1
|
Carnicero B, Fuentes R, Sanhueza N, Mattos H, Aguirre-Campos C, Contreras D, Troncoso E, Henríquez JP, Boltaña S. Sublethal neurotoxicity of saxitoxin in early zebrafish development: Impact on sensorimotor function and neurotransmission systems. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27874. [PMID: 38545180 PMCID: PMC10966597 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Saxitoxin (STX) represents a marine toxin of significant concern due to its deleterious implications for aquatic ecosystems and public food safety. As a potent paralytic agent, the role of STX in obstructing voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) is well-characterized. Yet, the mechanistic details underlying its low-dose toxicity remain largely enigmatic. In the current study, zebrafish embryos and larvae were subjected to subchronic exposure of graded STX concentrations (0, 1, 10, and 100 μg/L) until the 7th day post-fertilization. A tactile stimulus-based assay was employed to evaluate potential behavioral perturbations resulting from STX exposure. Both behavioral and transcription level analyses unveiled a compromised tactile response, which was found to be associated with a notable upregulation in the mRNA of two distinct VGSC isoforms, specifically the scn8aa/ab and scn1Laa/ab transcripts, even at the minimal STX dose. Notably, exposure to this lowest STX concentration also resulted in alterations in the transcriptional patterns of pivotal genes for cholinergic and GABAergic pathways, including ache and gabra1. Furthermore, STX induced a marked decrease in the levels of the neurotransmitter GABA. Our findings underscore that prolonged low-dose STX exposure during early development can significantly compromise the tactile response behavior in zebrafish. This study reveals that chronic low-dose STX exposure of developing zebrafish alters neurotransmission pathways that converge on altered tactile behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Carnicero
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Departamento de Oceanografía, Centro de Biotecnología, ThermoFish Lab, Universidad de Concepción, 4030000, Concepción, Chile
| | - Ricardo Fuentes
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Chile
| | - Nataly Sanhueza
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Departamento de Oceanografía, Centro de Biotecnología, ThermoFish Lab, Universidad de Concepción, 4030000, Concepción, Chile
| | - Humberto Mattos
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Departamento de Oceanografía, Centro de Biotecnología, ThermoFish Lab, Universidad de Concepción, 4030000, Concepción, Chile
| | - Constanza Aguirre-Campos
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Chile
| | - David Contreras
- Biotechnology Center, Renewable Resources Laboratory, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, 4030000, Chile
| | - Eduardo Troncoso
- Biotechnology Center, Renewable Resources Laboratory, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, 4030000, Chile
| | - Juan Pablo Henríquez
- Neuromuscular Studies Lab (NeSt Lab), Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Sebastián Boltaña
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Departamento de Oceanografía, Centro de Biotecnología, ThermoFish Lab, Universidad de Concepción, 4030000, Concepción, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu Z, Wang Z, Wei Y, Shi J, Shi T, Chen X, Li L. Transcriptomic Profiling of Tetrodotoxin-Induced Neurotoxicity in Human Cerebral Organoids. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:588. [PMID: 37999412 PMCID: PMC10672545 DOI: 10.3390/md21110588] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is an exceedingly toxic non-protein biotoxin that demonstrates remarkable selectivity and affinity for sodium channels on the excitation membrane of nerves. This property allows TTX to effectively obstruct nerve conduction, resulting in nerve paralysis and fatality. Although the mechanistic aspects of its toxicity are well understood, there is a dearth of literature addressing alterations in the neural microenvironment subsequent to TTX poisoning. In this research endeavor, we harnessed human pluripotent induced stem cells to generate cerebral organoids-an innovative model closely mirroring the structural and functional intricacies of the human brain. This model was employed to scrutinize the comprehensive transcriptomic shifts induced by TTX exposure, thereby delving into the neurotoxic properties of TTX and its potential underlying mechanisms. Our findings revealed 455 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs), 212 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs), and 18 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) in the TTX-exposed group when juxtaposed with the control cohort. Through meticulous Gene Ontology (GO) annotation, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, we ascertained that these differential genes predominantly participate in the regulation of voltage-gated channels and synaptic homeostasis. A comprehensive ceRNA network analysis unveiled that DEmRNAs exert control over the expression of ion channels and neurocytokines, suggesting their potential role in mediating apoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhanbiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China (J.S.)
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioresources Utilization of Ministry of Education, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian 116600, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioresources Utilization of Ministry of Education, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian 116600, China
| | - Yue Wei
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China (J.S.)
| | - Jingjing Shi
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China (J.S.)
| | - Tong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China (J.S.)
| | - Xuejun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China (J.S.)
