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Aanniz T, Bakrim S, Amanullah M, Bouyahya A. Nuclear receptors in cancer: Unveiling theranostic potentials and innovative therapeutic strategies. Pathol Res Pract 2025; 272:156044. [PMID: 40449148 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2025.156044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2025] [Revised: 05/25/2025] [Accepted: 05/25/2025] [Indexed: 06/02/2025]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) include a family of 48 transcription factors (TFs) that regulate gene expression implicated in biological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, and immune response. Cancer development has been widely linked to the dysregulation of NRs and their signaling pathways, providing promising targets for therapeutic applications. Recent progress in OMIC approaches and high-throughput drug screening has facilitated the emergence of biomolecules, especially phytochemicals, as potential substitutes for synthetic anti-cancer drugs. This review aims to highlight the anticancer potency of diverse classes of biocompounds that target NRs, including phytocompounds, dietary components, venom constituents, microbial metabolites, as well as many small molecules generated from computer-aided drug design (CADD) approaches in the design of innovative and safe treatments. We examine critically the preclinical and clinical trials investigating these candidates for preventing and treating cancer, focusing on their modes of action, their proven efficacy, and their limitations. In addition, we underline significant molecular processes modulated by these natural compounds, highlighting their ability to surmount drug resistance and minimize the toxic effects of standard treatments. Overall, we believe this work has the potential to pave the way for new paradigms in identifying innovative therapeutic options for NR-mediated management of specific types of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarik Aanniz
- Biotechnology Laboratory (MedBiotech), Bioinova Research Center, Rabat Medical and Pharmacy School, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
| | - Saad Bakrim
- Geo-Bio-Environment Engineering and Innovation Laboratory, Molecular Engineering, Biotechnology and Innovation Team, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taroudant, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco.
| | - Mohammed Amanullah
- Department of clinical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Abdelhakim Bouyahya
- Laboratory of Human Pathologies Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat 10106, Morocco.
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2
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Casas-Rodríguez A, Medrano-Padial C, Jos A, Cameán AM, Campos A, Fonseca E. Characterization of NR1J1 Paralog Responses of Marine Mussels: Insights from Toxins and Natural Activators. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6287. [PMID: 38928005 PMCID: PMC11204112 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a nuclear hormone receptor that plays a pivotal role in regulating gene expression in response to various ligands, particularly xenobiotics. In this context, the aim of this study was to shed light on the ligand affinity and functions of four NR1J1 paralogs identified in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, employing a dual-luciferase reporter assay. To achieve this, the activation patterns of these paralogs in response to various toxins, including freshwater cyanotoxins (Anatoxin-a, Cylindrospermopsin, and Microcystin-LR, -RR, and -YR) and marine algal toxins (Nodularin, Saxitoxin, and Tetrodotoxin), alongside natural compounds (Saint John's Wort, Ursolic Acid, and 8-Methoxypsoralene) and microalgal extracts (Tetraselmis, Isochrysis, LEGE 95046, and LEGE 91351 extracts), were studied. The investigation revealed nuanced differences in paralog response patterns, highlighting the remarkable sensitivity of MgaNR1J1γ and MgaNR1J1δ paralogs to several toxins. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the intricate mechanisms of xenobiotic metabolism and detoxification, particularly focusing on the role of marine mussel NR1J1 in responding to a diverse array of compounds. Furthermore, comparative analysis with human PXR revealed potential species-specific adaptations in detoxification mechanisms, suggesting evolutionary implications. These findings deepen our understanding of PXR-mediated metabolism mechanisms, offering insights into environmental monitoring and evolutionary biology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Casas-Rodríguez
- Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor García González n◦2, 41012 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (A.J.); (A.M.C.)
| | - Concepción Medrano-Padial
- Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor García González n◦2, 41012 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (A.J.); (A.M.C.)
