title: Using cytochrome P4501A1 expression in liver and blubber to understand effects of persistent organic pollutant exposure in stranded Pacific Island cetaceans.
abstract: Elevated levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been reported in tropical Pacific Island cetaceans and their environment. In addition, recent health concerns in cetacean populations have warranted investigation into potential physiological effects from POP exposure for this region. Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) is a candidate for examining such effects. This well-studied biomarker of exposure and effect was examined in stranded cetacean liver using immunoblot (n = 39, 16 species) and blubber using immunohistochemistry (n = 23, 10 species). Paired tissue samples allowed for CYP1A1 comparisons not only between species but also within each individual animal to examine differences between tissue types. Liver CYP1A1 expression correlated positively and significantly with blubber concentrations of all POP categories (n = 39, p < 0.050) except octachlorostyrene and pentachlorobenzene (p > 0.100). Among Stenella species, liver CYP1A1 tissue expression was correlated negatively with the sum of all blubber layer endothelial cell CYP1A1 expression (n = 14, p = 0.049). Overall, elevated expression of liver CYP1A1 confirms its use as a biomarker of POP exposure to cetaceans stranded in the tropical Pacific basin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Sciences, Hawaii Pacific University, Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA.|Hollings Marine Laboratory, Chemical Sciences Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Melannie J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bachman
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Sciences, Hawaii Pacific University, Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA.
authors.forename: Kerry M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Foltz
authors.affiliation: Hollings Marine Laboratory, Chemical Sciences Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Sciences, Hawaii Pacific University, Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA.
authors.forename: Kristi L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: West
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Sciences, Hawaii Pacific University, Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA.
authors.forename: Brenda A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Jensen
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002591:Cetacea / Q000378:metabolism*; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D010139:Pacific Islands; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D009930:Organic Chemicals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1
keywords: Biomarker; Cetaceans; Cytochrome P450; Hawaii; Persistent organic pollutants