title: Transcriptional expression levels and biochemical markers of oxidative stress in the earthworm Eisenia andrei after exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D).
abstract: This study investigated the stress response of earthworms (Eisenia andrei) to exposure to a commonly used herbicide, 2,4 dichloro-phenoxy-acetic acid (2,4-D). We evaluated both stress biomarkers and the transcriptional expression levels and activity of three enzymes involved in oxidative stress responses. Earthworms were exposed to three sublethal concentration of 2,4-D (3.5, 7, and 14 mg kg(-1)) for 7 and 14 days. Exposure to 7 and 14 mg kg(-1) 2,4-D significantly reduced both worm body weight and lysosomal membrane stability (LMS); the latter is a sensitive stress biomarker in coelomocytes. Exposure to 2,4-D caused a pronounced increase in the accumulation of malonedialdehyde (MDA), a marker of oxidative stress, and significantly increased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD),and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Compared to expression in controls, the expression levels of the sod, cat, and gst genes increased in worms exposed to all three 2,4-D doses for 7 days. However, after 14 days of exposure, only the expression of the gst gene remained higher than controls. These data provide new insights into the cytotoxicity of 2,4-D in the earthworm E. andrei and should be carefully considered in view of the biological effects of herbicides in soils organisms.
authors.affiliation: Regional Research Centre in Horticulture and Organic Agriculture, Chott-Mariem, 4042 Sousse, Tunisia; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, ISA Chott-Mariem, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Sabrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hattab
authors.affiliation: Regional Research Centre in Horticulture and Organic Agriculture, Chott-Mariem, 4042 Sousse, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Iteb
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Boughattas
authors.affiliation: Regional Research Centre in Horticulture and Organic Agriculture, Chott-Mariem, 4042 Sousse, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Hamadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boussetta
authors.affiliation: Department of Sciences and Technological Innovation (DiSIT), University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", V.le T. Michel 11, 15121 Alessandria, Italy.
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Viarengo
authors.affiliation: Regional Research Centre in Horticulture and Organic Agriculture, Chott-Mariem, 4042 Sousse, Tunisia; Department of Sciences and Technological Innovation (DiSIT), University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", V.le T. Michel 11, 15121 Alessandria, Italy. Electronic address: m_banni@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Banni
authors.affiliation: Department of Sciences and Technological Innovation (DiSIT), University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", V.le T. Michel 11, 15121 Alessandria, Italy.
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sforzini
mesh_terms: D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D006540:Herbicides / Q000633:toxicity*; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000187:drug effects; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000187:drug effects; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006540:Herbicides; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase
keywords: 2,4-D; Cytotoxicity; Eisenia andrei; Gene expression; Oxidative stress