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Wang R, Zhang C, Li X, Sha W, Xue Z, Zhou Z, Ma Y, Zhu S, Guo Z, Zhao B, Zhang W. Toxicological evaluation of TBBPA by common carp (Cyprinus carpio) about the in vivo/vitro disturbance of the AHR pathway. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166622. [PMID: 37647967 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is a widely used plastic additive with high bioaccumulation potential and toxicity on both humans and wildlife. Currently, research on its ecotoxicity and the underlying mechanism is limited. Using common carp (Cyprinus carpio), we evaluated the toxicity of TBBPA, especially focusing on its alteration of a key metabolism-related pathway aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), using in vivo/vitro assays and in silico simulation. The 96 h LC50 of TBBPA of common carp was 4.2 mg/L and belonged to the acute toxic level II. The bioaccumulation potential of TBBPA follows the role of liver > gill > brain and varies between 3- and 14-day exposure. On the AHR pathway respect, as expected, the metabolism-related cyp1a1 and cyp1b1 were upregulated in the liver and brain. Ahr2, the receptor, was also upregulated in the brain under TBBPA exposure. The alteration of gene expression was tissue-specific while the difference between 3- or 14-day exposure was minor. AHR inhibition assay indicated the 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced AHR transactivation can be inhibited by TBBPA suggesting it is not a potent agonist but a competitive antagonist. In silico analysis indicated TBBPA can be successfully docked into the binding cavity with similar poses but still have AHR-form-specific interactions. Molecular dynamics simulation proved TBBPA can be more flexible than the coplanar ligand TCDD, especially in ccaAHR1b with greater root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), of which TCDD-induced transactivation seemed not to be blocked by TBBPA. This research increased the understanding of TBBPA toxicity and alteration of the AHR pathway, and pointed out the need to perform additional toxicology evaluation of emerging contaminants, especially on non-model species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjun Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong 273165, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong 273165, China
| | - Xingyang Li
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong 273165, China
| | - Weilai Sha
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong 273165, China
| | - Zhenhong Xue
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong 273165, China
| | - Zhiguang Zhou
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Dioxin Pollution Control, National Research Center for Environmental Analysis and Measurement, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yongchao Ma
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shuyun Zhu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong 273165, China
| | - Zitong Guo
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong 273165, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Wanglong Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong 273165, China.
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Gomes AS, Passos LS, Rocha Aride PH, Chisté B, Gomes LC, Boldrini-França J. Gene expression changes in Epinephelus marginatus (Teleostei, Serranidae) liver reveals candidate molecular biomarker of iron ore contamination. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 303:134899. [PMID: 35561782 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134899] [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: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Wastes from iron ore mining activities are potentially damaging to adjacent aquatic ecosystems. We aimed to determine biomarkers of environmental exposure to this xenobiotic in the dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus by differential gene expression analysis. For this, fish were exposed to iron ore (15.2 mg/L) and gene expression in liver was assessed by RNA-Seq and compared to the control group. A total of 124 differentially expressed genes were identified, from which 52 were upregulated and 72 were downregulated in response to iron ore. From these, ferritin (medium subunit), cytochrome b reductase and epoxide hydrolase genes were selected for validation by RT-qPCR that confirmed the upregulation of epoxide hydrolase in fish exposed to iron ore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Silva Gomes
- Universidade Vila Velha, Rua Comissário José Dantas Melo, 21, 29102-770, Vila Velha ES, Brazil
| | - Larissa Souza Passos
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, 580, 05508-000, São Paulo SP, Brazil
| | | | - Bárbara Chisté
- Universidade Vila Velha, Rua Comissário José Dantas Melo, 21, 29102-770, Vila Velha ES, Brazil
| | - Levy Carvalho Gomes
- Universidade Vila Velha, Rua Comissário José Dantas Melo, 21, 29102-770, Vila Velha ES, Brazil
| | - Johara Boldrini-França
- Universidade Vila Velha, Rua Comissário José Dantas Melo, 21, 29102-770, Vila Velha ES, Brazil; School of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom.
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Zhang W, Xie HQ, Li Y, Zhou M, Zhou Z, Wang R, Hahn ME, Zhao B. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor: A predominant mediator for the toxicity of emerging dioxin-like compounds. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 426:128084. [PMID: 34952507 PMCID: PMC9039345 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.128084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a member of the basic helix-loop-helix/Per-ARNT-Sim (bHLH-PAS) family of transcription factors and has broad biological functions. Early after the identification of the AHR, most studies focused on its roles in regulating the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes and mediating the toxicity of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds (DLCs). Currently, more diverse functions of AHR have been identified, indicating that AHR is not just a dioxin receptor. Dioxins and DLCs occur ubiquitously and have diverse health/ecological risks. Additional research is required to identify both shared and compound-specific mechanisms, especially for emerging DLCs such as polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs), polychlorinated diphenyl sulfides (PCDPSs), and others, of which only a few investigations have been performed at present. Many of the toxic effects of emerging DLCs were observed to be predominantly mediated by the AHR because of their structural similarity as dioxins, and the in vitro TCDD-relative potencies of certain emerging DLC congeners are comparable to or even greater than the WHO-TEFs of OctaCDD, OctaCDF, and most coplanar PCBs. Due to the close relationship between AHR biology and environmental science, this review begins by providing novel insights into AHR signaling (canonical and non-canonical), AHR's biochemical properties (AHR structure, AHR-ligand interaction, AHR-DNA binding), and the variations during AHR transactivation. Then, AHR ligand classification and the corresponding mechanisms are discussed, especially the shared and compound-specific, AHR-mediated effects and mechanisms of emerging DLCs. Accordingly, a series of in vivo and in vitro toxicity evaluation methods based on the AHR signaling pathway are reviewed. In light of current advances, future research on traditional and emerging DLCs will enhance our understanding of their mechanisms, toxicity, potency, and ecological impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanglong Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong 273165, China
| | - Heidi Qunhui Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yunping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mingxi Zhou
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences v.v.i, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Zhiguang Zhou
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Dioxin Pollution Control, National Research Center for Environmental Analysis and Measurement, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Renjun Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong 273165, China
| | - Mark E Hahn
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA; Boston University Superfund Research Program, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Bin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Luo Q, Zha G, Lin L, Huang Y, Zou X. Comparison of physicochemical properties of different tissues from China climbing perch Anabas testudineus and crucian carp Carassius auratus. Food Sci Nutr 2022; 10:936-944. [PMID: 35282014 PMCID: PMC8907716 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.2727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate nutrition in climbing perch Anabas testudineus which is an important nutritious economic freshwater fish in Asia and compare with Carassius auratus (crucian carp). Three kinds of tissues, including muscle, livers, and eggs, were isolated, respectively. Physicochemical properties including moisture, ash, protein, amino acids, fat, vitamins, and calcium contents in those tissues were determined. The results showed climbing perch muscle and liver contained less moisture, but more protein, amino acids, and vitamins than crucian carp muscle and liver. While moisture, ash, protein, and total amino acids contents of climbing perch egg were lower than those of crucian carp egg. Climbing perch egg had more fat, vitamins, and calcium than crucian carp egg. The amino acid profile was also performed, and 16 amino acids were identified and quantified in muscle, liver, and egg. Among tissues, the highest and lowest concentration of total amino acid content was found in crucian carp eggs and livers, respectively. Glutamic acid (Glu) and histidine (His) were the most and least amino acids in climbing perch and crucian carp tissues, respectively. Sixteen amino acids in climbing perch egg were less than those in crucian carp egg while it is an opposite case in muscle and liver, which amino acids of climbing perch tissues were more than those of crucian carp muscle and liver. Vitamin A of climbing perch was more than crucian carp in all three tissues, but vitamin E content in climbing perch liver was lower than that of crucian carp liver. Calcium content of muscle had no difference between two species. The abovementioned comparison of physicochemical properties of different tissues from China climbing perch and crucian carp will provide a necessary supplementary of freshwater muscle nutrition research, also was helpful for application of climbing perch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiulan Luo
- School of Life Sciences and Food EngineeringHanshan Normal UniversityChaozhouChina
| | - Guangcai Zha
- School of Life Sciences and Food EngineeringHanshan Normal UniversityChaozhouChina
| | - Liyun Lin
- School of Life Sciences and Food EngineeringHanshan Normal UniversityChaozhouChina
| | - Yongping Huang
- School of Life Sciences and Food EngineeringHanshan Normal UniversityChaozhouChina
| | - Xianghui Zou
- School of Life Sciences and Food EngineeringHanshan Normal UniversityChaozhouChina
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Overview of the betta fish genome regarding species radiation, parental care, behavioral aggression, and pigmentation model relevant to humans. Genes Genomics 2021; 43:91-104. [PMID: 33515118 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-020-01027-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens, also known as the betta) is well known in aquarium markets, and also presents an exciting new research model for studying parental care, aggressive behavior, and cryptically diverse pigmentation. However, concentrated efforts are required, both in the context of conservation biology and in its genetics, to address the problems of ongoing outbreeding depression, loss of biodiversity, and lack of scientific biological information. OBJECTIVE The evolutionary dynamics of the betta must be better understood at the genomic scale in order to resolve the phylogenetic status of unrecognized species, develop molecular markers to study variation in traits, and identify interesting sets of genes encoding various bioresource functions. METHODS The recent revolution in multi-omics approaches such as genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, and proteomics has uncovered genetic diversity and gained insights into many aspects of betta bioresources. RESULTS Here, we present current research and future plans in an ongoing megaproject to characterize the betta genome as de novo assemblies, genes and repeat annotations, generating data to study diverse biological phenomena. We highlight key questions that require answers and propose new directions and recommendations to develop bioresource management to protect and enhance the betta genus. CONCLUSION Successful accomplishment of these plans will allow the creation of a reference annotated genome and provide valuable information at the molecular level that can be utilized to sustain biodiversity and eco-management of the betta to improve breeding programs for future biomedical research.
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Zhang W, Xie HQ, Zou X, Li J, Xu L, Li Y, Zhou Z, Jin T, Ma D, Zhao B. The toxic effects of in situ exposure of a native fish species (Anabas testudineus) to electronic waste pollution. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 690:1170-1177. [PMID: 31470480 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, crude recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) has caused serious pollution and threatened wild organisms in certain regions. It is therefore valuable to investigate the pollution-induced toxic effects in situ using native fish species. Unlike the death or decline observed in other species, Anabas testudineus can better adapt to severe e-waste pollution. Using it as a model, the true status of this wild organism was revealed. We collected A. testudineus from two polluted sites (st1 and st2) and conducted transcriptome analyses of the liver, gill, and kidney. Clear whole-transcriptome differences were found between polluted and clean sites and between differentially polluted sites (st1 and st2). Pathway analysis revealed that long-term e-waste pollution would cause significant hypoxia, oxidative stress, and potentially apoptosis. Accordingly, several defensive responses were elicited including 'oxidation-reduction' and the 'unfolded protein response'. Certain biological processes, including 'DNA repair' and 'endoplasmic reticulum stress response', were altered in a tissue- or burden-specific pattern suggesting transcriptome plasticity in response to distinct burdens. This study revealed the toxic impacts of e-waste pollution on wild organisms using a native fish species. Additionally, due to its highly adaptive nature, A. testudineus could be a suitable test species for such severe conditions in the wild or otherwise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanglong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Heidi Qunhui Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xianghui Zou
- School of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou 521041, China
| | - Jiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Li Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yunping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhiguang Zhou
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Dioxin Pollution Control, National Research Center for Environmental Analysis and Measurement, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Tao Jin
- China National Genebank-Shenzhen, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China; BGI-Qingdao, Qingdao 266510, China
