Differential gene expression analysis in Enchytraeus albidus exposed to natural and chemical stressors at different exposure periods
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ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Enchytraeus albidus
PROVIDER: GSE26896 | GEO | 2011/09/01
SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA135957
REPOSITORIES: GEO
Similar Datasets
Project description:The soil oligochaete Enchytraeus albidus is a standard test organism used in biological testing for Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA). Although effects are known at acute and chronic level, through survival, reproduction and avoidance behaviour endpoints, very little is known at the sub-cellular and molecular levels. In this study, the effects of soil properties (clay, organic matter and pH) and of the chemicals copper and phenmedipham were studied on gene expression in E. albidus during exposure periods of 2 days, 4 days and 3 weeks, using DNA microarrays based on a normalised cDNA library for this test species (Amorim et al., 2011) The main objectives of this study were: 1) to assess changes in gene expression of E. albidus over time, and 2) to identify molecular markers for natural and chemical exposures. Results showed a clear influence of exposure time in gene expression. Transcriptional responses to phenmedipham were seen at 2 days while the responses to copper and the different soils were more pronounced at 4 days of exposure. Some genes were differentially expressed in a stress specific manner and, in general, the responses were related with effects at energy metabolism and cell growth level. Fluorescently labelled cDNA, from enchytraeids exposed during 4 days and 3 weeks to control soil (LUFA 2.2) and to the different exposure conditions was synthesized for microarray analysis and hybridizations were performed. After scanning, spots were identified and ratios quantified using the QuantArray (Packard Biochip Technologies). Statistical analysis of the microarrays was performed using limmaGUI package (1.18.0) (Smyth, 2005) in the R (2.8.0) software environment (http://www.R-project.org/). After being submitted to local background subtraction, microarrays were normalized using global loess method. To statistically evaluate the differential gene expression between the different conditions, a gene-per-gene linear model (limma – linear model for microarray analysis) and empirical Bayes methods were applied. The results were then corrected for multiple testing using the Benjamini-Hochberg’s method (adjusted p<0.05 was considered significant) (Benjamini and Hochberg, 1995).
2011-08-31 | E-GEOD-26896 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Changes in soil properties (e.g. pH, organic matter content, granulometry) can influence chemical toxicity to organisms and act alone as stressors. Previous studies on Enchytraeus albidus showed that changes in soil properties caused effects on reproduction and avoidance behavior and also oxidative stress. In addition, results at the transcritptomic level indicated changes in gene expression profile due to soil properties changes. In this study, E. albidus was exposed to modified versions of the artificial standard OECD soil (different pH, OM and clay content) in different exposure times (2, 4 and 8 days). The gene expression profile was characterized using a class comparison statistical analysis. Results indicated that the transcriptional response was time dependent, with different genes being affected at different time points. Results also showed some genes (and biological functions) being affected in a soil specific way.
2011-09-07 | GSE27700 | GEO
Project description:Despite the increased utilization of nanoparticles, the behavior and effect in the environment is largely unknown and few resources are available for health and environmental effect studies. Enchytraeids are extensively used in studies of soil ecotoxicology and recently, a cDNA microarray for Enchytraeus albidus was developed, allowing also toxicogenomic studies in this species. These organisms are ecologically relevant small worms that indirectly contribute to the regulation and degradation of organic matter. In this study we compared the gene expression profiles of E. albidus when exposed to copper-salt (CuCl2) and copper nanoparticles (Cu-NP) spiked soil. The worms were exposed for 48 hours in soil to a range of concentrations. Microarray hybridizations revealed different response patterns between copper-salt and copper nanoparticles exposed organisms, these differences are mainly related with transcripts involved in the energy metabolism of the organisms. Despite unknown gene function in the data-set there are indications that Cu-salt and Cu-NP exposure induced specific gene level responses.
2011-09-08 | GSE26331 | GEO
Project description:Changes in soil properties (e.g. pH, organic matter content, granulometry) can influence chemical toxicity to organisms and act alone as stressors. Previous studies on Enchytraeus albidus showed that changes in soil properties caused effects on reproduction and avoidance behavior and also oxidative stress. In addition, results at the transcritptomic level indicated changes in gene expression profile due to soil properties changes. In this study, E. albidus was exposed to modified versions of the artificial standard OECD soil (different pH, OM and clay content) in different exposure times (2, 4 and 8 days). The gene expression profile was characterized using a class comparison statistical analysis. Results indicated that the transcriptional response was time dependent, with different genes being affected at different time points. Results also showed some genes (and biological functions) being affected in a soil specific way. Fluorescently labelled cDNA, from enchytraeids exposed during 2, 4 and 8 days OECD standard soil (Cy3) and to the different exposure conditions (modified OECD soil) (Cy5), was synthesized for microarray analysis and hybridizations were performed. After scanning (Agilent Microarray Scanner from Agilent Technologies), spots were identified and ratios quantified using Quantarray (Packard Biochip Technologies). Statistical analysis of the microarrays was performed using BRB Array Tools version 3.8.1 Stable Release (http://linus.nci.nih.gov/BRB-ArrayTools.html). After background subtraction, the replicated spots within each array were averaged, and microarrays were normalized using loess method (Smith and Speed, 2003). Statistical class comparison between groups of arrays was performed between each exposure condition and the respective “control” (exposure in OECD standard soil, for each time of exposure) using two-sample T-test and 95% of confidence level for the assessment of differentially expressed genes.
2011-09-06 | E-GEOD-27700 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Metals, including copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) are among the most common contaminants in soils in Europe. Although their effects are relatively well known regarding survival and reproduction of soil invertebrates, their modes of action in these organisms are still poorly studied. Enchytraeus albidus has been used in soil ecotoxicology for many years, and more recently has a gene library and an oligonucleotide microarray for this species which allowed gene expression studies. This has potentiated the means to study further in depth the mechanisms of response to stressors. The main aim of this study is to understand the mechanisms of response of E. albidus to Cu and Ni. For that we have 1) assessed and compared the transcriptomic profile of E. albidus in response to Cu and Ni and 2) compared the Cu, Ni, Cd and Zn transcriptomic profiles. For the microarray hybridizations, E. albidus were exposed to the reproduction effect concentrations EC50 and EC90 of Cu and Ni during 4 days. Results indicate that Cu and Ni have to some extent, similar mechanisms of toxicity and that have already been identified in other species, indicating cross-species conserved mechanisms. Based on hierarchical clustering, it was possible to observe a clear separation of Cd treatments from all other metals. This separation strongly correlates with the available information regarding the toxicokinetics of the tested metals, in which Ni shows properties similar to essential metals. Gene expression in E.albidus was measured 4 days after exposure to Copper, Nickel, Cadmium and Zinc at 2 concentrations of effect on reprocduction (EC50 and EC90). Three biological replicates per exposure condition and 6 biological replicates of control conditions were used.
2013-12-31 | E-GEOD-47662 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Despite the increased utilization of nanoparticles, the behavior and effect in the environment is largely unknown and few resources are available for health and environmental effect studies. Enchytraeids are extensively used in studies of soil ecotoxicology and recently, a cDNA microarray for Enchytraeus albidus was developed, allowing also toxicogenomic studies in this species. These organisms are ecologically relevant small worms that indirectly contribute to the regulation and degradation of organic matter. In this study we compared the gene expression profiles of E. albidus when exposed to copper-salt (CuCl2) and copper nanoparticles (Cu-NP) spiked soil. The worms were exposed for 48 hours in soil to a range of concentrations. Microarray hybridizations revealed different response patterns between copper-salt and copper nanoparticles exposed organisms, these differences are mainly related with transcripts involved in the energy metabolism of the organisms. Despite unknown gene function in the data-set there are indications that Cu-salt and Cu-NP exposure induced specific gene level responses. Fluorescently labelled cDNA, from enchytraeids exposed during 2 days to control soil (from Hygum site in Denmark) and to the different exposure conditions (Cy5), was synthesized for microarray analysis and hybridizations were performed. After scanning, spots were identified and ratios quantified using the QuantArray (Packard Biochip Technologies). Statistical analysis of the microarrays was performed using limmaGUI package (1.18.0) (Smyth, 2005) in the R (2.8.0) software environment (http://www.R-project.org/). After being submitted to local background subtraction, microarrays were normalized using global loess method. To statistically evaluate the differential gene expression between the different conditions, a gene-per-gene linear model (limma – linear model for microarray analysis) and empirical Bayes methods were applied. The results were then corrected for multiple testing using the Benjamini-Hochberg’s method (adjusted p<0.05 was considered significant) (Benjamini and Hochberg, 1995).
2011-09-07 | E-GEOD-26331 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Metals, including copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) are among the most common contaminants in soils in Europe. Although their effects are relatively well known regarding survival and reproduction of soil invertebrates, their modes of action in these organisms are still poorly studied. Enchytraeus albidus has been used in soil ecotoxicology for many years, and more recently has a gene library and an oligonucleotide microarray for this species which allowed gene expression studies. This has potentiated the means to study further in depth the mechanisms of response to stressors. The main aim of this study is to understand the mechanisms of response of E. albidus to Cu and Ni. For that we have 1) assessed and compared the transcriptomic profile of E. albidus in response to Cu and Ni and 2) compared the Cu, Ni, Cd and Zn transcriptomic profiles. For the microarray hybridizations, E. albidus were exposed to the reproduction effect concentrations EC50 and EC90 of Cu and Ni during 4 days. Results indicate that Cu and Ni have to some extent, similar mechanisms of toxicity and that have already been identified in other species, indicating cross-species conserved mechanisms. Based on hierarchical clustering, it was possible to observe a clear separation of Cd treatments from all other metals. This separation strongly correlates with the available information regarding the toxicokinetics of the tested metals, in which Ni shows properties similar to essential metals.
