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Viel T, Cocca M, Esposito R, Amato A, Russo T, Di Cosmo A, Polese G, Manfra L, Libralato G, Zupo V, Costantini M. Effect of biodegradable polymers upon grazing activity of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lmk) revealed by morphological, histological and molecular analyses. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 929:172586. [PMID: 38657802 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
In the last years biodegradable polymers (BPs) were largely used as real opportunity to solve plastic pollution. Otherwise, their wide use in commercial products, such as packaging sector, is causing a new pollution alarm, mainly because few data reported about their behaviour in the environment and toxicity on marine organisms. Our previous results showed that embryos of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lmk) exposed to poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) showed delay of their development and morphological malformations, also affecting at the molecular levels the expression of several genes involved in different functional responses. In the present work for the first time, we tested the effects of five microplastics (MPs) obtained from BPs such as PBS, poly(butylene succinate), PBSA, poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate), PCL, PHB and PLA, upon grazing activity of the sea urchin revealed by: i. histological analysis seeing at the gonadic tissues; ii. morphological analysis of the deriving embryos; iii. molecular analyses on these embryos to detect variations of the gene expression of eighty-seven genes involved in stress response, detoxification, skeletogenesis, differentiation and development. All these results will help in understanding how MP accumulated inside various organs in the adult sea urchins, and more in general in marine invertebrates, could represent risks for the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Viel
- Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, Via Campi Flegri, 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Napoli, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Mariacristina Cocca
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, Via Campi Flegri, 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Roberta Esposito
- Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Amalia Amato
- Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Tania Russo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Anna Di Cosmo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Gianluca Polese
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Loredana Manfra
- Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Libralato
- Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Valerio Zupo
- Stazione Zoologica, Sustainable Biotechnology Department. Ischia Marine Centre, Via Buonocore, Ischia, NA, Italy
| | - Maria Costantini
- Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy.
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Savoca D, Pace A, Arizza V, Arculeo M, Melfi R. Controlled uptake of PFOA in adult specimens of Paracentrotus lividus and evaluation of gene expression in their gonads and embryos. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:26094-26106. [PMID: 36350439 PMCID: PMC9995410 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23940-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has been largely used in the manufacturing industry but a few years ago it turned out to be a dangerous pollutant which is now of concern for terrestrial and aquatic environments. Here, we investigated the bioaccumulation of PFOA in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus after exposure to different concentrations of the pollutant for 28 days. We observed rapid uptake of PFOA in the coelomic fluid collected weekly during the exposure period and high bioaccumulation in gonads at the end of the experiment. Interestingly, animals were also able to fast depurate when relocated to a clean environment. In addition, to assess the effect of PFOA on sea urchins' physiological pathways, we analysed the expression profile of some marker genes both in the gonads and in the embryos obtained from parents exposed to PFOA. Our results suggest that PFOA is a persistent, bioaccumulative compound that adversely affects the health of the exposed organisms and their offspring by causing significant changes in the expression of some key target genes and the occurrence of developmental anomalies in the embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Savoca
- Dipartimento Di Scienze E Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche E Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università Degli Studi Di Palermo, 90100, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Andrea Pace
- Dipartimento Di Scienze E Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche E Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università Degli Studi Di Palermo, 90100, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arizza
- Dipartimento Di Scienze E Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche E Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università Degli Studi Di Palermo, 90100, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Arculeo
- Dipartimento Di Scienze E Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche E Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università Degli Studi Di Palermo, 90100, Palermo, Italy
| | - Raffaella Melfi
- Dipartimento Di Scienze E Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche E Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università Degli Studi Di Palermo, 90100, Palermo, Italy
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Di Natale MV, Carroccio SC, Dattilo S, Cocca M, Nicosia A, Torri M, Bennici CD, Musco M, Masullo T, Russo S, Mazzola A, Cuttitta A. Polymer aging affects the bioavailability of microplastics-associated contaminants in sea urchin embryos. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 309:136720. [PMID: 36206916 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) in the marine environment undergo complex weathering factors that can affect their ability to interact with different coexisting environmental contaminants (termed here co-contaminants). In this study, the influence of artificially aging using UV on the sorption of a complex mixture of co-contaminants onto MPs was investigated in order to provide meaningful hypotheses on their individual and combined toxicities on sea urchin embryos. A mixture of artificially aged MPs (PS particles and PA microfibers) combined with 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), or Cd or Cu, both alone and in a mix, were used to expose embryos of Paracentrotus lividus. The effects of polymer aging on co-contaminants bioavailability were assessed by measuring changes in the transcriptional profile of genes involved in oxidative-stress response and skeletogenic and endo-mesodermal specification. Changes in the sorption ability of MPs to co-contaminants in the aqueous phase highlighted that aging did not affect the sorption of BDE-47 and Cd on MPs, although a certain influence on Cu sorption was found. Despite no morphological effects in embryos at the gastrula stage after MPs/contaminants combinatorial exposure emerged, the greatest influence of the aging process was mainly found for combined exposures which included BDE-47. Finally, the exposure to multiple contaminants generated transcriptional profiles poorly related to those activated by single contaminant, at times suggesting a mixture-dependent different aging influence. These results open new scenarios on the controversial role of vector of co-contaminants for MPs, especially when complex and different types of mixtures were considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Vita Di Natale
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean (ISMed-CNR), Detached Unit of Palermo, Via Filippo Parlatore 95, 90145, Palermo, Italy; University of Palermo, Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTEM), Via Archirafi 22, 90123, Palermo (PA), Italy.
| | | | | | - Mariacristina Cocca
- Institute of Polymers, Composites, and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli (NA), Italy.
| | - Aldo Nicosia
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa, 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Marco Torri
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean (ISMed-CNR), Detached Unit of Palermo, Via Filippo Parlatore 95, 90145, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Carmelo Daniele Bennici
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean (ISMed-CNR), Detached Unit of Palermo, Via Filippo Parlatore 95, 90145, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Marianna Musco
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean (ISMed-CNR), Detached Unit of Palermo, Via Filippo Parlatore 95, 90145, Palermo, Italy; LUMSA University - Via Filippo Parlatore n. 65, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Tiziana Masullo
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean (ISMed-CNR), Detached Unit of Palermo, Via Filippo Parlatore 95, 90145, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Stefania Russo
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean (ISMed-CNR), Detached Unit of Palermo, Via Filippo Parlatore 95, 90145, Palermo, Italy; University of Palermo, Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTEM), Via Archirafi 22, 90123, Palermo (PA), Italy.
| | - Antonio Mazzola
- University of Palermo, Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTEM), Via Archirafi 22, 90123, Palermo (PA), Italy.
| | - Angela Cuttitta
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean (ISMed-CNR), Detached Unit of Palermo, Via Filippo Parlatore 95, 90145, Palermo, Italy; LUMSA University - Via Filippo Parlatore n. 65, Palermo, Italy.
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Gene Expression Detects the Factors Influencing the Reproductive Success and the Survival Rates of Paracentrotus lividus Offspring. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232112790. [DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The increase in the demand for Paracentrotus lividus roe, a food delicacy, causes increased pressure on its wild stocks. In this scenario, aquaculture facilities will mitigate the effects of anthropogenic pressures on the wild stocks of P. lividus. Consequently, experimental studies should be conducted to enhance techniques to improve efficient aquaculture practices for these animals. Here, we for the first time performed molecular investigations on cultured sea urchins. We aimed at understanding if maternal influences may significantly impact the life of future offspring, and how the culture conditions may impact the development and growth of cultured specimens. Our findings demonstrate that the outcomes of in vitro fertilization of P. lividus are influenced by maternal influences, but these effects are largely determined by culture conditions. In fact, twenty-three genes involved in the response to stress and skeletogenesis, whose expressions were measured by Real Time qPCR, were differently expressed in sea urchins cultured in two experimental conditions, and the results were largely modified in offspring deriving from two groups of females. The findings herein reported will be critical to develop protocols for the larval culture of the most common sea urchin, both for research and industrial production purposes for mass production.
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Chiarelli R, Scudiero R, Memoli V, Roccheri MC, Martino C. Toxicity of Vanadium during Development of Sea Urchin Embryos: Bioaccumulation, Calcium Depletion, ERK Modulation and Cell-Selective Apoptosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116239. [PMID: 35682917 PMCID: PMC9181554 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Vanadium toxicology is a topic of considerable importance as this metal is widely used in industrial and biomedical fields. However, it represents a potential emerging environmental pollutant because wastewater treatment plants do not adequately remove metal compounds that are subsequently released into the environment. Vanadium applications are limited due to its toxicity, so it is urgent to define this aspect. This metal is associated with sea urchin embryo toxicity as it perturbs embryogenesis and skeletogenesis, triggering several stress responses. Here we investigated its bioaccumulation and the correlation with cellular and molecular developmental pathways. We used cytotoxic concentrations of 1 mM and 500 μM to perform quantitative analyses, showing that vanadium accumulation interferes with calcium uptake during sea urchin development and provokes a disruption in the biomineralization process. At the end of the whole treatment, the accumulation of vanadium was about 14 and 8 μg for embryos treated respectively with 1 mM and 500 μM, showing a dose-dependent response. Then, we monitored the cell signaling perturbation, analyzing key molecular markers of cell survival/cell death mechanisms and the DNA fragmentation associated with apoptosis. This paper clarifies vanadium’s trend to accumulate directly into embryonic cells, interfering with calcium uptake. In addition, our results indicate that vanadium can modulate the ERK pathway and activate a cell-selective apoptosis. These results endorse the sea urchin embryo as an adequate experimental model to study metal-related cellular/molecular responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Chiarelli
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Building 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (M.C.R.); (C.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Rosaria Scudiero
- Department of Biology, University Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (R.S.); (V.M.)
| | - Valeria Memoli
- Department of Biology, University Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (R.S.); (V.M.)
| | - Maria Carmela Roccheri
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Building 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (M.C.R.); (C.M.)
| | - Chiara Martino
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Building 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (M.C.R.); (C.M.)
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6
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Albarano L, Zupo V, Guida M, Libralato G, Caramiello D, Ruocco N, Costantini M. PAHs and PCBs Affect Functionally Intercorrelated Genes in the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus Embryos. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212498. [PMID: 34830379 PMCID: PMC8619768 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) represent the most common pollutants in the marine sediments. Previous investigations demonstrated short-term sublethal effects of sediments polluted with both contaminants on the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus after 2 months of exposure in mesocosms. In particular, morphological malformations observed in P. lividus embryos deriving from adults exposed to PAHs and PCBs were explained at molecular levels by de novo transcriptome assembly and real-time qPCR, leading to the identification of several differentially expressed genes involved in key physiological processes. Here, we extensively explored the genes involved in the response of the sea urchin P. lividus to PAHs and PCBs. Firstly, 25 new genes were identified and interactomic analysis revealed that they were functionally connected among them and to several genes previously defined as molecular targets of response to the two pollutants under analysis. The expression levels of these 25 genes were followed by Real Time qPCR, showing that almost all genes analyzed were affected by PAHs and PCBs. These findings represent an important further step in defining the impacts of slight concentrations of such contaminants on sea urchins and, more in general, on marine biota, increasing our knowledge of molecular targets involved in responses to environmental stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Albarano
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Marine Biotechnology, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy; (L.A.); (G.L.); (N.R.)
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy;
| | - Valerio Zupo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Marine Biotechnology, Villa Dohrn, Punta San Pietro, 80077 Naples, Italy;
| | - Marco Guida
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy;
- Centro Servizi Metrologici e Tecnologici Avanzati (CeSMA), Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Libralato
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Marine Biotechnology, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy; (L.A.); (G.L.); (N.R.)
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy;
| | - Davide Caramiello
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources, Marine Organisms Core Facility, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy;
| | - Nadia Ruocco
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Marine Biotechnology, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy; (L.A.); (G.L.); (N.R.)
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Marine Biotechnology, C. da Torre Spaccata, 87071 Amendolara, Italy
| | - Maria Costantini
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Marine Biotechnology, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy; (L.A.); (G.L.); (N.R.)
- Correspondence:
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Chiarelli R, Martino C, Roccheri MC, Cancemi P. Toxic effects induced by vanadium on sea urchin embryos. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 274:129843. [PMID: 33561719 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Vanadium, a naturally occurring element widely distributed in soil, water and air, has received considerable interest because its compounds are often used in different applications, from industry to medicine. While the possible medical use of vanadium compounds is promising, its potential harmful effects on living organisms are still unclear. Here, for the first time, we provide a toxicological profile induced by vanadium on Paracentrotus lividus sea urchin embryos, reporting an integrated and comparative analysis of the detected effects reflecting vanadium-toxicity. At the morphological level we found a dose-dependent induction of altered phenotypes and of skeletal malformations. At the molecular levels, vanadium-exposed embryos showed the activation of the cellular stress response, in particular, autophagy and a high degree of cell-selective apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The stress response mediated by heat shock proteins seems to counteract the damage induced by low and intermediate concentrations of vanadium while the high cytotoxic concentrations induce more marked cell death mechanisms. Our findings, reporting different mechanisms of toxicity induced by vanadium, contribute to increase the knowledge on the possible threat of vanadium for marine organisms and for both environmental and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Chiarelli
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale Delle Scienze Building 16, Palermo, 90128, Italy.
| | - Chiara Martino
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale Delle Scienze Building 16, Palermo, 90128, Italy.
| | - Maria Carmela Roccheri
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale Delle Scienze Building 16, Palermo, 90128, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Cancemi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale Delle Scienze Building 16, Palermo, 90128, Italy.
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8
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Glaviano F, Ruocco N, Somma E, De Rosa G, Campani V, Ametrano P, Caramiello D, Costantini M, Zupo V. Two Benthic Diatoms, Nanofrustulum shiloi and Striatella unipunctata, Encapsulated in Alginate Beads, Influence the Reproductive Efficiency of Paracentrotus lividus by Modulating the Gene Expression. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19040230. [PMID: 33920652 PMCID: PMC8074093 DOI: 10.3390/md19040230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Physiological effects of algal metabolites is a key step for the isolation of interesting bioactive compounds. Invertebrate grazers may be fed on live diatoms or dried, pelletized, and added to compound feeds. Any method may reveal some shortcomings, due to the leaking of wound-activated compounds in the water prior to ingestion. For this reason, encapsulation may represent an important step of bioassay-guided fractionation, because it may assure timely preservation of the active compounds. Here we test the effects of the inclusion in alginate (biocompatible and non-toxic delivery system) matrices to produce beads containing two benthic diatoms for sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus feeding. In particular, we compared the effects of a diatom whose influence on P. lividus was known (Nanofrustulum shiloi) and those of a diatom suspected to be harmful to marine invertebrates, because it is often present in blooms (Striatella unipunctata). Dried N. shiloi and S. unipunctata were offered for one month after encapsulation in alginate hydrogel beads and the larvae produced by sea urchins were checked for viability and malformations. The results indicated that N. shiloi, already known for its toxigenic effects on sea urchin larvae, fully conserved its activity after inclusion in alginate beads. On the whole, benthic diatoms affected the embryogenesis of P. lividus, altering the expression of several genes involved in stress response, development, skeletogenesis and detoxification processes. Interactomic analysis suggested that both diatoms activated a similar stress response pathway, through the up-regulation of hsp60, hsp70, NF-κB, 14-3-3 ε and MDR1 genes. This research also demonstrates that the inclusion in alginate beads may represent a feasible technique to isolate diatom-derived bioactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Glaviano
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (F.G.); (N.R.); (E.S.); (P.A.)
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Nadia Ruocco
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (F.G.); (N.R.); (E.S.); (P.A.)
| | - Emanuele Somma
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (F.G.); (N.R.); (E.S.); (P.A.)
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Rosa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.D.R.); (V.C.)
| | - Virginia Campani
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.D.R.); (V.C.)
| | - Pasquale Ametrano
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (F.G.); (N.R.); (E.S.); (P.A.)
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Davide Caramiello
- Department of Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources, Marine Organisms Core Facility, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Maria Costantini
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (F.G.); (N.R.); (E.S.); (P.A.)
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (V.Z.); Tel.: +39-081-583-3315 (M.C.); Fax: +39-081-764-1355 (M.C.)
| | - Valerio Zupo
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (F.G.); (N.R.); (E.S.); (P.A.)
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (V.Z.); Tel.: +39-081-583-3315 (M.C.); Fax: +39-081-764-1355 (M.C.)
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9
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Masullo T, Biondo G, Natale MD, Tagliavia M, Bennici CD, Musco M, Ragusa MA, Costa S, Cuttitta A, Nicosia A. Gene Expression Changes after Parental Exposure to Metals in the Sea Urchin Affect Timing of Genetic Programme of Embryo Development. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10020103. [PMID: 33535713 PMCID: PMC7912929 DOI: 10.3390/biology10020103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
It is widely accepted that phenotypic traits can be modulated at the epigenetic level so that some conditions can affect the progeny of exposed individuals. To assess if the exposure of adult animals could result in effects on the offspring, the Mediterranean sea urchin and its well-characterized gene regulatory networks (GRNs) was chosen as a model. Adult animals were exposed to known concentrations of zinc and cadmium (both individually and in combination) for 10 days, and the resulting embryos were followed during the development. The oxidative stress occurring in parental gonads, embryo phenotypes and mortality, and the expression level of a set of selected genes, including members of the skeletogenic and endodermal GRNs, were evaluated. Increased oxidative stress at F0, high rates of developmental aberration with impaired gastrulation, in association to deregulation of genes involved in skeletogenesis (dri, hex, sm50, p16, p19, msp130), endodermal specification (foxa, hox11/13b, wnt8) and epigenetic regulation (kat2A, hdac1, ehmt2, phf8 and UBE2a) occurred either at 24 or 48 hpf. Results strongly indicate that exposure to environmental pollutants can affect not only directly challenged animals but also their progeny (at least F1), influencing optimal timing of genetic programme of embryo development, resulting in an overall impairment of developmental success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Masullo
- Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean-National Research Council (ISMED-CNR), Detached Unit of Palermo, Via Filippo Parlatore 65, 90145 Palermo, Italy; (T.M.); (M.D.N.); (C.D.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Girolama Biondo
- Institute for Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment-National Research Council (IAS-CNR), Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare 3, 91021 Campobello di Mazara, Italy;
| | - Marilena Di Natale
- Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean-National Research Council (ISMED-CNR), Detached Unit of Palermo, Via Filippo Parlatore 65, 90145 Palermo, Italy; (T.M.); (M.D.N.); (C.D.B.); (M.M.)
- Department of Earth and Marine Science (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 20, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Marcello Tagliavia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation-National Research Council-(IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Carmelo Daniele Bennici
- Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean-National Research Council (ISMED-CNR), Detached Unit of Palermo, Via Filippo Parlatore 65, 90145 Palermo, Italy; (T.M.); (M.D.N.); (C.D.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Marianna Musco
- Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean-National Research Council (ISMED-CNR), Detached Unit of Palermo, Via Filippo Parlatore 65, 90145 Palermo, Italy; (T.M.); (M.D.N.); (C.D.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Maria Antonietta Ragusa
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (M.A.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Salvatore Costa
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (M.A.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Angela Cuttitta
- Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean-National Research Council (ISMED-CNR), Detached Unit of Palermo, Via Filippo Parlatore 65, 90145 Palermo, Italy; (T.M.); (M.D.N.); (C.D.B.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (A.N.)
| | - Aldo Nicosia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation-National Research Council-(IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (A.N.)
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10
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Milito A, Murano C, Castellano I, Romano G, Palumbo A. Antioxidant and immune response of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus to different re-suspension patterns of highly polluted marine sediments. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 160:104978. [PMID: 32291250 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.104978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Marine pollution due to disused industrial activities is a major threat to ecosystems and human health, for example through the effects of re-suspension of toxic substances that are present in contaminated sediments. Here, we examined the effects of different re-suspension patterns of polluted sediments from the site of national interest Bagnoli-Coroglio, on the immune system of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. An indoor experiment was set up exposing sea urchins for 34 days to such sediments and evaluating the effects of two patterns of water turbulence, mimicking natural storms at sea. One group of animals experienced an "aggregated" pattern of turbulence, consisting in two events, each lasting 2 days, separated by only 3 calm days, while a second group experienced two events of turbulence separated by 17 calm days (spaced pattern). At different times from the beginning of the experiment, coelomic fluid was collected from the animals and immune cells were examined for cell count and morphology, oxidative stress variables, and expression of genes involved in metal detoxification, stress response and inflammation. Our results highlighted that the aggregated pattern of turbulence was more noxious for sea urchins. Indeed, their immune system was altered, over the exposure time, as indicated by the increase of red amoebocytes number. Moreover, despite of an increase of the antioxidant power, animals from this group displayed a very significant ROS over-production at the end of the experiment. Conversely, animals in the spaced condition activated a different immune response, mainly having phagocytes as actors, and were able to partially recover from the received stress at the end of the experiment. No changes in the expression of genes related to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses were observed in both groups. By contrast, a down-regulation of various metallothioneins (4, 6, 7 and 8) in the group subjected to aggregated pattern was observed, while metallothionein 8 was up-regulated in the animals from the group exposed to the spaced pattern of turbulence. This work provides the first evidence of how sea urchins can respond to different re-suspension patterns of polluted sediments by modulating their immune system functions. The present data are relevant in relation to the possible environmental restoration of the study site, whose priorities include the assessment of the effects of marine pollution on local organisms, among which P. lividus represents a key benthic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonsina Milito
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Carola Murano
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy; Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Immacolata Castellano
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Romano
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Palumbo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy.
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11
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Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the agent of the most common sexually transmitted diseases causing a variety of clinical manifestations ranging from warts to cancer. Oncogenic HPV infection is the major cause of cervical cancer and less frequently of penile cancers. Its presence in semen is widely known, but the effects on fertility are still controversial. We developed a new approach to evaluate virus localisation in the different semen components. We analysed also the specific genotype localisation and viral DNA quantity by qPCR. Results show that HPV DNA can be identified in every fraction of semen: spermatozoa, somatic cells and seminal plasma. Different samples can contain the HPV DNA in different fractions and several HPV genotypes can be found in the same fraction. Additionally, different fractions may contain multiple HPV genotypes in different relative quantity. We analysed the wholeness of HPV DNA in sperm cells by qPCR. In one sample more than half of viral genomes were defective, suggesting a possible recombination event. The new method allows to easily distinguish different sperm infections and to observe the possible effects on semen. The data support the proposed role of HPV in decreased fertility and prompt new possible consequences of the infection in semen.
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12
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Ruocco N, Bertocci I, Munari M, Musco L, Caramiello D, Danovaro R, Zupo V, Costantini M. Morphological and molecular responses of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus to highly contaminated marine sediments: The case study of Bagnoli-Coroglio brownfield (Mediterranean Sea). MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 154:104865. [PMID: 32056706 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.104865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Marine sediments store complex mixtures of compounds, including heavy metals, organotins and a large array of other contaminants. Sediment quality monitoring, characterization and management are priorities, due to potential impacts of the above compounds on coastal waters and their biota, especially in cases of pollutants released during dredging activities. Harbours and marinas, as well as estuaries and bays, where limited exchanges of water occurr, the accumulation of toxic compounds poses major concerns for human and environmental health. Here we report the effects of highly contaminated sediments from the site of national interest Bagnoli-Coroglio (Tyrrhenian Sea, Western Mediterranean) on the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, considered a good model for ecotoxicological studies. Adult sea urchins were reared one month in aquaria in the presence of contaminated sediment that was experimentally subject to different patterns of re-suspension events (mimicking the effect of natural storms occurring in the field), crossed with O2 enrichment versus natural gas exchanges in the water. The development of embryos deriving from adult urchins exposed to such experimental conditions was followed until the pluteus stage, checking the power of contaminated sediment to induce morphological malformations and its eventual buffering by high oxygenation. Real-Time qPCR analysis revealed that the expression of several genes (among the fifty analyzed, involved in different functional processes) was targeted by contaminated sediments more than those exposed in oxygen-enriched condition. Our findings have biological and ecological relevance in terms of assessing the actual impact on local organisms of chronic environmental contamination by heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons affecting the Bagnoli-Coroglio area, and of exploring enhanced sediment and water oxygenation as a promising tool to mitigate the effects of contamination in future environmental restoration actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Ruocco
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Iacopo Bertocci
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy; Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn,Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Munari
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn,Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Musco
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn,Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Caramiello
- Unit Marine Resources for Research, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Danovaro
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy; Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, 60131, Italy
| | - Valerio Zupo
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy.
| | - Maria Costantini
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy.
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13
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Esposito R, Ruocco N, Albarano L, Ianora A, Manfra L, Libralato G, Costantini M. Combined Effects of Diatom-Derived Oxylipins on the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030719. [PMID: 31979078 PMCID: PMC7036778 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxylipins are diatom-derived secondary metabolites, deriving from the oxidation of polyunsatured fatty acids that are released from cell membranes after cell damage or senescence of these single-celled algae. Previous results revealed harmful toxic effects of polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs) and hydroxyacids (HEPEs) on sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus embryonic development by testing individual compounds and mixtures of the same chemical group. Here, we investigated the combined effects of these compounds on sea urchin development at the morphological and molecular level for the first time. Our results demonstrated that oxylipin mixtures had stronger effects on sea urchin embryos compared with individual compounds, confirming that PUAs induce malformations and HEPEs cause developmental delay. This harmful effect was also confirmed by molecular analysis. Twelve new genes, involved in stress response and embryonic developmental processes, were isolated from the sea urchin P. lividus; these genes were found to be functionally interconnected with 11 genes already identified as a stress response of P. lividus embryos to single oxylipins. The expression levels of most of the analyzed genes targeted by oxylipin mixtures were involved in stress, skeletogenesis, development/differentiation, and detoxification processes. This work has important ecological implications, considering that PUAs and HEPEs represent the most abundant oxylipins in bloom-forming diatoms, opening new perspectives in understanding the molecular pathways activated by sea urchins exposed to diatom oxylipins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Esposito
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (R.E.); (N.R.); (L.A.); (A.I.); (L.M.); (G.L.)
| | - Nadia Ruocco
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (R.E.); (N.R.); (L.A.); (A.I.); (L.M.); (G.L.)
| | - Luisa Albarano
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (R.E.); (N.R.); (L.A.); (A.I.); (L.M.); (G.L.)
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Adrianna Ianora
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (R.E.); (N.R.); (L.A.); (A.I.); (L.M.); (G.L.)
| | - Loredana Manfra
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (R.E.); (N.R.); (L.A.); (A.I.); (L.M.); (G.L.)
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Libralato
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (R.E.); (N.R.); (L.A.); (A.I.); (L.M.); (G.L.)
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria Costantini
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (R.E.); (N.R.); (L.A.); (A.I.); (L.M.); (G.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-5833-3285
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14
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Chiarelli R, Martino C, Roccheri MC. Cadmium stress effects indicating marine pollution in different species of sea urchin employed as environmental bioindicators. Cell Stress Chaperones 2019; 24:675-687. [PMID: 31165437 PMCID: PMC6629738 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-019-01010-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, researches about the defense strategies induced by cadmium stress have greatly increased, invading several fields of scientific research. Mechanisms of cadmium-induced toxicity continue to be of interest for researchers given its ubiquitous nature and environmental distribution, where it often plays the role of pollutant for numerous organisms. The presence in the environment of this heavy metal has been constantly increasing because of its large employment in several industrial and agricultural activities. Cadmium does not have any biological role and, since it cannot be degraded by living organisms, it is irreversibly accumulated into cells, interacting with cellular components and molecular targets. Cadmium is one of the most studied heavy metal inductors of stress and a potent modulator of several processes such as apoptosis, autophagy, reactive oxygen species, protein kinase and phosphatase, mitochondrial function, metallothioneins, and heat-shock proteins. Sea urchins (adults, gametes, embryos, and larvae) offer an optimal opportunity to investigate the possible adaptive response of cells exposed to cadmium, since these cells are known to accumulate contaminants. In this review, we will examine several responses to stress induced by cadmium in different sea urchin species, with a focus on Paracentrotus lividus embryos. The sea urchin embryo represents a suitable system, as it is not subjected to legislation on animal welfare and can be easily used for toxicological studies and as a bioindicator of environmental pollution. Recently, it has been included into the guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays to monitor autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Chiarelli
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Chiara Martino
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Carmela Roccheri
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
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15
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A Survey on Tubulin and Arginine Methyltransferase Families Sheds Light on P. lividus Embryo as Model System for Antiproliferative Drug Development. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20092136. [PMID: 31052191 PMCID: PMC6539552 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20092136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Tubulins and microtubules (MTs) represent targets for taxane-based chemotherapy. To date, several lines of evidence suggest that effectiveness of compounds binding tubulin often relies on different post-translational modifications on tubulins. Among them, methylation was recently associated to drug resistance mechanisms impairing taxanes binding. The sea urchin is recognized as a research model in several fields including fertilization, embryo development and toxicology. To date, some α- and β-tubulin genes have been identified in P. lividus, while no data are available in echinoderms for arginine methyl transferases (PRMT). To evaluate the exploiting of the sea urchin embryo in the field of antiproliferative drug development, we carried out a survey of the expressed α- and β-tubulin gene sets, together with a comprehensive analysis of the PRMT gene family and of the methylable arginine residues in P. lividus tubulins. Because of their specificities, the sea urchin embryo may represent an interesting tool for dissecting mechanisms of tubulin targeting drug action. Therefore, results herein reported provide evidences supporting the P. lividus embryo as animal system for testing antiproliferative drugs.
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16
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Di Natale M, Bennici C, Biondo G, Masullo T, Monastero C, Tagliavia M, Torri M, Costa S, Ragusa MA, Cuttitta A, Nicosia A. Aberrant gene expression profiles in Mediterranean sea urchin reproductive tissues after metal exposures. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 216:48-58. [PMID: 30359916 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.10.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Marine organisms are simultaneously exposed to numerous pollutants, among which metals probably represent the most abundant in marine environments. In order to evaluate the effects of metal exposure at molecular level in reproductive tissues, we profiled the sea urchin transcriptional response after non-lethal exposures using pathway-focused mRNA expression analyses. Herein, we show that exposures to relatively high concentrations of both essential and toxic metals hugely affected the gonadic expression of several genes involved in stress-response, detoxification, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, without significant changes in gonadosomatic indices. Even though treatments did not result in reproductive tissues visible alterations, metal exposures negatively affected the main mechanisms of stress-response, detoxification and survival of adult P. lividus. Additionally, transcriptional changes observed in P. lividus gonads may cause altered gametogenesis and maintenance of heritable aberrant epigenetic effects. This study leads to the conclusion that exposures to metals, as usually occurs in polluted coastal areas, may affect sea urchin gametogenesis, thus supporting the hypothesis that parental exposure to environmental stressors affects the phenotype of the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Di Natale
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
| | - Carmelo Bennici
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
| | - Girolama Biondo
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
| | - Tiziana Masullo
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
| | - Calogera Monastero
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
| | - Marcello Tagliavia
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
| | - Marco Torri
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Costa
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Sicily, Italy.
| | - Maria Antonietta Ragusa
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Sicily, Italy.
| | - Angela Cuttitta
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
| | - Aldo Nicosia
- National Research Council-Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino (IAS-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del mare, 91021, Torretta Granitola (TP), Sicily, Italy.
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17
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Martino C, Costa C, Roccheri MC, Koop D, Scudiero R, Byrne M. Gadolinium perturbs expression of skeletogenic genes, calcium uptake and larval development in phylogenetically distant sea urchin species. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2018; 194:57-66. [PMID: 29156215 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Chelates of Gadolinium (Gd), a lanthanide metal, are employed as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging and are released into the aquatic environment where they are an emerging contaminant. We studied the effects of environmentally relevant Gd concentrations on the development of two phylogenetically and geographically distant sea urchin species: the Mediterranean Paracentrotus lividus and the Australian Heliocidaris tuberculata. We found a general delay of embryo development at 24h post-fertilization, and a strong inhibition of skeleton growth at 48h. Total Gd and Ca content in the larvae showed a time- and concentration-dependent increase in Gd, in parallel with a reduction in Ca. To investigate the impact of Gd on the expression of genes involved in the regulation of skeletogenesis, we performed comparative RT-PCR analysis and found a misregulation of several genes involved in the skeletogenic and left-right axis specification gene regulatory networks. Species-specific differences in the biomineralization response were evident, likely due to differences in the skeletal framework of the larvae and the amount of biomineral produced. Our results highlight the hazard of Gd for marine organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Martino
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare "Alberto Monroy", Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Caterina Costa
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare "Alberto Monroy", Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Carmela Roccheri
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Demian Koop
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, F13, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rosaria Scudiero
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli Federico II, via Mezzocannone 8, 80134, Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria Byrne
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, F13, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
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18
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Pedrini-Martha V, Schnegg R, Baurand PE, deVaufleury A, Dallinger R. The physiological role and toxicological significance of the non-metal-selective cadmium/copper-metallothionein isoform differ between embryonic and adult helicid snails. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2017; 199:38-47. [PMID: 28254493 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2017.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Metal regulation is essential for terrestrial gastropods to survive. In helicid snails, two metal-selective metallothionein (MT) isoforms with different functions are expressed. A cadmium-selective isoform (CdMT) plays a major role in Cd2+ detoxification and stress response, whereas a copper-selective MT (CuMT) is involved in Cu homeostasis and hemocyanin synthesis. A third, non-metal-selective isoform, called Cd/CuMT, was first characterized in Cantareus aspersus. The aim of this study was to quantify the transcriptional activity of all three MT genes in unexposed and metal-exposed (Cd, Cu) embryonic Roman snails. In addition, the complete Cd/CuMT mRNA of the Roman snail (Helix pomatia) was characterized, and its expression quantified in unexposed and Cd-treated adult individuals. In embryos of Helix pomatia, the Cd/CuMT gene was induced upon Cu exposure. Its transcription levels were many times higher than that of the other two MT genes, and also exceeded by far the Cd/CuMT mRNA concentrations of adult snails. In the hepatopancreas of adult Roman snails, no Cd/CuMT could be detected at the protein level, irrespective of whether the snails had been exposed to Cd or not. This contrasts with the situation in the near relative, Cantareus aspersus. It appeared that the 3'-UTR of the Cd/CuMT mRNA differed largely between Cantareus aspersus and Helix pomatia, being larger in the latter species, with a number of putative binding sites for proteins and miRNAs known to inhibit mRNA translation. We suggest this as a possible mechanism responsible for the lack of Cd/CuMT protein expression in adult Roman snails.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Raimund Schnegg
- Department of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Pierre-Emmanuel Baurand
- Chrono-Environnement, UMR 6249 University of Franche-Comté, 16 route de Gray, 25030 Besançon cedex, France
| | - Annette deVaufleury
- Chrono-Environnement, UMR 6249 University of Franche-Comté, 16 route de Gray, 25030 Besançon cedex, France; Department of Health Safety Environment, avenue des Rives du Lac, BP179, 70003 Vesoul cedex, France
| | - Reinhard Dallinger
- Department of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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Ragusa MA, Costa S, Cuttitta A, Gianguzza F, Nicosia A. Coexposure to sulfamethoxazole and cadmium impairs development and attenuates transcriptional response in sea urchin embryo. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 180:275-284. [PMID: 28411544 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Among sulfonamides, sulfamethoxazole represents one of the most widely employed. A considerable amount of sulfamethoxazole is introduced into the marine environment after utilization in aquaculture. The cytotoxicity of sulfamethoxazole relies mainly on arylhydroxylamine metabolites and it is associated with the production of reactive oxygen species. Cadmium represents a metal largely employed in several anthropic activities and it is toxic for all living organisms even at low concentrations. Since it is not degraded, cadmium irreversibly accumulates into cells. In order to understand the mechanisms of response to changes in the chemical environment, we investigated by light microscopy observations and RT-qPCR assays the impact of sulfamethoxazole and cadmium in P. lividus sea urchin embryos. During development, embryos were exposed to sulfamethoxazole amount comparable to that usually used in aquaculture procedures and/or sublethal levels of cadmium chloride. Impairment of development and biomarkers for inflammation, detoxification, metal scavenging and cell death were inspected. Even though treatment with sulfamethoxazole apparently did not affect development, it stimulated a remarkable molecular response to oxidative stress. Moreover, combined exposure seriously compromised development and the defense mechanisms to cadmium were blocked. This study leads to the conclusion that coexposure to sulfamethoxazole and cadmium induces neutralizing effects on sea urchin embryos. Thus, in marine areas nearby aquaculture farms, where sulfamethoxazole discharge represents an important environmental contaminant, cadmium occurrence may alter population dynamics of P. lividus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antonietta Ragusa
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Sicily, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Costa
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Sicily, Italy.
| | - Angela Cuttitta
- National Research Council-Institute for Marine and Coastal Environment (IAMC-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Torretta Granitola, Trapani, Sicily, Italy.
| | - Fabrizio Gianguzza
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128, Palermo, Sicily, Italy.
| | - Aldo Nicosia
- National Research Council-Institute for Marine and Coastal Environment (IAMC-CNR), Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Torretta Granitola, Trapani, Sicily, Italy.
