title: A gene to organism approach--assessing the impact of environmental pollution in eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) females and larvae.
abstract: A broad biomarker approach was applied to study the effects of marine pollution along the Swedish west coast using the teleost eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) as the sentinel species. Measurements were performed on different biological levels, from the molecular to the organismal, including measurements of messenger RNA (mRNA), proteins, cellular and tissue changes, and reproductive success. Results revealed that eelpout captured in Stenungsund had significantly higher hepatic ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity, high levels of both cytochrome P4501A and diablo homolog mRNA, and high prevalence of dead larvae and nuclear damage in erythrocytes. Eelpout collected in Göteborg harbor displayed extensive macrovesicular steatosis, whereby the majority of hepatocytes were affected throughout the liver, which could indicate an effect on lipid metabolism. Results also indicate that eelpouts collected at polluted sites might have an affected immune system, with lower mRNA expression of genes involved in the innate immune system and a higher number of lymphocytes. Biomarker assessment also was performed on livers dissected from unborn eelpout larvae collected from the ovary of the females. No significant differences were noted, which might indicate that the larvae to some extent are protected from effects of environmental pollutants. In conclusion, usage of the selected set of biological markers, covering responses from gene to organism, has demonstrated site-specific biomarker patterns that provided a broad and comprehensive picture of the impact of environmental stressors.
authors: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: Noomi
authors: N
authors: Asker
authors: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: Bethanie
authors: B
authors: Carney Almroth
authors: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Albertsson
authors: Department of Clinic and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors: Mariateresa
authors: M
authors: Coltellaro
authors: Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, Dorset, United Kingdom.
authors: John Paul
authors: JP
authors: Bignell
authors: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: Niklas
authors: N
authors: Hanson
authors: Department of Clinic and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors: Vittoria
authors: V
authors: Scarcelli
authors: Department of Aquatic Resources, Institute of Coastal Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Väröbacka, Sweden.
authors: Björn
authors: B
authors: Fagerholm
authors: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: Jari
authors: J
authors: Parkkonen
authors: Department of Mathematical Statistics, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: Emma
authors: E
authors: Wijkmark
authors: Department of Clinic and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors: Giada
authors: G
authors: Frenzilli
authors: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: Lars
authors: L
authors: Förlin
authors: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: Joachim
authors: J
authors: Sturve
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D010473:Perciformes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D050050:Protein Carbonylation / Q000187:drug effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1
keywords: Biomarker; Eelpout; Gene expression; Genotoxicity; Histopathology