title: Impact of bisphenol A (BPA) on early embryo development in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis: Effects on gene transcription.
abstract: Bisphenol A (BPA), a monomer used in plastic manufacturing, is weakly estrogenic and a potential endocrine disruptor in mammals. Although it degrades quickly, it is pseudo-persistent in the environment because of continual inputs, with reported concentrations in aquatic environments between 0.0005 and 12 μg/L. BPA represents a potential concern for aquatic ecosystems, as shown by its reproductive and developmental effects in aquatic vertebrates. In invertebrates, endocrine-related effects of BPA were observed in different species and experimental conditions, with often conflicting results, indicating that the sensitivity to this compound can vary considerably among related taxa. In the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis BPA was recently shown to affect early development at environmental concentrations. In this work, the possible effects of BPA on mussel embryos were investigated at the molecular level by evaluating transcription of 13 genes, selected on the basis of their biological functions in adult mussels. Gene expression was first evaluated in trocophorae and D-veligers (24 and 48 h post fertilization) grown in physiological conditions, in comparison with unfertilized eggs. Basal expressions showed a general up-regulation during development, with distinct transcript levels in trocophorae and D-veligers. Exposure of fertilized eggs to BPA (10 μg/L) induced a general upregulation at 24 h pf, followed by down regulation at 48 h pf. Mytilus Estrogen Receptors, serotonin receptor and genes involved in biomineralization (Carbonic Anydrase and Extrapallial Protein) were the most affected by BPA exposure. At 48 h pf, changes in gene expression were associated with irregularities in shell formation, as shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), indicating that the formation of the first shelled embryo, a key step in mussel development, represents a sensitive target for BPA. Similar results were obtained with the natural estrogen 17β-estradiol. The results demonstrate that BPA and E2can affect Mytilus early development through dysregulation of gene transcription.
authors: Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, 16132, Genova, Italy.
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Balbi
authors: Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Campus of Ravenna, via S. Alberto 163, 48123 Ravenna, Italy.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Franzellitti
authors: Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, 16132, Genova, Italy.
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Fabbri
authors: Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, 16132, Genova, Italy.
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Montagna
authors: Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Campus of Ravenna, via S. Alberto 163, 48123 Ravenna, Italy. Electronic address: elena.fabbri@unibo.it.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Fabbri
authors: Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, 16132, Genova, Italy.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Canesi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000633:toxicity*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D049878:Mytilus / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010636:Phenols / Q000633:toxicity*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004958:Estradiol; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D010636:Phenols; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D014873:Water Pollutants; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
keywords: Bisphenol; Endocrine disruptors; Gene transcription; Larvae; Marine mussel; Shell formation