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Metaxas A. Imbalances in Copper or Zinc Concentrations Trigger Further Trace Metal Dyshomeostasis in Amyloid-Beta Producing Caenorhabditis elegans. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:755475. [PMID: 34707479 PMCID: PMC8542683 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.755475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the buildup of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques, is believed to be a disease of trace metal dyshomeostasis. Amyloid-beta is known to bind with high affinity to trace metals copper and zinc. This binding is believed to cause a conformational change in Aβ, transforming Aβ into a configuration more amenable to forming aggregations. Currently, the impact of Aβ-trace metal binding on trace metal homeostasis and the role of trace metals copper and zinc as deleterious or beneficial in AD remain elusive. Given that Alzheimer's Disease is the sixth leading cause of adult death in the U.S., elucidating the molecular interactions that characterize Alzheimer's Disease pathogenesis will allow for better treatment options. To that end, the model organism C. elegans is used in this study. C. elegans, a transparent nematode whose connectome has been fully established, is an amenable model to study AD phenomena using a multi-layered, interconnected approach. Aβ-producing and non-Aβ-producing C. elegans were individually supplemented with copper and zinc. On day 6 and day 9 after synchronization, the percent of worms paralyzed, concentration of copper, and concentration of zinc were measured in both groups of worms. This study demonstrates that dyshomeostasis of trace metals copper or zinc triggers further trace metal dyshomeostasis in Aβ-producing worms, while dyshomeostasis of copper or zinc triggers a return to equilibrium in non-Aβ-producing worms. This supports the characterization of Alzheimer's Disease as a disease of trace metal dyshomeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada Metaxas
- Princeton High School, Princeton, NJ, United States
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2
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Viau C, Haçariz O, Karimian F, Xia J. Comprehensive phenotyping and transcriptome profiling to study nanotoxicity in C. elegans. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8684. [PMID: 32149031 PMCID: PMC7049462 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered nanoparticles are used at an increasing rate in both industry and medicine without fully understanding their impact on health and environment. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a suitable model to study the toxic effects of nanoparticles as it is amenable to comprehensive phenotyping, such as locomotion, growth, neurotoxicity and reproduction. In this study, we systematically evaluated the effects of silver (Ag) and five metal oxide nanoparticles: SiO2, CeO2, CuO, Al2O3 and TiO2. The results showed that Ag and SiO2 exposures had the most toxic effects on locomotion velocity, growth and reproduction, whereas CeO2, Al2O3 and CuO exposures were mostly neurotoxic. We further performed RNAseq to compare the gene expression profiles underlying Ag and SiO2toxicities. Gene set enrichment analyses revealed that exposures to Ag and SiO2consistently downregulated several biological processes (regulations in locomotion, reproductive process and cell growth) and pathways (neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, wnt and MAPK signaling, etc.), with opposite effects on genes involved in innate immunity. Our results contribute to mechanistic insights into toxicity of Ag and SiO2 nanoparticles and demonstrated that C. elegans as a valuable model for nanotoxicity assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Viau
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Orçun Haçariz
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Farial Karimian
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jianguo Xia
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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3
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Weinhouse C, Truong L, Meyer JN, Allard P. Caenorhabditis elegans as an emerging model system in environmental epigenetics. ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 2018; 59:560-575. [PMID: 30091255 PMCID: PMC6113102 DOI: 10.1002/em.22203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The roundworm Caenorhabitis elegans has been an established model organism for the study of genetics and developmental biology, including studies of transcriptional regulation, since the 1970s. This model organism has continued to be used as a classical model system as the field of transcriptional regulation has expanded to include scientific advances in epigenetics and chromatin biology. In the last several decades, C. elegans has emerged as a powerful model for environmental toxicology, particularly for the study of chemical genotoxicity. Here, we outline the utility and applicability of C. elegans as a powerful model organism for mechanistic studies of environmental influences on the epigenome. Our goal in this article is to inform the field of environmental epigenetics of the strengths and limitations of the well-established C. elegans model organism as an emerging model for medium-throughput, in vivo exploration of the role of exogenous chemical stimuli in transcriptional regulation, developmental epigenetic reprogramming, and epigenetic memory and inheritance. As the field of environmental epigenetics matures, and research begins to map mechanisms underlying observed associations, new toolkits and model systems, particularly manipulable, scalable in vivo systems that accurately model human transcriptional regulatory circuits, will provide an essential experimental bridge between in vitro biochemical experiments and mammalian model systems. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:560-575, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caren Weinhouse
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Lisa Truong
- UCLA Human Genetics and Genomic Analysis Training Program, University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles, California
| | - Joel N. Meyer
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Patrick Allard
- Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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4
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Moyson S, Vissenberg K, Fransen E, Blust R, Husson SJ. Mixture effects of copper, cadmium, and zinc on mortality and behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2018; 37:145-159. [PMID: 28786503 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The toxicity effects of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and cadmium (Cd), both as single metals and in combination, were examined in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Metal effects on lethality were analyzed in a time-dependent manner using different concentrations in K-medium. To investigate the effects on locomotion and chemosensation, lethal concentration at 20% (LC20) values were used. The results showed that Cu toxicity was higher compared with Cd and Zn, resulting in higher mortality rates and a more reduced locomotion. Lethality increased over time for all metals. When Cd was added to Cu, and vice versa, significant increases in toxicity were noted. Different interaction effects were observed for the mixtures ZnCd, ZnCu, CuCd, and ZnCuCd. Zinc seemed to have a neutral toxic effect on Cd, while in combination with Cu, a similar additive effect was seen as for the CuCd combination. Binary and tertiary metal mixtures caused a strong decrease in locomotion, except for the ZnCd combination, where Zn seemed to have a neutral effect. After LC2024 h exposure, reduced crawling speed (except for Zn) and reduced thrashing behavior (except for Zn and the ZnCd mixture) were observed. Almost no significant effects were observed on chemosensation. Because the same trend of mixture effects was noted in locomotion and in lethality tests, locomotion can probably be considered a sensitive endpoint for metal toxicities. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:145-159. © 2017 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Moyson
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kris Vissenberg
- Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Plant Biochemistry & Biotechnology Lab, Department of Agriculture, School of Agriculture, Food & Nutrition, University of Applied Sciences Crete-Technological Educational Institute, Stavromenos, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Erik Fransen
- StatUa Center for Statistics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ronny Blust
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Steven J Husson
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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van der Bliek AM, Sedensky MM, Morgan PG. Cell Biology of the Mitochondrion. Genetics 2017; 207:843-871. [PMID: 29097398 PMCID: PMC5676242 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.117.300262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are best known for harboring pathways involved in ATP synthesis through the tricarboxylic acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. Major advances in understanding these roles were made with Caenorhabditiselegans mutants affecting key components of the metabolic pathways. These mutants have not only helped elucidate some of the intricacies of metabolism pathways, but they have also served as jumping off points for pharmacology, toxicology, and aging studies. The field of mitochondria research has also undergone a renaissance, with the increased appreciation of the role of mitochondria in cell processes other than energy production. Here, we focus on discoveries that were made using C. elegans, with a few excursions into areas that were studied more thoroughly in other organisms, like mitochondrial protein import in yeast. Advances in mitochondrial biogenesis and membrane dynamics were made through the discoveries of novel functions in mitochondrial fission and fusion proteins. Some of these functions were only apparent through the use of diverse model systems, such as C. elegans Studies of stress responses, exemplified by mitophagy and the mitochondrial unfolded protein response, have also benefitted greatly from the use of model organisms. Recent developments include the discoveries in C. elegans of cell autonomous and nonautonomous pathways controlling the mitochondrial unfolded protein response, as well as mechanisms for degradation of paternal mitochondria after fertilization. The evolutionary conservation of many, if not all, of these pathways ensures that results obtained with C. elegans are equally applicable to studies of human mitochondria in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M van der Bliek
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Molecular Biology Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90024
| | - Margaret M Sedensky
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington and Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Washington 98101
| | - Phil G Morgan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington and Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Washington 98101
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Ghazy HA, Abdel-Razek MAS, El Nahas AF, Mahmoud S. Assessment of complex water pollution with heavy metals and Pyrethroid pesticides on transcript levels of metallothionein and immune related genes. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 68:318-326. [PMID: 28734967 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2017.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 07/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Alteration of immunological function of an aquatic organism can be used as an indicator for evaluating the direct effect of exposure to pollutants. The aim of this work is to assess the impact of complex water pollution with special reference to Pyrethroid pesticides and heavy metals on mRNA transcript levels of Metallothionine and some immune related genes of Nile tilapia (Oreochromas Niloticus). Residues of six heavy metals and six Pyrethroid were assessed in water as well as fish tissues at three different sites of Lake Burullus, located at Northern Egypt. Variations of water physicochemical properties associated with different levels of heavy metals at the three different sections were recorded. Tissue residues of Fe, Mn and Zn, Cu, Ni exceed water levels in contrast to elevated water level of Pb. All assessed Pyrethroids are detected in fish tissue samples with higher concentration (3-42 folds) than that found in water samples especially Cypermethrin. Significant down-regulation of expression levels of metallothionein (MT) at the three sections of the lake was observed. The expression of immune related genes (IgM) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL.8 and IL.1) were affected. IgM and TNF were significantly down-regulated at eastern and western section of the lake; meanwhile the expression of IL8 is down regulated at the three sections of the lack. IL1 was significantly up-regulated at eastern and middle sections. We conclude that, variable gene expression of MT and immune-related genes at the three sections of the lack impose different response to complex water pollution in relation to variable aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haneen A Ghazy
- Biotechnology Department, Animal Health Research Institute, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A S Abdel-Razek
- Department (Chemistry and Toxicity) of Pesticides, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt
| | - Abeer F El Nahas
- Animal Wealth and Animal Husbandry Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt.
