Expression and inducibility of aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway genes in wild-caught killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) with different contaminant-exposure histories. 2003

Joel N Meyer, and Deena M Wassenberg, and Sibel I Karchner, and Mark E Hahn, and Richard T Di Giulio
Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences and Integrated Toxicology Program, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0328, USA.

Wildcaught killifish from a contaminated site on the Elizabeth River (VA, USA) are refractory to induction of cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A, measured as catalytic activity and immunodetectable CYP1A protein) after exposure to typical aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonists, as has been reported for fish from other sites highly contaminated with these compounds. In an attempt to understand the molecular basis for the lack of inducibility of CYP1A protein expression and activity in Elizabeth River killifish, we analyzed the expression of CYP1A and four other members of the AHR signal transduction pathway: AHR1, AHR2, AHR repressor (AHRR), and AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT). Gene expression was measured by cycle-optimized reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) extracted from livers of killifish from the Elizabeth River and King's Creek (VA, USA) (reference site), 36 h after injection with beta-naphthoflavone (BNF, an AHR agonist) or corn oil (carrier control). Hepatic CYP1A mRNA was inducible in King's Creek killifish. However, in Elizabeth River killifish, no induction of CYP1A mRNA was observed, confirming and extending previous results showing no induction of CYP1A protein or catalytic activity in this population. Similarly, AHRR and AHR2 mRNA levels were induced by BNF in King's Creek but not Elizabeth River killifish. No population or treatment-related differences were observed in expression of AHR1 or ARNT mRNAs. The results reveal in Elizabeth River killifish a consistent lack of inducibility of genes that are normally inducible by AHR agonists (CYP1A, AHRR, AHR2). However, the expression of AHR1, AHR2, and AHRR in vehicle-treated fish did not differ between Elizabeth River and King's Creek killifish, suggesting that altered constitutive expression of AHRs or AHRR does not underlie the refractory CYP1A phenotype in Elizabeth River killifish.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010641 Phenotype The outward appearance of the individual. It is the product of interactions between genes, and between the GENOTYPE and the environment. Phenotypes
D011084 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Aromatic hydrocarbons that contain extended fused-ring structures. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon,Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic,Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon,Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons,Aromatic Hydrocarbon, Polycyclic,Aromatic Hydrocarbon, Polynuclear,Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Polycyclic,Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Polynuclear,Aromatic Polycyclic Hydrocarbons,Hydrocarbon, Polycyclic Aromatic,Hydrocarbon, Polynuclear Aromatic,Hydrocarbons, Aromatic Polycyclic,Hydrocarbons, Polycyclic Aromatic,Hydrocarbons, Polynuclear Aromatic
D004781 Environmental Exposure The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents in the environment or to environmental factors that may include ionizing radiation, pathogenic organisms, or toxic chemicals. Exposure, Environmental,Environmental Exposures,Exposures, Environmental
D004790 Enzyme Induction An increase in the rate of synthesis of an enzyme due to the presence of an inducer which acts to derepress the gene responsible for enzyme synthesis. Induction, Enzyme
D000222 Adaptation, Physiological The non-genetic biological changes of an organism in response to challenges in its ENVIRONMENT. Adaptation, Physiologic,Adaptations, Physiologic,Adaptations, Physiological,Adaptive Plasticity,Phenotypic Plasticity,Physiological Adaptation,Physiologic Adaptation,Physiologic Adaptations,Physiological Adaptations,Plasticity, Adaptive,Plasticity, Phenotypic
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000835 Animals, Wild Animals considered to be wild or feral or not adapted for domestic use. It does not include wild animals in zoos for which ANIMALS, ZOO is available. Animals, Nondomestic,Animals, Nondomesticated,Animals, Feral,Stray Animals,Animal, Feral,Animal, Nondomestic,Animal, Nondomesticated,Animal, Stray,Animal, Wild,Animals, Stray,Feral Animal,Feral Animals,Nondomestic Animal,Nondomestic Animals,Nondomesticated Animal,Nondomesticated Animals,Stray Animal,Wild Animal,Wild Animals
D015398 Signal Transduction The intracellular transfer of information (biological activation/inhibition) through a signal pathway. In each signal transduction system, an activation/inhibition signal from a biologically active molecule (hormone, neurotransmitter) is mediated via the coupling of a receptor/enzyme to a second messenger system or to an ion channel. Signal transduction plays an important role in activating cellular functions, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Examples of signal transduction systems are the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-postsynaptic receptor-calcium ion channel system, the receptor-mediated T-cell activation pathway, and the receptor-mediated activation of phospholipases. Those coupled to membrane depolarization or intracellular release of calcium include the receptor-mediated activation of cytotoxic functions in granulocytes and the synaptic potentiation of protein kinase activation. Some signal transduction pathways may be part of larger signal transduction pathways; for example, protein kinase activation is part of the platelet activation signal pathway. Cell Signaling,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Pathways,Receptor Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Transduction Pathways,Signal Transduction Systems,Pathway, Signal,Pathway, Signal Transduction,Pathways, Signal,Pathways, Signal Transduction,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transductions,Signal Pathway,Signal Transduction Pathway,Signal Transduction System,Signal Transduction, Receptor-Mediated,Signal Transductions,Signal Transductions, Receptor-Mediated,System, Signal Transduction,Systems, Signal Transduction,Transduction, Signal,Transductions, Signal
D045483 Rivers Large natural streams of FRESH WATER formed by converging tributaries and which empty into a body of water (lake or ocean). Streams,River,Stream
D018336 Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon Cytoplasmic proteins that bind certain aryl hydrocarbons, translocate to the nucleus, and activate transcription of particular DNA segments. AH receptors are identified by their high-affinity binding to several carcinogenic or teratogenic environmental chemicals including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in cigarette smoke and smog, heterocyclic amines found in cooked foods, and halogenated hydrocarbons including dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls. No endogenous ligand has been identified, but an unknown natural messenger with a role in cell differentiation and development is suspected. AH Receptors,Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptors,Dioxin Receptors,Receptors, AH,Receptors, Dioxin,TCDD Receptors,AH Receptor,Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor,Dioxin Receptor,Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon Receptor,Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon Receptors,Receptors, 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin,Receptors, Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon,Receptors, TCDD,TCDD Receptor,Receptor, AH,Receptor, Aryl Hydrocarbon,Receptor, Dioxin,Receptor, Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon,Receptor, TCDD

Related Publications

Joel N Meyer, and Deena M Wassenberg, and Sibel I Karchner, and Mark E Hahn, and Richard T Di Giulio
January 2004, Marine environmental research,
Joel N Meyer, and Deena M Wassenberg, and Sibel I Karchner, and Mark E Hahn, and Richard T Di Giulio
March 2004, Contemporary topics in laboratory animal science,
Joel N Meyer, and Deena M Wassenberg, and Sibel I Karchner, and Mark E Hahn, and Richard T Di Giulio
January 2015, Aquatic toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands),
Joel N Meyer, and Deena M Wassenberg, and Sibel I Karchner, and Mark E Hahn, and Richard T Di Giulio
February 2004, Pharmacogenetics,
Joel N Meyer, and Deena M Wassenberg, and Sibel I Karchner, and Mark E Hahn, and Richard T Di Giulio
September 2019, Biological chemistry,
Joel N Meyer, and Deena M Wassenberg, and Sibel I Karchner, and Mark E Hahn, and Richard T Di Giulio
October 2016, Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Toxicology & pharmacology : CBP,
Joel N Meyer, and Deena M Wassenberg, and Sibel I Karchner, and Mark E Hahn, and Richard T Di Giulio
January 2014, BMC evolutionary biology,
Joel N Meyer, and Deena M Wassenberg, and Sibel I Karchner, and Mark E Hahn, and Richard T Di Giulio
October 2010, Environmental health perspectives,
Joel N Meyer, and Deena M Wassenberg, and Sibel I Karchner, and Mark E Hahn, and Richard T Di Giulio
December 2004, Environmental health perspectives,
Joel N Meyer, and Deena M Wassenberg, and Sibel I Karchner, and Mark E Hahn, and Richard T Di Giulio
January 2006, Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Toxicology & pharmacology : CBP,
Copied contents to your clipboard!