- Laboratorio de Fitoquímica y Alimentos Saludables (LabFAS), Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CEBAS-CSIC), Campus Universitario 25, Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Angeles Jos
- Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor García González n◦2, 41012 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (A.J.); (A.M.C.)
| | - Ana M. Cameán
- Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor García González n◦2, 41012 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (A.J.); (A.M.C.)
| | - Alexandre Campos
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal;
| | - Elza Fonseca
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal;
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3
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Neal WM, Pandey P, Khan SI, Khan IA, Chittiboyina AG. Machine learning and traditional QSAR modeling methods: a case study of known PXR activators. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:903-917. [PMID: 37059719 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2196701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Pregnane X receptor (PXR), extensively expressed in human tissues related to digestion and metabolism, is responsible for recognizing and detoxifying diverse xenobiotics encountered by humans. To comprehend the promiscuous nature of PXR and its ability to bind a variety of ligands, computational approaches, viz., quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models, aid in the rapid dereplication of potential toxicological agents and mitigate the number of animals used to establish a meaningful regulatory decision. Recent advancements in machine learning techniques accommodating larger datasets are expected to aid in developing effective predictive models for complex mixtures (viz., dietary supplements) before undertaking in-depth experiments. Five hundred structurally diverse PXR ligands were used to develop traditional two-dimensional (2D) QSAR, machine-learning-based 2D-QSAR, field-based three-dimensional (3D) QSAR, and machine-learning-based 3D-QSAR models to establish the utility of predictive machine learning methods. Additionally, the applicability domain of the agonists was established to ensure the generation of robust QSAR models. A prediction set of dietary PXR agonists was used to externally-validate generated QSAR models. QSAR data analysis revealed that machine-learning 3D-QSAR techniques were more accurate in predicting the activity of external terpenes with an external validation squared correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.70 versus an R2 of 0.52 in machine-learning 2D-QSAR. Additionally, a visual summary of the binding pocket of PXR was assembled from the field 3D-QSAR models. By developing multiple QSAR models in this study, a robust groundwork for assessing PXR agonism from various chemical backbones has been established in anticipation of the identification of potential causative agents in complex mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- William M Neal
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
| | - Pankaj Pandey
- National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
| | - Shabana I Khan
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
- National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
| | - Ikhlas A Khan
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
- National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
| | - Amar G Chittiboyina
- National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
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4
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Beyer J, Song Y, Lillicrap A, Rodríguez-Satizábal S, Chatzigeorgiou M. Ciona spp. and ascidians as bioindicator organisms for evaluating effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals: A discussion paper. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 191:106170. [PMID: 37708617 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106170] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
In context of testing, screening and monitoring of endocrine-disrupting (ED) type of environmental pollutants, tunicates could possibly represent a particularly interesting group of bioindicator organisms. These primitive chordates are already important model organisms within developmental and genomics research due to their central position in evolution and close relationship to vertebrates. The solitary ascidians, such as the genus Ciona spp. (vase tunicates), could possibly be extra feasible as ED bioindicators. They have a free-swimming, tadpole-like larval stage that develops extremely quickly (<20 h under favorable conditions), has a short life cycle (typically 2-3 months), are relatively easy to maintain in laboratory culture, have fully sequenced genomes, and transgenic embryos with 3D course data of the embryo ontogeny are available. In this article, we discuss possible roles of Ciona spp. (and other solitary ascidians) as ecotoxicological bioindicator organisms in general but perhaps especially for effect studies of contaminants with presumed endocrine disrupting modes of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonny Beyer
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Økernveien 94, NO-0579, Oslo, Norway.
| | - You Song
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Økernveien 94, NO-0579, Oslo, Norway
| | - Adam Lillicrap
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Økernveien 94, NO-0579, Oslo, Norway
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5
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Hegde M, Girisa S, Naliyadhara N, Kumar A, Alqahtani MS, Abbas M, Mohan CD, Warrier S, Hui KM, Rangappa KS, Sethi G, Kunnumakkara AB. Natural compounds targeting nuclear receptors for effective cancer therapy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:765-822. [PMID: 36482154 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-022-10068-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Human nuclear receptors (NRs) are a family of forty-eight transcription factors that modulate gene expression both spatially and temporally. Numerous biochemical, physiological, and pathological processes including cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, immune modulation, development, reproduction, and aging are extensively orchestrated by different NRs. The involvement of dysregulated NRs and NR-mediated signaling pathways in driving cancer cell hallmarks has been thoroughly investigated. Targeting NRs has been one of the major focuses of drug development strategies for cancer interventions. Interestingly, rapid progress in molecular biology and drug screening reveals that the naturally occurring compounds are promising modern oncology drugs which are free of potentially inevitable repercussions that are associated with synthetic compounds. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to draw our attention to the potential therapeutic effects of various classes of natural compounds that target NRs such as phytochemicals, dietary components, venom constituents, royal jelly-derived compounds, and microbial derivatives in the establishment of novel and safe medications for cancer treatment. This review also emphasizes molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways that are leveraged to promote the anti-cancer effects of these natural compounds. We have also critically reviewed and assessed the advantages and limitations of current preclinical and clinical studies on this subject for cancer prophylaxis. This might subsequently pave the way for new paradigms in the discovery of drugs that target specific cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mangala Hegde
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Sosmitha Girisa
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Nikunj Naliyadhara
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Aviral Kumar
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Mohammed S Alqahtani
- Radiological Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, 61421, Saudi Arabia
- BioImaging Unit, Space Research Centre, University of Leicester, Michael Atiyah Building, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Mohamed Abbas
- Electrical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, 61421, Saudi Arabia
- Electronics and Communications Department, College of Engineering, Delta University for Science and Technology, 35712, Gamasa, Egypt
| | | | - Sudha Warrier
- Division of Cancer Stem Cells and Cardiovascular Regeneration, School of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bangalore, 560065, India
- Cuor Stem Cellutions Pvt Ltd, Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Kam Man Hui
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | | | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117600, Singapore.
| | - Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India.
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6
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Sigüeiro R, Bianchetti L, Peluso-Iltis C, Chalhoub S, Dejaegere A, Osz J, Rochel N. Advances in Vitamin D Receptor Function and Evolution Based on the 3D Structure of the Lamprey Ligand-Binding Domain. J Med Chem 2022; 65:5821-5829. [PMID: 35302785 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3) regulates many physiological processes in vertebrates by binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Phylogenetic analysis indicates that jawless fishes are the most basal vertebrates exhibiting a VDR gene. To elucidate the mechanism driving VDR activation during evolution, we determined the crystal structure of the VDR ligand-binding domain (LBD) complex from the basal vertebratePetromyzon marinus, sea lamprey (lVDR). Comparison of three-dimensional crystal structures of the lVDR-1,25D3 complex with higher vertebrate VDR-1,25D3 structures suggests that 1,25D3 binds to lVDR similarly to human VDR, but with unique features for lVDR around linker regions between H11 and H12 and between H9 and H10. These structural differences may contribute to the marked species differences in transcriptional responses. Furthermore, residue co-evolution analysis of VDR across vertebrates identifies amino acid positions in H9 and the large insertion domain VDR LBD specific as correlated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Sigüeiro
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 67400 Illkirch, France.,Institut National de La Santé et de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1258, 67400 Illkirch, France.,Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, 67400 Illkirch, France.,Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Laurent Bianchetti
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 67400 Illkirch, France.,Institut National de La Santé et de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1258, 67400 Illkirch, France.,Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, 67400 Illkirch, France.,Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Carole Peluso-Iltis
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 67400 Illkirch, France.,Institut National de La Santé et de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1258, 67400 Illkirch, France.,Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, 67400 Illkirch, France.,Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Sandra Chalhoub
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 67400 Illkirch, France.,Institut National de La Santé et de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1258, 67400 Illkirch, France.,Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, 67400 Illkirch, France.,Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Annick Dejaegere
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 67400 Illkirch, France.,Institut National de La Santé et de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1258, 67400 Illkirch, France.,Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, 67400 Illkirch, France.,Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Judit Osz
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 67400 Illkirch, France.,Institut National de La Santé et de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1258, 67400 Illkirch, France.,Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, 67400 Illkirch, France.,Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Natacha Rochel
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 67400 Illkirch, France.,Institut National de La Santé et de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1258, 67400 Illkirch, France.,Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, 67400 Illkirch, France.,Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
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7
