Transcriptional deregulation of genetic biomarkers in Chironomus riparius larvae exposed to ecologically relevant concentrations of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP).
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant used worldwide as a plasticizer and solvent in many formulations. Based on available toxicological data, it has been classified as toxic for reproduction and as an endocrine disruptor. Despite this, ecotoxicological studies in aquatic wildlife organisms are still scarce. In the present work, the toxic molecular alterations caused by DEHP in aquatic larvae of the midge Chironomus riparius have been studied, by analyzing the transcriptional activity of genes related to some vital cellular pathways, such as the ribosomal machinery (rpL4, rpL13), the cell stress response (hsc70, hsp70, hsp40, hsp27), the ecdysone hormone pathway (EcR), the energy metabolism (GAPDH), and detoxication processes (CYP4G). Environmentally relevant concentrations (10-3 to 105 μg/L) and exposure conditions (24 to 96 h) have been tested, as well as the toxic effects after DEHP withdrawal. Although the compound caused no mortality, significant changes were detected in almost all the studied biomarkers: e.g. strong repression of hsp70; general inhibition of EcR; GAPDH activity loss in long exposures; among others. Our data show a general transcriptional downregulation that could be associated with an adaptive response to cell damage. Besides, the activity of the compound as an ecdysone antagonist and its delayed effects over almost all the biomarkers analyzed are described as novel toxic targets in insects.
Grupo de Biología y Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, UNED, Paseo de la Senda del Rey 9, Madrid, Spain.
Óscar
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1410-368X
Ó
Herrero
Grupo de Biología y Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, UNED, Paseo de la Senda del Rey 9, Madrid, Spain.
Gloria
G
Morcillo
Grupo de Biología y Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, UNED, Paseo de la Senda del Rey 9, Madrid, Spain.
Rosario
R
Planelló
D000818:Animals; D002683:Chironomidae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000235:genetics; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D018869:Heat-Shock Response / Q000235:genetics; D008658:Inactivation, Metabolic / Q000235:genetics; D007814:Larva; D010968:Plasticizers / Q000494:pharmacology; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D059467:Transcriptome
D005819:Genetic Markers; D010968:Plasticizers; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; C055469:ecdysone receptor; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate