title: Effects of benzo(a)pyrene on the skeletal development of Sebastiscus marmoratus embryos and the molecular mechanism involved.
abstract: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental contaminants, which have been known to be carcinogenic and teratogenic. However, the skeletal development toxicity of PAHs and the mechanism involved remain unclear. In fishes, the neurocranial and craniofacial skeleton develop as cartilage. The signaling molecules of hedgehog (Hh) family play crucial roles in regulating skeletal development. In the present study, rockfish (Sebastiscus marmoratus) embryos were exposed to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) for 7 days at environmental levels (0.05, 0.5 and 5nmol/L) which resulted in craniofacial skeleton deformities. BaP exposure reduced the cell proliferation activity in the craniofacial skeleton as detected by quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization. The expression of Sonic hedgehog (Shh), rather than Indian hedgehog (Ihh), was down-regulated in the craniofacial skeleton in the 0.5 and 5nmol/L groups. Consistent with the Shh results, the expression of Ptch1 and Gli2 was decreased by BaP exposure and BMP4 was presented on changes in the 0.5 and 5nmol/L groups. These results suggested that BaP could impair the expression and function of Shh signaling pathway, perturbing the proliferation of chondrocytes and so disturbing craniofacial skeletal development.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Subtropical Wetland Ecosystem Research, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
authors.forename: Chengyong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Zhenghong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zuo
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Ruixia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Donglei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yixin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chonggang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 / Q000378:metabolism; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology*; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000196:embryology; D015536:Down-Regulation; D029941:Fish Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005399:Fishes / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D000072079:Patched Receptors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D029941:Fish Proteins; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D000072079:Patched Receptors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene