Using proteomics, q-PCR and biochemical methods complementing as a multiapproach to elicit the crucial responses of zebrafish liver exposed to neonicotinoid pesticide

Pesticides enter the environment through runoff and leaching and this raises public concern about effects on non-target organisms. Imidacloprid (IMI) a synthetic pesticide, has an unstable half-life, metabolized in minutes to weeks in the water. To evaluate the effects of IMI on the zebrafish liver, we conducted proteomic, molecular and biochemical analysis in a multi-level approach, to highlight the complementary features regarding the results of each method. Adult zebrafish were exposed to 60 mg/L IMI for 48 h and were evaluated using nLC-MS/MS for proteins, q-PCR analysis for expression of cat, gpx, pxr, ache, along with CAT and AChE enzyme activities and GSH and MDA assays. Based on proteomics, the regulation of antioxidant and immune responses, as well as gene transcription were significant processes affected. Apoptosis and ER stress pathways were upregulated and there was a down-regulation of cat and gpx genes. There was also elevated CAT activity and GSH and decreased MDA. Additionally, elevated AChE activity and up regulation of ache expression was observed. The multi-approach results included regulators of antioxidant, xenobiotic response and neuro-protective related proteins (genes and enzymes), which overall reflected harmful effects of IMI. Consequently, this study highlights the effects of IMI on zebrafish liver and reveals new potential biomarkers. In this respect, evaluated outcomes reveal the complementary features emphasizing the importance of studying chemicals using several methods. Our study provides deeper insights for future work in ecotoxicological studies regarding IMI and contribute to existing toxicity literature.

Evaluation of Antibacterial Potencies of Eight Lichen Extracts Against Gram-Positive Moderately Halophilic Bacteria

Considering the global economic importance of the leather sector in world trade, overcoming the microbiological problems, especially arise from halophilic bacteria, will greatly reduce product losses. In this study, lichen species including Usnea sp., Platismatia glauca, Ramalina farinacea, Evernia divaricata, Bryoria capillaris, Hypogymnia tubulosa, Pseudevernia furfuracea and Lobaria pulmonaria were examined for their antibacterial efficacies against Staphylococcus saprophyticus subsp. saprophyticus (TR5) and Salinicoccus roseus (KV3) which are proteolytic and lipolytic Gram-positive moderately halophilic bacteria. The extracts of P. glauca, B. capillaris, P. furfuracea, and L. pulmonaria had no antibacterial efficiency against test bacteria. On the other hand, the extracts of H. tubulosa, R. farinacea, Usnea sp., and E. divaricata had considerable antibacterial effect with varying percentages of inhibition. The maximum inhibition ratios at the tested concentrations of 240-15 µg/ml for lichen samples of H. tubulosa, R. farinacea, Usnea sp, and E. divaricata were detected as 94.72±0.75%, 76.10±1.85%, 99.36±0.04%, 89.49±2.26% for TR5 and 97.44±0.14%, 95.92±0.29%, 97.97±0.39%, 97.58±0.53% for KV3, respectively. The most remarkable suppression was obtained with Usnea sp. extracts against KV3. These results indicate the need for further studies investigating the applicability of these natural resources to control moderately halophilic bacteria in the preservation of raw hides/skins.