2013-12-31 | GSE47662 | GEO
Project description:Metal ecotoxicity on soil organisms, e.g. in Enchytraeids (also known as potworms), has been addressed mainly by assessing effects on survival and reproduction but very little is known about the molecular underlying mechanisms of responses. The main purpose of the present study was to assess and compare the transcriptional responses of Enchytraeus albidus to an essential (zinc) and a non-essential metal (cadmium). Exposure was performed to two concentrations of known effect on reproduction (EC50, EC90) at three time periods (2, 4 and 8 days). Results showed that transcriptional responses were influenced by exposure duration but, independently of that, the mechanisms of response to Cd and Zn were consistently different. Both metals affected pathways related with the regulation of gene expression, calcium homeostasis and cellular respiration. Mechanisms of toxicity that were exclusively associated with Cd exposures were the inhibition of DNA repair and the impairment of ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. The microarray for E. albidus was a useful tool to detect molecular pathways affected by metal exposures. Transcriptional responses strongly correlated with known mechanisms of Cd and Zn responses in other organisms, suggesting cross-species conserved mechanisms of action. It should be highlighted that we could not only retrieve mechanistic information, but also that genes responded within 2-8 days of exposure. This represents an additional advantage of using such molecular endpoints as a complement to the traditional, more time-consuming endpoints.
2012-07-01 | GSE33944 | GEO
Project description:Metal ecotoxicity on soil organisms, e.g. in Enchytraeids (also known as potworms), has been addressed mainly by assessing effects on survival and reproduction but very little is known about the molecular underlying mechanisms of responses. The main purpose of the present study was to assess and compare the transcriptional responses of Enchytraeus albidus to an essential (zinc) and a non-essential metal (cadmium). Exposure was performed to two concentrations of known effect on reproduction (EC50, EC90) at three time periods (2, 4 and 8 days). Results showed that transcriptional responses were influenced by exposure duration but, independently of that, the mechanisms of response to Cd and Zn were consistently different. Both metals affected pathways related with the regulation of gene expression, calcium homeostasis and cellular respiration. Mechanisms of toxicity that were exclusively associated with Cd exposures were the inhibition of DNA repair and the impairment of ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. The microarray for E. albidus was a useful tool to detect molecular pathways affected by metal exposures. Transcriptional responses strongly correlated with known mechanisms of Cd and Zn responses in other organisms, suggesting cross-species conserved mechanisms of action. It should be highlighted that we could not only retrieve mechanistic information, but also that genes responded within 2-8 days of exposure. This represents an additional advantage of using such molecular endpoints as a complement to the traditional, more time-consuming endpoints. Gene expression in E.albidus was measured at 2, 4, and 8 days after exposure to Cadmium and Zinc at 2 concentrations of effect on reprocduction (EC50 and EC90). Three biological replicates per exposure treatment in each time point and 4 biological replicates of control conditions were used.
2012-06-30 | E-GEOD-33944 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Background: Molecular mechanisms of response to pesticides are scarce and information on such responses from soil invertebrates is almost inexistent. Enchytraeus albidus (Oligochaeta) is a standard soil ecotoxicology model species for which effects of many pesticides are known on survival, reproduction and avoidance behaviour. With the recent microarray development additional information can be retrieved on the molecular effects. Methodology/Principal Findings: Experiments were performed to investigate the transcription responses of E. albidus when exposed to three pesticides – dimethoate (insecticide), atrazine (herbicide) and carbendazim (fungicide) – in a range of concentrations that inhibited reproduction by 10%, 20%, 50% and 90% (EC10, EC20, EC50 and EC90, respectively). The goal of this study was to further identify key biological processes affected by each compound and if dose-related. All three pesticides significantly affected biological processes like translation, regulation of the cell cycle or general response to stress. Intracellular signalling and microtubule-based movement were affected by dimethoate and carbendazim whereas atrazine affected lipid and steroid metabolism (also by dimethoate) or carbohydrate metabolism (also by carbendazim). Response to DNA damage/DNA repair was exclusively affected by carbendazim. Conclusions: Changes in gene expression were significantly altered after 2 days of exposure in a dose-related manner. The mechanisms of response were comparable with the ones for mammals, suggesting across species conserved modes of action. The present results indicate the potential of using gene expression in risk assessment and the advantage as early markers.
2012-05-28 | GSE33945 | GEO