| | - Liqin Li
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China (J.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li S, Chen X, Sun Q, Ren X, Zhong J, Zhou L, Zhang H, Li G, Liu Y, Liu J, Huang H. Long term exposure of saxitoxin induced cognitive deficits and YAP1 cytoplasmic retention. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 253:114645. [PMID: 36791486 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
While most studies assessed the acute toxicity of saxitoxin (STX), fewer studies focus on the long-term degenerative effects of STX on the central nervous system. We investigated the cognitive impairment and hippocampal damages of 6 months' exposure of low-dose STX to C57BL/6NJ mice with behavioral tests, H&E staining, and Western blots, and the possible mechanism (Ppp1C, YAP1, tau-phosphorylation) underlies the pathological changes. Furthermore, we discussed the specific localization of YAP1 in N2a cells induced by STX and the effect of inactivated Ppp1C on its downstream protein YAP1 in the Hippo signal pathway. We found STX intoxicated mice showed declined cognitive performance in both NOR test and MWM test, degenerations in the CA1 area of hippocampi. STX induced up-regulation expression of Ppp1C and YAP1 in hippocampus and N2a cells. Meanwhile, STX treatment induced cell apoptosis and Tau protein hyperphosphorylation. In addition, STX treatment promoted YAP1 cytoplasmic retention that indicates the activation of Hippo pathway, while depletion of Ppp1C inactivate YAP1 during the treatment of STX. Our results highlight the role of Ppp1C and YAP1 cytoplasmic retention in chronic low-dose STX intoxication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shenpan Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020-2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China; Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research), Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020-2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qian Sun
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020-2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523109, China
| | - Xiaohu Ren
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020-2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiacheng Zhong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020-2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Li Zhou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020-2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hongyu Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020-2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Guowei Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020-2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yungang Liu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research), Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020-2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Haiyan Huang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020-2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Adedara IA, Mohammed KA, Canzian J, Rosemberg DB, Aschner M, Farombi EO, Rocha JB. Nauphoeta cinerea as an emerging model in neurotoxicology. ADVANCES IN NEUROTOXICOLOGY 2023; 9:181-196. [PMID: 37389201 PMCID: PMC10310038 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ant.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Isaac A. Adedara
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Khadija A. Mohammed
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Julia Canzian
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Denis B. Rosemberg
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Ebenezer O. Farombi
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Joao Batista Rocha
- Department of Biochemical and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pitschmann V, Hon Z. Drugs as Chemical Weapons: Past and Perspectives. TOXICS 2023; 11:52. [PMID: 36668778 PMCID: PMC9866636 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11010052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of modern chemical weapons and chemical warfare is traditionally associated with World War I, but the use of poisons in the military has its roots deep in the past. The sources of these poisons have always been natural agents that also served as medicines. This relationship between poison and medicine, and nowadays between chemical warfare and medicine, or between 'military chemistry' and pharmacy, appears to be very important for understanding not only the history but also the possible future of both phenomena. This article looks at some historical examples of the use of drugs as chemical weapons and, conversely, the use of chemical weapons as medicines. It seeks to find answers to some questions that are particularly relevant to the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which aims to achieve a world without chemical warfare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vladimír Pitschmann
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Sítná sq. 3105, 272 01 Kladno, Czech Republic
- ORITEST spol. s r.o., Čerčanská 640/30, 140 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Hon
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Sítná sq. 3105, 272 01 Kladno, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Louzao MC, Vilariño N, Vale C, Costas C, Cao A, Raposo-Garcia S, Vieytes MR, Botana LM. Current Trends and New Challenges in Marine Phycotoxins. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20030198. [PMID: 35323497 PMCID: PMC8950113 DOI: 10.3390/md20030198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine phycotoxins are a multiplicity of bioactive compounds which are produced by microalgae and bioaccumulate in the marine food web. Phycotoxins affect the ecosystem, pose a threat to human health, and have important economic effects on aquaculture and tourism worldwide. However, human health and food safety have been the primary concerns when considering the impacts of phycotoxins. Phycotoxins toxicity information, often used to set regulatory limits for these toxins in shellfish, lacks traceability of toxicity values highlighting the need for predefined toxicological criteria. Toxicity data together with adequate detection methods for monitoring procedures are crucial to protect human health. However, despite technological advances, there are still methodological uncertainties and high demand for universal phycotoxin detectors. This review focuses on these topics, including uncertainties of climate change, providing an overview of the current information as well as future perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carmen Louzao
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (N.V.); (C.V.); (C.C.); (A.C.); (S.R.-G.)
- Correspondence: (M.C.L.); (L.M.B.)
| | - Natalia Vilariño
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (N.V.); (C.V.); (C.C.); (A.C.); (S.R.-G.)
| | - Carmen Vale
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (N.V.); (C.V.); (C.C.); (A.C.); (S.R.-G.)
| | - Celia Costas
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (N.V.); (C.V.); (C.C.); (A.C.); (S.R.-G.)
| | - Alejandro Cao
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (N.V.); (C.V.); (C.C.); (A.C.); (S.R.-G.)
| | - Sandra Raposo-Garcia
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (N.V.); (C.V.); (C.C.); (A.C.); (S.R.-G.)
| | - Mercedes R. Vieytes
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain;
| | - Luis M. Botana
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (N.V.); (C.V.); (C.C.); (A.C.); (S.R.-G.)
- Correspondence: (M.C.L.); (L.M.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Marine Neurotoxins' Effects on Environmental and Human Health: An OMICS Overview. Mar Drugs 2021; 20:md20010018. [PMID: 35049872 PMCID: PMC8778346 DOI: 10.3390/md20010018] [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: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Harmful algal blooms (HAB), and the consequent release of toxic metabolites, can be responsible for seafood poisoning outbreaks. Marine wildlife can accumulate these toxins throughout the food chain, which presents a threat to consumers’ health. Some of these toxins, such as saxitoxin (STX), domoic acid (DA), ciguatoxin (CTX), brevetoxin (BTX), tetrodotoxin (TTX), and β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), cause severe neurological symptoms in humans. Considerable information is missing, however, notably the consequences of toxin exposures on changes in gene expression, protein profile, and metabolic pathways. This information could lead to understanding the consequence of marine neurotoxin exposure in aquatic organisms and humans. Nevertheless, recent contributions to the knowledge of neurotoxins arise from OMICS-based research, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the most recent research and of the available solutions to explore OMICS datasets in order to identify new features in terms of ecotoxicology, food safety, and human health. In addition, future perspectives in OMICS studies are discussed.
Collapse
|