and astrocytes. Toxicol In Vitro 2019; 57:96-104. [PMID: 30776503 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2019.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a neurotoxicant, with the cerebellum as the main target of toxicity; however, the toxic effects of MeHg on specific cell types remain unclear. Here, primary cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) and cerebellar astrocytes were isolated and analyzed for total mercury accumulation, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and whole-cell proteome expression after exposure to 0-10 μM MeHg for 24 h. Intracellular mercury and ROS levels showed dose-dependent increases. Mercury accumulation was greater in CGNs than astrocytes. The proteomic analysis identified a total of 1966 and 3214 proteins in CGNs and astrocytes, among which 183 and 262 proteins were differentially expressed after mercury exposure, respectively. Enrichment analysis revealed mitochondrial-associated organelles as the main targets of MeHg in both cell types. Whereas multiple functions/pathways were affected in CGNs, the oxidation-reduction process was the most significantly changed function/pathway in astrocytes. CGNs were more sensitive to MeHg-mediated neurotoxicity than astrocytes. The two cell types showed distinct mechanistic responses to MeHg. In astrocytes, the mitochondrion was the primary target of toxicity, resulting in increases in oxidation-reduction process responses. In CGNs, the neurotrophin signaling pathway, cytoskeleton, cAMP signaling pathway, and thyroid hormone signaling pathway were affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueting Shao
- School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lewis Wang
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | | | - Gleb Mironov
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Hing Man Chan
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Canada.
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Oxidative Biochemistry Disbalance and Changes on Proteomic Profile in Salivary Glands of Rats Induced by Chronic Exposure to Methylmercury. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2017; 2017:5653291. [PMID: 28811865 PMCID: PMC5546058 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5653291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is one of the most toxic mercury species, which can cause many systemic damages, but little is known about its effect in the salivary glands. This study aimed to analyze the mercury levels, oxidative stress, and proteomic profile in parotid, submandibular, and sublingual salivary glands of rats, after chronic MeHg intoxication. Two groups of twenty male Wistar rats (90 days of age) were used on the experiment. MeHg group was intoxicated by intragastric gavage with MeHg at a dose of 0.04 mg/kg/day for 60 days, while the control group received only oil. After the period of intoxication, the glands were collected for evaluation of total mercury levels, proteomic profile, and oxidative balance by analyzing the antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (ACAP), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and nitrite levels. Our results have showed that mercury levels were significant in all three glands compared to the respective control. It also showed lower levels of ACAP, as well as higher LPO and nitrite levels. The proteomic profile presented impairments on structural components of cytoskeleton, metabolic pathways, and oxidative biochemistry. Thus, the exposure to MeHg was able to generate oxidative stress that could be associated with changes in the proteomic profile of salivary glands.
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Negi SK, Guda C. Global gene expression profiling of healthy human brain and its application in studying neurological disorders. Sci Rep 2017; 7:897. [PMID: 28420888 PMCID: PMC5429860 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00952-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain function is governed by precise regulation of gene expression across its anatomically distinct structures; however, the expression patterns of genes across hundreds of brain structures are not clearly understood. Here, we describe a gene expression model, which is representative of the healthy human brain transcriptome by using data from the Allen Brain Atlas. Our in-depth gene expression profiling revealed that 84% of genes are expressed in at least one of the 190 brain structures studied. Hierarchical clustering based on gene expression profiles delineated brain regions into structurally tiered spatial groups and we observed striking enrichment for region-specific processes. Further, weighted co-expression network analysis identified 19 robust modules of highly correlated genes enriched with functional associations for neurogenesis, dopamine signaling, immune regulation and behavior. Also, structural distribution maps of major neurotransmission systems in the brain were generated. Finally, we developed a supervised classification model, which achieved 84% and 81% accuracies for predicting autism- and Parkinson’s-implicated genes, respectively, using our expression model as a baseline. This study represents the first use of global gene expression profiling from healthy human brain to develop a disease gene prediction model and this generic methodology can be applied to study any neurological disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simarjeet K Negi
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Chittibabu Guda
