title: Hepatic coenzyme Q redox balance of fishes as a potential bioindicator of environmental contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
abstract: In this communication, we introduce a novel biomarker of aquatic contamination based on the xenobiotic-induced response of the hepatic coenzyme Q (CoQ) redox balance of fishes to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The method is demonstrated by comparing changes in the liver CoQ redox balance with that measured using the CYP1A-based, 7-ethoxyresofurin-O-deethylase activity assay, on administration of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and β-naphthoflavone (BNF) to Barramundi (Lates calcarifer). Both assays showed comparable dose-dependent effects in fish treated with BaP or BNF. Perturbation in the constitutive hepatic CoQ redox balance of fishes may thus provide a simple biomarker of aquatic PAH contamination.
authors.affiliation: School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.
authors.forename: Ghitarina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hasbi
authors.forename: Rocky
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Nys
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Whalan
authors.forename: Walter C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Dunlap
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010473:Perciformes / Q000378:metabolism*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000633:toxicity*; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014451:Ubiquinone; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1