Project description:Research on the effects of contaminants on fishes is often conducted on well-studied model test species, whose responses may be different than those of species of conservation concern. We used an oligonucleotide microarray to examine the effects of permethrin, a widely used pyrethroid pesticide, on a critically endangered fish species endemic to Northern California, the delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus). These results demonstrate the effects of a widely used pesticide on a sensitive fish species at concentrations below those that affect model test species.
Project description:Research on the effects of contaminants on fishes is often conducted on well-studied model test species, whose responses may be different than those of species of conservation concern. We used an oligonucleotide microarray to examine the effects of permethrin, a widely used pyrethroid pesticide, on a critically endangered fish species endemic to Northern California, the delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus). These results demonstrate the effects of a widely used pesticide on a sensitive fish species at concentrations below those that affect model test species. Twenty samples were run on twenty arrays, there were four replicates for each of four permethrin exposure concentrations and a control group.
Project description:The delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) is an endangered pelagic fish species endemic to the Sacramento-San Joaquin estuary, California, and considered an indicator of ecosystem health. The experimental combination of molecular biomarkers with higher level condition indicators may allow for interpretation of responses in a functional context that can be used to predict detrimental outcomes caused by contaminant exposure. Copper is a contaminant of concern in Californian waterways that may affect the development and survival of this endangered species. We have developed and applied a delta smelt microarray in order to screen for probable candidate molecular biomarkers that may be used in monitoring programs. Functional classifications of microarray responses are presented along with quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) assessments measuring effects upon neuromuscular, digestive and immune responses in delta smelt exposed to copper. Differences in sensitivity were measured between juvenile and larval delta smelt (LC¬5096h= 25.2 and 80.4 ?g/L Cu2+ respectively). Swimming velocity declined with higher exposure concentrations in a dose-dependent manner, though were not statistically significant to controls. Genes encoding for aspartoacylase (ASPA), hemopexin, alpha-actin and calcium regulation proteins were significantly affected by exposure and were functionally interpreted with measured swimming responses. Effects on digestion were measured by upregulation of chitinase and downregulation of amylase, whilst downregulation of tumor necrosis factor indicated a probable compromised immune system. We utilized 3 replicates for exposed samples and 3 replicates for controls, both of which were hybridized to a reference pool. Each replicate contained 4 pooled larval delta smelt. The Reference pool consisted of delta smelt samples from this experiment and a number of prior tests. No dye swaps were performed due to limited material. Supplementary file linked below reports candidate differentially expressed cDNAs. Data represented as filtered, normalized, Log-2 Alexa (547/555) ratios.
Project description:The delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) is an endangered pelagic fish species endemic to the Sacramento-San Joaquin estuary, California, and considered an indicator of ecosystem health. The experimental combination of molecular biomarkers with higher level condition indicators may allow for interpretation of responses in a functional context that can be used to predict detrimental outcomes caused by contaminant exposure. Copper is a contaminant of concern in Californian waterways that may affect the development and survival of this endangered species. We have developed and applied a delta smelt microarray in order to screen for probable candidate molecular biomarkers that may be used in monitoring programs. Functional classifications of microarray responses are presented along with quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) assessments measuring effects upon neuromuscular, digestive and immune responses in delta smelt exposed to copper. Differences in sensitivity were measured between juvenile and larval delta smelt (LC¬5096h= 25.2 and 80.4 ?g/L Cu2+ respectively). Swimming velocity declined with higher exposure concentrations in a dose-dependent manner, though were not statistically significant to controls. Genes encoding for aspartoacylase (ASPA), hemopexin, alpha-actin and calcium regulation proteins were significantly affected by exposure and were functionally interpreted with measured swimming responses. Effects on digestion were measured by upregulation of chitinase and downregulation of amylase, whilst downregulation of tumor necrosis factor indicated a probable compromised immune system.
Project description:Linking transcriptional responses to organismal tolerance reveals mechanisms of thermal sensitivity in a mesothermal endangered fish
Project description:The delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) is a pelagic fish species endemic to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Estuary in Northern California, listed as endangered under both the USA Federal and Californian State Endangered Species Acts and acts as an indicator of ecosystem health in its habitat range. Interrogative tools are required to successfully monitor effects of contaminants upon the delta smelt, and to research potential causes of population decline in this species. We used microarray technology to investigate genome-wide effects in 57-day old larvae after a 4-day exposure to ammonia; one of multiple contaminants arising from wastewater treatment plants and agricultural runoff. Genomic assessments were carried out between larvae exposed to 10 mg/L total ammonium; the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC), and controls.
Project description:The delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) is a pelagic fish species endemic to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Estuary in Northern California, listed as endangered under both the USA Federal and Californian State Endangered Species Acts and acts as an indicator of ecosystem health in its habitat range. Interrogative tools are required to successfully monitor effects of contaminants upon the delta smelt, and to research potential causes of population decline in this species. We used microarray technology to investigate genome-wide effects in 47-day old larvae after a 7-day exposure to ambient water samples from the Sacramento River at a monitoring field station (Hood) situated 8 miles downstream of the Sacramento regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. Genomic assessments were carried out on surviving organisms and contrasted to laboratory controls.