Induction of hepatic estrogen-responsive gene transcription by permethrin enantiomers in male adult zebrafish.
Despite recent studies on enantioselectivity in acute aquatic toxicity and biodegradation of some pyrethroid pesticides, including permethrin (PM), enantiomer-specific estrogenic activity has been the subject of limited research. In this study, real-time quantitative RT-PCR was adopted to investigate induction of hepatic expression of mRNA of selected genes in male adult zebrafish after short-term exposure to PM enantiomers. The PM enantiomers were completely separated by a chiral HPLC column. The in vivo study found that a 2-day exposure to 100 ng/l PM racemate and its enantiomers was sufficient to stimulate transcription of two vitellogenin (vtg) genes, while 250 ng/l exposure significantly induced gene transcription in a pattern and content similar to that of the control (50 ng/l 17beta-estradiol (E2)). Significant differences were detected between the enantiomers in induction of hepatic gene transcription. At exposure level of 500 ng/l, the response to the (-)-trans enantiomer was 2.6 and 1.8 times greater than the (+)-trans enantiomer based on zebrafish vtg1 and vtg2 mRNA induction (p<0.05), respectively. Of the four enantiomers, the (-)-trans enantiomer showed the greatest estrogenic activity, with a relative activity 4-fold higher than the 50 ng/l E2 group. The results strongly suggested the occurrence of significant enantioselectivity in estrogenic activity of PM enantiomers. It would appear from our results and previous studies that using chiral pesticide as a single compound would increase the environmental risk of chronic toxicity, such as endocrine disruption, to humans and wildlife.
Jin
Yuanxiang
Y
College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, No. 18, Chaowang Road, Hangzhou 310032, China.
Wang
Wanyuan
W
Xu
Chao
C
Fu
Zhengwei
Z
Liu
Weiping
W
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D026023:Permethrin / Q000633:toxicity*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000502:physiology*; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D015415:Biomarkers; D004967:Estrogens; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; D026023:Permethrin