title: New candidate proteins for benzo(a)pyrene-induced spatial learning and memory deficits.
abstract: Spatial learning and memory (LM) is a property of central importance in the nervous system, yet many of the molecular mechanisms for benzo(a)pyrene[B(a)P]-induced LM deficits remain enshrouded in mystery. In this study, influence of exposure to B(a)P on LM deficits in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats was evaluated by Morris water maze. Then morphological changes in the ultramicrostructure of hippocampal neurons were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, to better understand the molecular changes that occur in B(a)P induced LM deficits, antibody-based protein microarrays was used to analyze protein expression changes in rats submitted to sub-chronic oral gavage of B(a)P (2 mg/kg for 90 days). Results suggested that rats in the B(a)P-treated groups have significantly impaired Morris water maze performance when compared to controls. Meanwhile, the B(a)P-induced neuronal damage was also found in the hippocampus under transmission electron microscopy. Our results demonstrate that LM deficits associated protein expression signatures could be identified from tissue proteomes, as well as potential biomarkers such as retinoic acid receptor b (RARb), synaptotagmin iosfomrs 1 (Syt1) and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), previously not found. This study, therefore, identifies, for the first time, multiple novel proteins that are dysregulated by B(a)P, which both enhance our understanding of B(a)P induced LM deficits and represent targets of novel therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chengzhi
authors.forename: Tang
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shuqun
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xuejun
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Youbin
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yinyin
authors.forename: Tang
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Tu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baijie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000633:toxicity*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D009479:Neuropeptides; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene