Toxic effects in juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicas (Selenka) exposure to benzo[a]pyrene.
To understand the physiological response of sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicas, were exposed to different concentration of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), and the growth, survival, antioxidant enzyme (SOD and T-AOC) activities were tested. Meanwhile, the quantitative real-time PCR technology was utilized to quantize the expression of immune related genes (i.e. innate immune genes, HSP genes and anti-oxidative genes). In our result, the SOD activity and T-AOC activity were induced at lower level of B[a]P (0.03 μg/L), however, a reduction of SOD activity and T-AOC activity were observed at relatively high B[a]P concentration (3 and 9 μg/L) for A. japonicas. Furthermore, the distinct expression patterns of selected immune-related genes were detected among different concentrations, and a general trend of down-regulation was observed at higher concentration. Especially, lysozyme almost showed the highest down-regulation at all concentrations, followed by NOS. Collectively, the growth, survival and expression signatures of immune related genes reflected an overall suppression of innate immunity in sea cucumber following exposure. Future functional studies should be carried out to characterize the detailed roles of immune genes and their related responses under B[a]P toxicity. Additionally, better understanding of the molecular indicators governing the healthy status under environmental toxicity would facilitate a healthy and sustainable culture program.
Marine Science and Engineering College, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
Chao
C
Li
Marine Science and Engineering College, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
Shun
S
Zhou
Marine Science and Engineering College, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China. Electronic address: yichaor@126.com.
Yichao
Y
Ren
Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, College of Ocean and Bioengineering, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng 224051, China.
Senhao
S
Jiang
Marine Science and Engineering College, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
Bin
B
Xia
Marine Science and Engineering College, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
Xiaoyu
X
Dong
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D047528:Stichopus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D000975:Antioxidants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant capacity; Apostichopus japonicas; Innate immunity; PAHs; benzo[a]pyrene