title: Gene expression analysis of 4 biomarker candidates in Eisenia fetida exposed to an environmental metallic trace elements gradient: a microcosm study.
abstract: Past activities of 2 smelters (Metaleurop Nord and Nyrstar) led to the accumulation of high amounts of Metal Trace Elements (TEs) in top soils of the Noyelles-Godault/Auby area, Northern France. Earthworms were exposed to polluted soils collected in this area to study and better understand the physiological changes, the mechanisms of acclimation, and detoxification resulting from TE exposure. Previously we have cloned and transcriptionally characterized potential biomarkers from immune cells of the ecotoxicologically important earthworm species Eisenia fetida exposed in vivo to TE-spiked standard soils. In the present study, analysis of expression kinetics of four candidate indicator genes (Cadmium-metallothionein, coactosin like protein, phytochelatin synthase and lysenin) was performed in E. fetida after microcosm exposures to natural soils exhibiting an environmental cadmium (Cd) gradient in a kinetic manner. TE body burdens were also measured. This microcosm study provided insights into: (1) the ability of the 4 tested genes to serve as expression biomarkers, (2) detoxification processes through the expression analysis of selected genes, and (3) influence of land uses on the response of potential biomarkers (gene expression or TE uptake).
authors.affiliation: University Lille Nord de France, F-59000 Lille, France.
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brulle
authors.forename: Sébastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lemière
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Waterlot
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Douay
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vandenbulcke
mesh_terms: D019881:Aminoacyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001822:Body Burden; D002104:Cadmium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005602:France; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008670:Metals; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014118:Toxins, Biological; C004203:cadmium-binding protein; C107040:lysenin; D002104:Cadmium; D008668:Metallothionein; D019881:Aminoacyltransferases; C093784:glutathione gamma-glutamylcysteinyltransferase