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Liu Y, Lu Y, Jiao YH, Li DW, Li HY, Yang WD. Multi-omics analysis reveals metabolism of okadaic acid in gut lumen of rat. Arch Toxicol 2022; 96:831-843. [PMID: 35037095 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03219-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Okadaic acid (OA) is an important marine lipophilic phycotoxin with various pathological properties, responsible for diarrheal shellfish poisoning events in human beings over the world. However, to date no mechanism can well explain the toxicity and symptom of OA, even diarrhea. Here, to reveal the toxic mechanism of OA to mammals, we analyzed the metabolism of OA in rat and the effects of OA exposure on the composition and function of gut bacteria using a multi-omics strategy and rRNA high-throughput technology. We found that OA exerted great effects on gut bacteria, mainly featured in heavy fluctuation of dominant genera and significant changes in the mapped bacterial function genes, including not only virulence genes of pathogenic bacteria, but also bacterial metabolism genes. In the feces of the OA-exposed group, we detected dinophysistoxin-2 (DTX-2), lespedezaflavanone F and tolytoxin, suggesting that OA could be transformed into other metabolites like DTX-2. Other metabolic biomarkers such as N-Acetyl-a-neuraminic acid, N,N-dihydroxy-L-tyrosine, nalbuphine, and coproporphyrin I and III were also highly correlated with OA content, which made the toxicity of OA more complicated and confusing. Spearman correlation test demonstrated that Bacteroides and Romboutsia were the genera most related to OA transformation, suggesting that Bacteroides and Romboutsia might play a key role in the complicated and confusing toxicity of OA. In this study, we found for the first time that OA may be converted into other metabolites in gut, especially DTX-2. This finding could not only help to reveal the complex toxicity of OA, but also have important significance for clarifying the transportation, metabolism, and environmental fate of OA in the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yu-Hu Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Da-Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Hong-Ye Li
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Wei-Dong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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8
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Liberti A, Natarajan O, Atkinson CGF, Sordino P, Dishaw LJ. Reflections on the Use of an Invertebrate Chordate Model System for Studies of Gut Microbial Immune Interactions. Front Immunol 2021; 12:642687. [PMID: 33717199 PMCID: PMC7947342 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.642687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The functional ecology of the gastrointestinal tract impacts host physiology, and its dysregulation is at the center of various diseases. The immune system, and specifically innate immunity, plays a fundamental role in modulating the interface of host and microbes in the gut. While humans remain a primary focus of research in this field, the use of diverse model systems help inform us of the fundamental principles legislating homeostasis in the gut. Invertebrates, which lack vertebrate-style adaptive immunity, can help define conserved features of innate immunity that shape the gut ecosystem. In this context, we previously proposed the use of a marine invertebrate, the protochordate Ciona robusta, as a novel tractable model system for studies of host-microbiome interactions. Significant progress, reviewed herein, has been made to fulfill that vision. We examine and review discoveries from Ciona that include roles for a secreted immune effector interacting with elements of the microbiota, as well as chitin-rich mucus lining the gut epithelium, the gut-associated microbiome of adults, and the establishment of a large catalog of cultured isolates with which juveniles can be colonized. Also discussed is the establishment of methods to rear the animals germ-free, an essential technology for dissecting the symbiotic interactions at play. As the foundation is now set to extend these studies into the future, broadening our comprehension of how host effectors shape the ecology of these microbial communities in ways that establish and maintain homeostasis will require full utilization of "multi-omics" approaches to merge computational sciences, modeling, and experimental biology in hypothesis-driven investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assunta Liberti
- Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Ojas Natarajan
- Morsani College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Children’s Research Institute, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
| | - Celine Grace F. Atkinson
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Children’s Research Institute, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Paolo Sordino
- Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Larry J. Dishaw
- Morsani College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Children’s Research Institute, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
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9
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Gazo I, Gomes IDL, Savy T, Besnardeau L, Hebras C, Benaicha S, Brunet M, Shaliutina O, McDougall A, Peyrieras N, Dumollard R. High-content analysis of larval phenotypes for the screening of xenobiotic toxicity using Phallusia mammillata embryos. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 232:105768. [PMID: 33592501 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.105768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, pollution of surface waters with xenobiotic compounds became an issue of concern in society and has been the object of numerous studies. Most of these xenobiotic compounds are man-made molecules and some of them are qualified as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) when they interfere with hormones actions. Several studies have investigated the teratogenic impacts of EDCs in vertebrates (including marine vertebrates). However, the impact of such EDCs on marine invertebrates is much debated and still largely obscure. In addition, DNA-altering genotoxicants can induce embryonic malformations. The goal of this study is to develop a reliable and effective test for assessing toxicity of chemicals using embryos of the ascidian (Phallusia mammillata) in order to find phenotypic signatures associated with xenobiotics. We evaluated embryonic malformations with high-content analysis of larval phenotypes by scoring several quantitative and qualitative morphometric endpoints on a single image of Phallusia tadpole larvae with semi-automated image analysis. Using this approach we screened different classes of toxicants including genotoxicants, known or suspected EDCs and nuclear receptors (NRs) ligands. The screen presented here reveals a specific phenotypic signature for ligands of retinoic acid receptor/retinoid X receptor. Analysis of larval morphology combined with DNA staining revealed that embryos with DNA aberrations displayed severe malformations affecting multiple aspects of embryonic development. In contrast EDCs exposure induced no or little DNA aberrations and affected mainly neural development. Therefore the ascidian embryo/larval assay presented here can allow to distinguish the type of teratogenicity induced by different classes of toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ievgeniia Gazo
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Observatoire Océanologique, 06230 Villefranche sur-mer, France; University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic.
