Dithiocarbamates are teratogenic to developing zebrafish through inhibition of lysyl oxidase activity.
Dithiocarbamates (DTCs) are a class of compounds that are extensively used in agriculture as pesticides. As such, humans and wildlife are undoubtedly exposed to these chemicals. Although DTCs are thought to be relatively safe due to their short half lives, it is well established that they are teratogenic to vertebrates, especially to fish. In zebrafish, these teratogenic effects are characterized by distorted notochord development and shortened anterior to posterior axis. DTCs are known copper (Cu) chelators but this does not fully explain the observed teratogenic effects. We show here that DTCs cause malformations in zebrafish that highly resemble teratogenic effects observed by direct inhibition of a group of cuproenzymes termed lysyl oxidases (LOX). Additionally, we demonstrate that partial knockdown of three LOX genes, lox, loxl1 and loxl5b, sensitizes the developing embryo to DTC exposure. Finally, we show that DTCs directly inhibit zebrafish LOX activity in an ex vivo amine oxidase assay. Taken together, these results provide the first evidence that DTC induced teratogenic effects are, at least in part, caused by direct inhibition of LOX activity.
van Boxtel
Antonius L
AL
Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. thijs.van.boxtel@ivm.vu.nl
Kamstra
Jorke H
JH
Fluitsma
Donna M
DM
Legler
Juliette
J
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology*; D000818:Animals; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques / Q000379:methods; D008249:Protein-Lysine 6-Oxidase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013723:Teratogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D013859:Thiocarbamates / Q000633:toxicity*; D015027:Zebrafish; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D013723:Teratogens; D013859:Thiocarbamates; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; D008249:Protein-Lysine 6-Oxidase