| | - Dan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Zhang W, Xie HQ, Li Y, Zou X, Xu L, Ma D, Li J, Ma Y, Jin T, Hahn ME, Zhao B. Characterization of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) Pathway in Anabas testudineus and Mechanistic Exploration of the Reduced Sensitivity of AhR2a. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:12803-12811. [PMID: 31566365 PMCID: PMC6832778 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b04181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Field investigations have revealed the ability of the climbing perch Anabas testudineus to survive in highly contaminated water bodies. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway is vital in mediating the toxicity of aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants, and genotypic variation in the AhR can confer resistance to these contaminants. Thus, we characterized the AhR pathway in A. testudineus in order to understand the mechanism(s) underlying the resistance of this species to contaminants and to broaden current knowledge on teleost AhR. In A. testudineus, four AhRs, two AhR nuclear translocators (ARNTs), and one AhR repressor (AhRR) were found. Transient transfection assays revealed that AhR1a, AhR1b, and AhR2b were functional, whereas AhR2a was poorly activated by the potent agonist 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Two ARNTs (partner of AhR) and one AhRR (repressor of AhR) all were functional with each of the active AhR. As a major form, the insensitivity of AhR2a might serve as a potential mechanism for A. testudineus' reduced sensitivity to severe contamination. We explored the key residues that may account for AhR2a's insensitivity in silico and then functionally validated them in vitro. Two sites (VCS322-324, M370) in its ligand-binding domain (LBD) were proved critical for its sensitivity to TCDD. This systematic exploration of the AhR pathway showed that most members have maintained their traditional functions as expected, whereas a nonfunctionalization event has occurred for AhR2a.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanglong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Heidi Qunhui Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yunping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xianghui Zou
- School of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou 521041, China
| | - Li Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yongchao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tao Jin
- China National Genebank-Shenzhen, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- BGI-Qingdao, Qingdao 266510, China
| | - Mark E. Hahn
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
- Boston University Superfund Research Program, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Bin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Ma D, Xie HQ, Zhang W, Xue Q, Liu X, Xu L, Ma Y, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Long M, Zhang A, Zhao B. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activity of polyhalogenated carbazoles and the molecular mechanism. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 687:516-526. [PMID: 31216508 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs) are a class of contaminants identified with persistence and bioaccumulation property from previous studies. However, the toxic effect and mechanism of PHCZs are not fully understood. In this study, eleven PHCZs, including four chlorocarbazoles, four bromocarbazoles and two bromo/chlorocarbazoles were screened for their potential aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activity by using a dioxin responsive element-driven luciferase reporter assay. We found that nine PHCZs significantly activated AhR in a concentration-dependent manner. Their potencies of AhR activation were 1000 to 100,000 folds less than that of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the most potent AhR ligand. The relative AhR activation potency of the nine PHCZs followed the order 2,3,6,7-tetrachloro-9H-carbazole >2,7-dibromo-9H-carbazole >1,3,6-tribromo-9H-carbazole >1,3,6,8-tetrachloro-9H-carbazole >1,3,6,8-tetrabromo-9H-carbazole >1-bromo-3,6-dichloro-9H-carbazole >3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazole >3-bromo-9H-carbazole >1,8-dibromo-3,6-dichloro-9H-carbazole, which was partly in line with the induction of AhR-mediated CYP1A1 expression. In silico analysis indicated that the nine PHCZs could be docked into the same pocket as TCDD due to their high structural similarity. However, the shrunk size of the heterocyclic moieties in PHCZs relative to that in TCDD dramatically decreased the complex stability provided by inter-molecular interactions. Moreover, two distinguished docking poses adopted by the nine PHCZs were found, in which one was illustrated by 2367-CCZ and 27-BCZ while the other symbolized by TCDD and the left seven agonists. The differential antagonizing effects of CH223191 on PHCZ-induced AhR activity supported such pose differentiation. The present experimental and in silico data provide new direct evidence of PHCZ-AhR interaction which sheds light on AhR-associated toxicological study and risk assessment of PHCZs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center of Eco-Environment Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Heidi Qunhui Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center of Eco-Environment Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wanglong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center of Eco-Environment Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qiao Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center of Eco-Environment Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiuchang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center of Eco-Environment Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Li Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center of Eco-Environment Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yongchao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center of Eco-Environment Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus DK-8000, Denmark
| | - Manhai Long
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus DK-8000, Denmark
| | - Aiqian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center of Eco-Environment Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center of Eco-Environment Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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