| | - Shawky Mahmoud
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt
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Keeran NS, Ganesan G, Parida AK. A novel heavy metal ATPase peptide from Prosopis juliflora is involved in metal uptake in yeast and tobacco. Transgenic Res 2017; 26:247-261. [PMID: 27888434 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-016-0002-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution of agricultural soils is one of the most severe ecological problems in the world. Prosopis juliflora, a phreatophytic tree species, grows well in heavy metal laden industrial sites and is known to accumulate heavy metals. Heavy Metal ATPases (HMAs) are ATP driven heavy metal pumps that translocate heavy metals across biological membranes thus helping the plant in heavy metal tolerance and phytoremediation. In the present study we have isolated and characterized a novel 28.9 kDa heavy metal ATPase peptide (PjHMT) from P. juliflora which shows high similarity to the C-terminal region of P1B ATPase HMA1. It also shows the absence of the invariant signature sequence DKTGT, and the metal binding CPX motif but the presence of conserved regions like MVGEGINDAPAL (ATP binding consensus sequence), HEGGTLLVCLNS (metal binding domain) and MLTGD, GEGIND and HEGG motifs which play important roles in metal transport or ATP binding. PjHMT, was found to be upregulated under cadmium and zinc stress. Heterologous expression of PjHMT in yeast showed a higher accumulation and tolerance of heavy metals in yeast. Further, transgenic tobacco plants constitutively expressing PjHMT also showed increased accumulation and tolerance to cadmium. Thus, this study suggests that the transport peptide from P. juliflora may have an important role in Cd uptake and thus in phytoremediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha S Keeran
- Plant Molecular Biology Lab, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, 3rd Cross Street, Institutional Area, Taramani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 113, India
| | - G Ganesan
- Plant Molecular Biology Lab, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, 3rd Cross Street, Institutional Area, Taramani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 113, India
- Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM University, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603 203, India
| | - Ajay K Parida
- Plant Molecular Biology Lab, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, 3rd Cross Street, Institutional Area, Taramani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 113, India.
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Kumar R, Pradhan A, Khan FA, Lindström P, Ragnvaldsson D, Ivarsson P, Olsson PE, Jass J. Comparative Analysis of Stress Induced Gene Expression in Caenorhabditis elegans following Exposure to Environmental and Lab Reconstituted Complex Metal Mixture. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132896. [PMID: 26168046 PMCID: PMC4500601 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Metals are essential for many physiological processes and are ubiquitously present in the environment. However, high metal concentrations can be harmful to organisms and lead to physiological stress and diseases. The accumulation of transition metals in the environment due to either natural processes or anthropogenic activities such as mining results in the contamination of water and soil environments. The present study used Caenorhabditis elegans to evaluate gene expression as an indicator of physiological response, following exposure to water collected from three different locations downstream of a Swedish mining site and a lab reconstituted metal mixture. Our results indicated that the reconstituted metal mixture exerted a direct stress response in C. elegans whereas the environmental waters elicited either a diminished or abrogated response. This suggests that it is not sufficient to use the biological effects observed from laboratory mixtures to extrapolate the effects observed in complex aquatic environments and apply this to risk assessment and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjeet Kumar
- School of Science and Technology, The Life Science Center-Biology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Ajay Pradhan
- School of Science and Technology, The Life Science Center-Biology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Faisal Ahmad Khan
- School of Science and Technology, The Life Science Center-Biology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Per-Erik Olsson
- School of Science and Technology, The Life Science Center-Biology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Jana Jass
- School of Science and Technology, The Life Science Center-Biology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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Stürzenbaum S, Aschner M, Freedman JH. Toxicogenomics in non-mammalian species-Editorial. Front Genet 2012; 3:216. [PMID: 23087709 PMCID: PMC3472458 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2012.00216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 09/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Stürzenbaum
- Analytical and Environmental Science Division, School of Biomedical Sciences, King's College London London, UK
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