Project description:Naphthenic acids (Nas) are carboxylic acids present in crude oil and classfied as emergent pollutants. The mechanisms underlaying the toxicity of such mixtures are unknown. Changes in gene expression are expected to reflect te teratogenenic effects of the exposure to NAs. The objective of these experiments is to determine the changes in the gene expression profile of Silurana (Xenopus) tropicalis embryos due to the exposition to two NA mixtures.
Project description:Dyes used in fabric and leather industry are being released and accumulated into Canadian ecosystems. Recent studies have demonstrated that dyes made of azo compounds significantly increase toxicity in biota, which is explained by their toxic metabolites (e.g., aromatic amines). The metabolites of azo compounds interact with hydrophobic surfaces of cell membranes causing expansion of the membrane which impede normal cellular functions. It has been suggested that this process leads to cell death due to improper ion balance. Currently, it is estimated that between 10 and 15% of azo dyes are released in the environment as effluent. The aim of this study was to evaluate toxicity and gene networks altered by azo compounds in amphibians using ecotoxicogenomic approaches. Larvae of the frog Silurana tropicalis (Western clawed frog) were exposed to sediment contaminated to 887 ppm Disperse Yellow 7 (DY7). Larvae were exposed from Nieuwkoop-Faber developmental stage 12 to 46. Data suggest that the azo dye DY7 induced cellular stress and interfered with androgen biosynthesis in early tadpole development. At exposure completion, RNA was isolated from whole larvae and quality was ascertained using bioanalyzer analysis. A custom Agilent 4 X 44 K microarray for S. tropicalis was used to characterize gene regulatory networks underlying toxicity. This study presents the transcriptional regulatory pathways affected by DY7 in S. tropicalis early development. Embryos were exposed to the DY7 dye during development. There were 4 control groups exposed and 4 treatment groups exposed.
Project description:Dyes used in fabric and leather industry are being released and accumulated into Canadian ecosystems. Recent studies have demonstrated that dyes made of azo compounds significantly increase toxicity in biota, which is explained by their toxic metabolites (e.g., aromatic amines). The metabolites of azo compounds interact with hydrophobic surfaces of cell membranes causing expansion of the membrane which impede normal cellular functions. It has been suggested that this process leads to cell death due to improper ion balance. Currently, it is estimated that between 10 and 15% of azo dyes are released in the environment as effluent. The aim of this study was to evaluate toxicity and gene networks altered by azo compounds in amphibians using ecotoxicogenomic approaches. Larvae of the frog Silurana tropicalis (Western clawed frog) were exposed to sediment contaminated to 887 ppm Disperse Yellow 7 (DY7). Larvae were exposed from Nieuwkoop-Faber developmental stage 12 to 46. Data suggest that the azo dye DY7 induced cellular stress and interfered with androgen biosynthesis in early tadpole development. At exposure completion, RNA was isolated from whole larvae and quality was ascertained using bioanalyzer analysis. A custom Agilent 4 X 44 K microarray for S. tropicalis was used to characterize gene regulatory networks underlying toxicity. This study presents the transcriptional regulatory pathways affected by DY7 in S. tropicalis early development.
Project description:Arsenic is a carcinogenic metalloid element found naturally in the environment; however human activities such as mining and pesticide use have led to increased concentrations in some areas. Silurana tropicalis eggs were exposed to sublethal concentrations of sodium arsenate (0, 0.5 and 1 ppm) for 3 days during embryogenesis. Four pooled of 10 larvae were sampled per treatment and analyzed for gene expression changes using a microarray approach. Silurana tropicalis eggs were exposed to sublethal concentrations of sodium arsenate (0, 0.5 and 1 ppm) for 3 days during embryogenesis. There were 5 controls, 5 low dose and 6 high dose microarrays perfomed.