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20
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Verderame M, Limatola E, Scudiero R. Metallothionein expression and synthesis in the testis of the lizard Podarcis sicula under natural conditions and following estrogenic exposure. Eur J Histochem 2017; 61:2777. [PMID: 28735517 PMCID: PMC5641668 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2017.2777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metallothionein (MT) is the main protein involved in the homeostasis of metallic micronutrients and in cellular defence against heavy metals and reactive oxygen species. Found in almost all vertebrate tissues, MT presence and localization in the testis has been controversial. In the present study, by using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis we assessed the localization of both MT transcript and protein in Podarcis sicula testes during two different phases of the reproductive cycle: the autumnal resumption and the springearly summer mating period. In addition, with the same methodological approach, we verified the effect of estradiol-1711and nonylphenol, a potent xenoestrogen, on MT expression and synthesis. These results, the first collected in a non-mammalian oviparous vertebrate, demonstrated that the expression profile of MT mRNA and protein changes during the reproductive cycle. In the fall resumption, MT transcripts are absent in spermatogonia and present in all the other cells of tubules, including spermatozoa; vice versa, the MT protein is evident only in spermatozoa and somatic cells. In the mating period, both MT transcripts and proteins are present in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids, whereas in the spermatozoa only the proteins are detected, thus suggesting that the MTs translated in the earlier germinal stages are stored up to spermatozoa. Results also demonstrated that in lizard testis the expression of MT gene undergoes a cell-specific regulation after estrogenic exposure; the possible role and the mechanism by which this regulation occurs have been discussed.
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21
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Metallothionein Gene Family in the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus: Gene Structure, Differential Expression and Phylogenetic Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18040812. [PMID: 28417916 PMCID: PMC5412396 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18040812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Metallothioneins (MT) are small and cysteine-rich proteins that bind metal ions such as zinc, copper, cadmium, and nickel. In order to shed some light on MT gene structure and evolution, we cloned seven Paracentrotus lividus MT genes, comparing them to Echinodermata and Chordata genes. Moreover, we performed a phylogenetic analysis of 32 MTs from different classes of echinoderms and 13 MTs from the most ancient chordates, highlighting the relationships between them. Since MTs have multiple roles in the cells, we performed RT-qPCR and in situ hybridization experiments to understand better MT functions in sea urchin embryos. Results showed that the expression of MTs is regulated throughout development in a cell type-specific manner and in response to various metals. The MT7 transcript is expressed in all tissues, especially in the stomach and in the intestine of the larva, but it is less metal-responsive. In contrast, MT8 is ectodermic and rises only at relatively high metal doses. MT5 and MT6 expression is highly stimulated by metals in the mesenchyme cells. Our results suggest that the P. lividus MT family originated after the speciation events by gene duplications, evolving developmental and environmental sub-functionalization.
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22
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Pinsino A, Bergami E, Della Torre C, Vannuccini ML, Addis P, Secci M, Dawson KA, Matranga V, Corsi I. Amino-modified polystyrene nanoparticles affect signalling pathways of the sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) embryos. Nanotoxicology 2017; 11:201-209. [PMID: 28091127 DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2017.1279360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Polystyrene nanoparticles have been shown to pose serious risk to marine organisms including sea urchin embryos based on their surface properties and consequently behaviour in natural sea water. The aim of this study is to investigate the toxicity pathways of amino polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NH2, 50 nm) in Paracentrotus lividus embryos in terms of development and signalling at both protein and gene levels. Two sub-lethal concentrations of 3 and 4 μg/mL of PS-NH2 were used to expose sea urchin embryos in natural sea water (PS-NH2 as aggregates of 143 ± 5 nm). At 24 and 48 h post-fertilisation (hpf) embryonic development was monitored and variations in the levels of key proteins involved in stress response and development (Hsp70, Hsp60, MnSOD, Phospho-p38 Mapk) as well as the modulation of target genes (Pl-Hsp70, Pl-Hsp60, Pl-Cytochrome b, Pl-p38 Mapk, Pl-Caspase 8, Pl-Univin) were measured. At 48 hpf various striking teratogenic effects were observed such as the occurrence of cells/masses randomly distributed, severe skeletal defects and delayed development. At 24 hpf a significant up-regulation of Pl-Hsp70, Pl-p38 Mapk, Pl-Univin and Pl-Cas8 genes was found, while at 48 hpf only for Pl-Univin was observed. Protein profile showed different patterns as a significant increase of Hsp70 and Hsp60 only after 48 hpf compared to controls. Conversely, P-p38 Mapk protein significantly increased at 24 hpf and decreased at 48 hpf. Our findings highlight that PS-NH2 are able to disrupt sea urchin embryos development by modulating protein and gene profile providing new understandings into the signalling pathways involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Pinsino
- a CNR - Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology "A. Monroy" , Palermo , Italy
| | - Elisa Bergami
- b Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences , University of Siena , Siena , Italy
| | | | - Maria Luisa Vannuccini
- b Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences , University of Siena , Siena , Italy
| | - Piero Addis
- d Department of Environmental and Life Sciences , University of Cagliari , Cagliari , Italy
| | - Marco Secci
- d Department of Environmental and Life Sciences , University of Cagliari , Cagliari , Italy
| | - Kenneth A Dawson
- e Centre for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Biology , University College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Valeria Matranga
- a CNR - Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology "A. Monroy" , Palermo , Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- b Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences , University of Siena , Siena , Italy
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23
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Varrella S, Romano G, Ruocco N, Ianora A, Bentley MG, Costantini M. First Morphological and Molecular Evidence of the Negative Impact of Diatom-Derived Hydroxyacids on the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Toxicol Sci 2016; 151:419-33. [PMID: 26984781 PMCID: PMC4880139 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfw053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxylipins (including polyunsaturated aldehydes [PUAs], hydoxyacids, and epoxyalcohols) are the end-products of a lipoxygenase/hydroperoxide lyase metabolic pathway in diatoms. To date, very little information is available on oxylipins other than PUAs, even though they represent the most common oxylipins produced by diatoms. Here, we report, for the first time, on the effects of 2 hydroxyacids, 5- and 15-HEPE, which have never been tested before, using the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus as a model organism. We show that HEPEs do induce developmental malformations but at concentrations higher when compared with PUAs. Interestingly, HEPEs also induced a marked developmental delay in sea urchin embryos, which has not hitherto been reported for PUAs. Recovery experiments revealed that embryos do not recover following treatment with HEPEs. Finally, we report the expression levels of 35 genes (involved in stress, development, differentiation, skeletogenesis, and detoxification processes) to identify the molecular targets affected by HEPEs. We show that the 2 HEPEs have very few common molecular targets, specifically affecting different classes of genes and at different times of development. In particular, 15-HEPE switched on fewer genes than 5-HEPE, upregulating mainly stress-related genes at a later pluteus stage of development. 5-HEPE was stronger than 15-HEPE, targeting 24 genes, mainly at the earliest stages of embryo development (at the blastula and swimming blastula stages). These findings highlight the differences between HEPEs and PUAs and also have important ecological implications because many diatom species do not produce PUAs, but rather these other chemicals are derived from the oxidation of fatty acids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giovanna Romano
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Napoli, 80121, Italy
| | - Nadia Ruocco
- *Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms
| | - Adrianna Ianora
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Napoli, 80121, Italy
| | - Matt G Bentley
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Dorset, BH12 5BB, United Kingdom
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24
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Chen H, Zhang C, Cai TC, Deng Y, Zhou S, Zheng Y, Ma S, Tang R, Varshney RK, Zhuang W. Identification of low Ca(2+) stress-induced embryo apoptosis response genes in Arachis hypogaea by SSH-associated library lift (SSHaLL). PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2016; 14:682-98. [PMID: 26079063 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2015] [Revised: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Calcium is a universal signal in the regulation of wide aspects in biology, but few are known about the function of calcium in the control of early embryo development. Ca(2+) deficiency in soil induces early embryo abortion in peanut, producing empty pods, which is a general problem; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, embryo abortion was characterized to be caused by apoptosis marked with cell wall degradation. Using a method of SSH cDNA libraries associated with library lift (SSHaLL), 62 differentially expressed genes were isolated from young peanut embryos. These genes were classified to be stress responses, catabolic process, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, embryo morphogenesis, regulation, etc. The cell retardation with cell wall degradation was caused by up-regulated cell wall hydrolases and down-regulated cellular synthases genes. HsfA4a, which was characterized to be important to embryo development, was significantly down-regulated under Ca(2+) -deficient conditions from 15 days after pegging (DAP) to 30 DAP. Two AhCYP707A4 genes, encoding abscisic acid (ABA) 8'-hydroxylases, key enzymes for ABA catabolism, were up-regulated by 21-fold under Ca(2+) -deficient conditions upstream of HsfA4a, reducing the ABA level in early embryos. Over-expression of AhCYP707A4 in Nicotiana benthamiana showed a phenotype of low ABA content with high numbers of aborted embryos, small pods and less seeds, which confirms that AhCYP707A4 is a key player in regulation of Ca(2+) deficiency-induced embryo abortion via ABA-mediated apoptosis. The results elucidated the mechanism of low Ca(2+) -induced embryo abortion and described the method for other fields of study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Chen
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular and Cell Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular and Cell Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Tie Cheng Cai
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular and Cell Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ye Deng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular and Cell Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shuangbiao Zhou
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular and Cell Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yixiong Zheng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular and Cell Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shiwei Ma
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular and Cell Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ronghua Tang
- Cash Crops Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Rajeev K Varshney
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, India
| | - Weijian Zhuang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular and Cell Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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25
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Baurand PE, Dallinger R, Niederwanger M, Capelli N, Pedrini-Martha V, de Vaufleury A. Differential sensitivity of snail embryos to cadmium: relation to age and metallothionein gene expression. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:3062-3067. [PMID: 26341338 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5320-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether cadmium (Cd) sensitivity of Cantareus aspersus embryos is age-dependent and influenced by metallothionein (MT) gene expression. Hatching success and the expression of three MT isoform genes (Ca-CdMT, Ca-CuMT and Ca-Cd/CuMT) were measured in embryos exposed to increasing Cd concentrations for 24 h starting on the sixth day of development. Isoform gene expression was quantified on days 7 and 12 after exposure. Results were compared to those of embryos exposed to the same conditions as above, but from the beginning of embryogenesis (day 0). Transcription of the Cd-specific MT gene (Ca-CdMT) was observed from the first day of development, whereas the two other genes did not respond to Cd at all. Overall, Cd sensitivity of embryos decreased with increasing age of development, as assessed by age-dependent increase of EC50 values for hatching rate, and increasing Cd threshold concentrations for Ca-CdMT expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Emmanuel Baurand
- Chrono-Environnement, UMR 6249 University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 16 route de Gray, 25000, Besançon, France
| | - Reinhard Dallinger
- Institute of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael Niederwanger
- Institute of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nicolas Capelli
- Chrono-Environnement, UMR 6249 University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 16 route de Gray, 25000, Besançon, France
| | | | - Annette de Vaufleury
- Chrono-Environnement, UMR 6249 University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 16 route de Gray, 25000, Besançon, France.
- Department of Health Safety Environment, avenue des Rives du Lac, BP179, 70003, Vesoul cedex, France.
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26
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Chiarelli R, Martino C, Agnello M, Bosco L, Roccheri MC. Autophagy as a defense strategy against stress: focus on Paracentrotus lividus sea urchin embryos exposed to cadmium. Cell Stress Chaperones 2016; 21:19-27. [PMID: 26362931 PMCID: PMC4679740 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-015-0639-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Revised: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is used by organisms as a defense strategy to face environmental stress. This mechanism has been described as one of the most important intracellular pathways responsible for the degradation and recycling of proteins and organelles. It can act as a cell survival mechanism if the cellular damage is not too extensive or as a cell death mechanism if the damage/stress is irreversible; in the latter case, it can operate as an independent pathway or together with the apoptotic one. In this review, we discuss the autophagic process activated in several aquatic organisms exposed to different types of environmental stressors, focusing on the sea urchin embryo, a suitable system recently included into the guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays to monitor autophagy. After cadmium (Cd) exposure, a heavy metal recognized as an environmental toxicant, the sea urchin embryo is able to adopt different defense mechanisms, in a hierarchical way. Among these, autophagy is one of the main responses activated to preserve the developmental program. Finally, we discuss the interplay between autophagy and apoptosis in the sea urchin embryo, a temporal and functional choice that depends on the intensity of stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Chiarelli
- Dip.to di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, Palermo, 90128, Italy
| | - Chiara Martino
- Dip.to di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, Palermo, 90128, Italy
| | - Maria Agnello
- Dip.to di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, Palermo, 90128, Italy
| | - Liana Bosco
- Dip.to di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, Palermo, 90128, Italy
| | - Maria Carmela Roccheri
- Dip.to di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, Palermo, 90128, Italy.
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27
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Migliaccio O, Castellano I, Cirino P, Romano G, Palumbo A. Maternal Exposure to Cadmium and Manganese Impairs Reproduction and Progeny Fitness in the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131815. [PMID: 26125595 PMCID: PMC4488381 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/07/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Metal contamination represents one of the major sources of pollution in marine environments. In this study we investigated the short-term effects of ecologically relevant cadmium and manganese concentrations (10-6 and 3.6 x 10-5 M, respectively) on females of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus and their progeny, reared in the absence or presence of the metal. Cadmium is a well-known heavy metal, whereas manganese represents a potential emerging contaminant, resulting from an increased production of manganese-containing compounds. The effects of these agents were examined on both P. lividus adults and their offspring following reproductive state, morphology of embryos, nitric oxide (NO) production and differential gene expression. Here, we demonstrated that both metals differentially impaired the fertilization processes of the treated female sea urchins, causing modifications in the reproductive state and also affecting NO production in the ovaries. A detailed analysis of the progeny showed a high percentage of abnormal embryos, associated to an increase in the endogenous NO levels and variations in the transcriptional expression of several genes involved in stress response, skeletogenesis, detoxification, multi drug efflux processes and NO production. Moreover, we found significant differences in the progeny from females exposed to metals and reared in metal-containing sea water compared to embryos reared in non-contaminated sea water. Overall, these results greatly expanded previous studies on the toxic effects of metals on P. lividus and provided new insights into the molecular events induced in the progeny of sea urchins exposed to metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriana Migliaccio
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples, Italy
| | - Immacolata Castellano
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Cirino
- Marine Resources for Research Service, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Romano
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Palumbo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples, Italy
- * E-mail:
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28
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Bonaventura R, Russo R, Zito F, Matranga V. Combined Effects of Cadmium and UVB Radiation on Sea Urchin Embryos: Skeleton Impairment Parallels p38 MAPK Activation and Stress Genes Overexpression. Chem Res Toxicol 2015; 28:1060-9. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.5b00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Bonaventura
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto
di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare “Alberto Monroy”, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberta Russo
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto
di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare “Alberto Monroy”, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca Zito
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto
di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare “Alberto Monroy”, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Valeria Matranga
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto
di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare “Alberto Monroy”, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
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29
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Migliaccio O, Castellano I, Romano G, Palumbo A. Stress response to cadmium and manganese in Paracentrotus lividus developing embryos is mediated by nitric oxide. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2014; 156:125-134. [PMID: 25181703 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2014.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Revised: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Increasing concentrations of contaminants, often resulting from anthropogenic activities, have been reported to occur in the marine environment and affect marine organisms. Among these, the metal ions cadmium and manganese have been shown to induce developmental delay and abnormalities, mainly reflecting skeleton elongation perturbation, in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, an established model for toxicological studies. Here, we provide evidence that the physiological messenger nitric oxide (NO), formed by l-arginine oxidation by NO synthase (NOS), mediates the stress response induced by cadmium and manganese in sea urchins. When NO levels were lowered by inhibiting NOS, the proportion of abnormal plutei increased. Quantitative expression of a panel of 19 genes involved in stress response, skeletogenesis, detoxification and multidrug efflux processes was followed at different developmental stages and under different conditions: metals alone, metals in the presence of NOS inhibitor, NO donor and NOS inhibitor alone. These data allowed the identification of different classes of genes whose metal-induced transcriptional expression was directly or indirectly mediated by NO. These results open new perspectives on the role of NO as a sensor of different stress agents in sea urchin developing embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriana Migliaccio
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Immacolata Castellano
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Romano
- Laboratory of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Palumbo
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy.
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30
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Gauthier PT, Norwood WP, Prepas EE, Pyle GG. Metal-PAH mixtures in the aquatic environment: a review of co-toxic mechanisms leading to more-than-additive outcomes. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2014; 154:253-69. [PMID: 24929353 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2014.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Revised: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Mixtures of metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) occur ubiquitously in aquatic environments, yet relatively little is known regarding their combined toxicities. Emerging reports investigating the additive mortality in metal-PAH mixtures have indicated that more-than-additive effects are equally as common as strictly-additive effects, raising concern for ecological risk assessment typically based on the summation of individual toxicities. Moreover, the current separation of focus between in vivo and in vitro studies, and fine- and coarse-scale endpoints, creates uncertainty regarding the mechanisms of co-toxicity involved in more-than-additive effects on whole organisms. Drawing from literature on metal and PAH toxicity in bacteria, protozoa, invertebrates, fish, and mammalian models, this review outlines several key mechanistic interactions likely to promote more-than-additive toxicity in metal-PAH mixtures. Namely, the deleterious effects of PAHs on membrane integrity and permeability to metals, the potential for metal-PAH complexation, the inhibitory nature of metals to the detoxification of PAHs via the cytochrome P450 pathway, the inhibitory nature of PAHs towards the detoxification of metals via metallothionein, and the potentiated production of reactive oxygenated species (ROS) in certain metal (e.g. Cu) and PAH (e.g., phenanthrenequinone) mixtures. Moreover, the mutual inhibition of detoxification suggests the possibility of positive feedback among these mechanisms. The individual toxicities and interactive aspects of contaminant transport, detoxification, and the production of ROS are herein discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick T Gauthier
- Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada P7B 5E1.
| | - Warren P Norwood
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada L7R 4A6
| | - Ellie E Prepas
- Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada P7B 5E1
| | - Greg G Pyle
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada T1K 3M4
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31
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Varrella S, Romano G, Ianora A, Bentley MG, Ruocco N, Costantini M. Molecular response to toxic diatom-derived aldehydes in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Mar Drugs 2014; 12:2089-113. [PMID: 24714125 PMCID: PMC4012444 DOI: 10.3390/md12042089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Diatoms are dominant photosynthetic organisms in the world’s oceans and represent a major food source for zooplankton and benthic filter-feeders. However, their beneficial role in sustaining marine food webs has been challenged after the discovery that they produce secondary metabolites, such as polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs), which negatively affect the reproductive success of many invertebrates. Here, we report the effects of two common diatom PUAs, heptadienal and octadienal, which have never been tested before at the molecular level, using the sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus, as a model organism. We show that both PUAs are able to induce teratogenesis (i.e., malformations), as already reported for decadienal, the better-studied PUA of this group. Moreover, post-recovery experiments show that embryos can recover after treatment with all three PUAs, indicating that negative effects depend both on PUA concentrations and the exposure time of the embryos to these metabolites. We also identify the time range during which PUAs exert the greatest effect on sea urchin embryogenesis. Finally, we report the expression levels of thirty one genes (having a key role in a broad range of functional responses, such as stress, development, differentiation, skeletogenesis and detoxification processes) in order to identify the common targets affected by PUAs and their correlation with morphological abnormalities. This study opens new perspectives for understanding how marine organisms afford protection from environmental toxicants through an integrated network of genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Varrella
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples 80121, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Romano
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples 80121, Italy.
| | - Adrianna Ianora
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples 80121, Italy.
| | - Matt G Bentley
- Dove Marine Laboratory, School of Marine Science and Technology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | - Nadia Ruocco
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples 80121, Italy.
| | - Maria Costantini
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples 80121, Italy.
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32
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The sea urchin metallothionein system: Comparative evaluation of the SpMTA and SpMTB metal-binding preferences. FEBS Open Bio 2013; 3:89-100. [PMID: 23847757 PMCID: PMC3668524 DOI: 10.1016/j.fob.2013.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2012] [Revised: 01/09/2013] [Accepted: 01/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Metallothioneins (MTs) constitute a superfamily of ubiquitous metal-binding proteins of low molecular weight and high Cys content. They are involved in metal homeostasis and detoxification, amongst other proposed biological functions. Two MT isoforms (SpMTA and SpMTB) have been reported in the echinoderm Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (sea urchin), both containing 20 Cys residues and presenting extremely similar sequences, although showing distinct tissular and ontogenic expression patterns. Although exhaustive information is available for the Cd(II)-SpMTA complex, this including the full resolution of its 3D structure, no data has been reported concerning either SpMTA Zn(II) and Cu(I) binding properties, or the characterization of SpMTB at protein level. In this work, both the SpMTA and SpMTB isoforms, as well as their separate α and β domains, have been recombinantly synthesized in the presence of Zn(II), Cd(II) or Cu(II), and the corresponding metal complexes have been analyzed using electrospray mass spectrometry, and CD, ICP-AES and UV-vis spectroscopies. The results clearly show a better performance of isoform A when binding Zn(II) and Cd(II), and of isoform B when coordinating Cu(I). Thus, our results confirm the differential metal binding preference of SpMTA and SpMTB, which, together with the reported induction pattern of the respective genes, highlights how also in Echinodermata the MT polymorphism may be linked to the evolution of different physiological roles.
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