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA. .,Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Core, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA. .,Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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Rasinger JD, Lundebye AK, Penglase SJ, Ellingsen S, Amlund H. Methylmercury Induced Neurotoxicity and the Influence of Selenium in the Brains of Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio). Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18040725. [PMID: 28353644 PMCID: PMC5412311 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18040725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurotoxicity of methylmercury (MeHg) is well characterised, and the ameliorating effects of selenium have been described. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms behind this contaminant-nutrient interaction. We investigated the influence of selenium (as selenomethionine, SeMet) and MeHg on mercury accumulation and protein expression in the brain of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Fish were fed diets containing elevated levels of MeHg and/or SeMet in a 2 × 2 full factorial design for eight weeks. Mercury concentrations were highest in the brain tissue of MeHg-exposed fish compared to the controls, whereas lower levels of mercury were found in the brain of zebrafish fed both MeHg and SeMet compared with the fish fed MeHg alone. The expression levels of proteins associated with gap junction signalling, oxidative phosphorylation, and mitochondrial dysfunction were significantly (p < 0.05) altered in the brain of zebrafish after exposure to MeHg and SeMet alone or in combination. Analysis of upstream regulators indicated that these changes were linked to the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways, which were activated by MeHg and inhibited by SeMet, possibly through a reactive oxygen species mediated differential activation of RICTOR, the rapamycin-insensitive binding partner of mTOR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Daniel Rasinger
- National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), P.O. Box 2029 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Anne-Katrine Lundebye
- National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), P.O. Box 2029 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Samuel James Penglase
- National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), P.O. Box 2029 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway.
- Present address: Aquaculture Research Solutions (ARS), Mundingburra, 4812 QLD, Australia..
| | - Ståle Ellingsen
- National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), P.O. Box 2029 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway.
- Present address: Department of Biology, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7803, 5020 Bergen, Norway..
| | - Heidi Amlund
- National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), P.O. Box 2029 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway.
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Shao Y, Figeys D, Ning Z, Mailloux R, Chan HM. Methylmercury can induce Parkinson's-like neurotoxicity similar to 1-methyl-4- phenylpyridinium: a genomic and proteomic analysis on MN9D dopaminergic neuron cells. J Toxicol Sci 2016; 40:817-28. [PMID: 26558463 DOI: 10.2131/jts.40.817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to environmental chemicals has been implicated as a possible risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Our previous study showed that methylmercury (MeHg) exposure can disrupt synthesis, uptake and metabolism of dopamine similar to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)). The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of MeHg exposure on gene and protein profiles in a dopaminergic MN9D cell line. MN9D cells were treated with MeHg (1-5 μM) and MPP(+) (10-40 μM) for 48 hr. Real-time PCR Parkinson's disease (PD) arrays and high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) were performed for the analysis. PD PCR array results showed that 19% genes were significantly changed in the 2.5 μM MeHg treated cells, and 39% genes were changed in the 5 μM MeHg treated cells. In comparison, MPP(+) treatment (40 µM) resulted in significant changes in 25% genes. A total of 15 common genes were altered by both MeHg and MPP(+), and dopaminergic signaling transduction was the most affected pathway. Proteomic analysis identified a total of 2496 proteins, of which 188, 233 and 395 proteins were differentially changed by 1 μM and 2.5 μM MeHg, and MPP(+) respectively. A total of 61 common proteins were changed by both MeHg and MPP(+) treatment. The changed proteins were mainly involved in energetic generation-related metabolism pathway (propanoate metabolism, pyruvate metabolism and fatty acid metabolism), oxidative phosphorylation, proteasome, PD and other neurodegenerative disorders. A total of 7 genes/proteins including Ube2l3 (Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 L3) and Th (Tyrosine 3-monooxygenase) were changed in both genomic and proteomic analysis. These results suggest that MeHg and MPP(+) share many similar signaling pathways leading to the pathogenesis of PD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueting Shao
- Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Canada
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Yadetie F, Bjørneklett S, Garberg HK, Oveland E, Berven F, Goksøyr A, Karlsen OA. Quantitative analyses of the hepatic proteome of methylmercury-exposed Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) suggest oxidative stress-mediated effects on cellular energy metabolism. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:554. [PMID: 27496535 PMCID: PMC4974784 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2864-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methylmecury (MeHg) is a widely distributed environmental pollutant with considerable risk to both human health and wildlife. To gain better insight into the underlying mechanisms of MeHg-mediated toxicity, we have used label-free quantitative mass spectrometry to analyze the liver proteome of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) exposed in vivo to MeHg (0, 0.5, 2 mg/kg body weight) for 2 weeks. RESULTS Out of a toltal of 1143 proteins quantified, 125 proteins were differentially regulated between MeHg-treated samples and controls. Using various bioinformatics tools, we performed gene ontology, pathway and network enrichment analysis, which indicated that proteins and pathways mainly related to energy metabolism, antioxidant defense, cytoskeleton remodeling, and protein synthesis were regulated in the hepatic proteome after MeHg exposure. Comparison with previous gene expression data strengthened these results, and further supported that MeHg predominantly affects many energy metabolism pathways, presumably through its strong induction of oxidative stress. Some enzymes known to have functionally important oxidation-sensitive cysteine residues in other animals are among the differentially regulated proteins, suggesting their modulations by MeHg-induced oxidative stress. Integrated analysis of the proteomics dataset combined with previous gene expression dataset showed a more pronounced effect of MeHg on amino acid, glucose and fatty acid metabolic pathways, and suggested possible interactions of the cellular energy metabolism and antioxidant defense pathways. CONCLUSIONS MeHg disrupts mainly redox homeostasis and energy generating metabolic pathways in cod liver. The energy pathways appear to be modulated through MeHg-induced oxidative stress, possibly mediated by oxidation sensitive enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fekadu Yadetie
- Department of Biology, University of Bergen, PO Box 7803, N-5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Silje Bjørneklett
- Department of Biology, University of Bergen, PO Box 7803, N-5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Hilde Kristin Garberg
- Department of Biomedicine, Proteomics Unit (PROBE) at the University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Eystein Oveland
- Department of Biomedicine, Proteomics Unit (PROBE) at the University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Frode Berven
- Department of Biomedicine, Proteomics Unit (PROBE) at the University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Anders Goksøyr
- Department of Biology, University of Bergen, PO Box 7803, N-5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Odd André Karlsen
- Department of Biology, University of Bergen, PO Box 7803, N-5020, Bergen, Norway.
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Shao Y, Yamamoto M, Figeys D, Ning Z, Chan HM. Proteome profiling reveals regional protein alteration in cerebrum of common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) exposed to methylmercury. Toxicology 2016; 347-349:29-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2016.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Revised: 02/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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de Oliveira Souza VC, de Marco KC, Laure HJ, Rosa JC, Barbosa F. A brain proteome profile in rats exposed to methylmercury or thimerosal (ethylmercury). JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2016; 79:502-512. [PMID: 27294299 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2016.1182003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to organomercurials has been associated with harmful effects on the central nervous system (CNS). However, the mechanisms underlying organomercurial-mediated neurotoxic effects need to be elucidated. Exposure to toxic elements may promote cellular modifications such as alterations in protein synthesis in an attempt to protect tissues and organs from damage. In this context, the use of a "proteomic profile" is an important tool to identify potential early biomarkers or targets indicative of neurotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate potential modifications in rat cerebral cell proteome following exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) or ethylmercury (EtHg). For MeHg exposure, animals were administered by gavage daily 140 µg/kg/d of Hg (as MeHg) for 60 d and sacrificed 24 h after the last treatment. For EtHg exposure, 800 µg/kg/d of Hg (as EtHg) was given intramuscularly (im) in a single dose and rats were sacrificed after 4 h. Control groups received saline either by gavage or im. After extraction of proteins from whole brain samples and separation by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), 26 differentially expressed proteins were identified from exposed animals by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF). Both MeHg and EtHg exposure induced an overexpression of calbindin, a protein that acts as a neuroprotective agent by (1) adjusting the concentration of Ca(2+) within cells and preventing neurodegenerative diseases and (2) decreasing expression of glutamine synthetase, a crucial protein involved in regulation of glutamate concentration in synaptic cleft. In contrast, expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), a protein involved in antioxidant defense, was elevated in brain of MeHg-exposed animals. Taken together, our data provide new valuable information on the possible molecular mechanisms associated with MeHg- and EtHg-mediated toxicity in cerebral tissue. These observed protein alterations may be considered as biomarkers candidates for biological monitoring of organomercurial poisoning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Cristina de Oliveira Souza
- a Department of Clinical, Bromatological and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Kátia Cristina de Marco
- a Department of Clinical, Bromatological and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Hélen Julie Laure
- b Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - José Cesar Rosa
- b Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Fernando Barbosa
- a Department of Clinical, Bromatological and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil
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