| | - Isa D L Gomes
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Observatoire Océanologique, 06230 Villefranche sur-mer, France
| | - Thierry Savy
- BioEmergences Laboratory, CNRS USR 3695, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Lydia Besnardeau
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Observatoire Océanologique, 06230 Villefranche sur-mer, France
| | - Celine Hebras
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Observatoire Océanologique, 06230 Villefranche sur-mer, France
| | - Sameh Benaicha
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Observatoire Océanologique, 06230 Villefranche sur-mer, France
| | - Manon Brunet
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Observatoire Océanologique, 06230 Villefranche sur-mer, France
| | - Olena Shaliutina
- University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Alex McDougall
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Observatoire Océanologique, 06230 Villefranche sur-mer, France
| | - Nadine Peyrieras
- BioEmergences Laboratory, CNRS USR 3695, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Rémi Dumollard
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Observatoire Océanologique, 06230 Villefranche sur-mer, France
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10
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Carazo A, Mladěnka P, Pávek P. Marine Ligands of the Pregnane X Receptor (PXR): An Overview. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17100554. [PMID: 31569349 PMCID: PMC6836225 DOI: 10.3390/md17100554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor which binds many structurally different molecules. The receptor is able to regulate the expression of a wide array of genes and is involved in cancer and different key physiological processes such as the metabolism of drugs/xenobiotics and endogenous compounds including lipids and carbohydrates, and inflammation. Algae, sponges, sea squirts, and other marine organisms are some of the species from which structurally new molecules have been isolated that have been subsequently identified in recent decades as ligands for PXR. The therapeutic potential of these natural compounds is promising in different areas and has recently resulted in the registration of trabectedin by the FDA as a novel antineoplastic drug. Apart from being potentially novel drugs, these compounds can also serve as models for the development of new molecules with improved activity. The aim of this review is to succinctly summarize the currently known natural molecules isolated from marine organisms with a proven ability to interact with PXR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Carazo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové 500 05, Czech Republic.
| | - Přemysl Mladěnka
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové 500 05, Czech Republic.
| | - Petr Pávek
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové 500 05, Czech Republic.
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11
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Alarcan J, Barbé S, Kopp B, Hessel-Pras S, Braeuning A, Lampen A, Le Hégarat L, Fessard V. Combined effects of okadaic acid and pectenotoxin-2, 13-desmethylspirolide C or yessotoxin in human intestinal Caco-2 cells. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 228:139-148. [PMID: 31029959 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Lipophilic phycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by phytoplanktonic species. They accumulate in filtering shellfish and can cause human intoxications. Humans can be exposed to combinations of several phycotoxins. The toxicological effects of phycotoxin mixtures on human health are largely unknown. Published data on phycotoxin co-exposure show that okadaic acid (OA) is simultaneously found with pectenetoxin-2 (PTX-2), 13-desmethylspirolide C (also known as SPX-1), or yessotoxin (YTX). Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of three binary mixtures, OA/PTX-2, OA/SPX-1 and OA/YTX on human intestinal Caco-2 cells. A multi-parametric approach for cytotoxicity determination was applied using a high-content analysis platform, including markers for cell viability, oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage. Mixtures effects were analyzed using two additivity mathematical models. Our assays revealed that OA induced cytotoxicity, DNA strand breaks and interleukin 8 release. PTX-2 slightly induced DNA strand breaks, whereas SPX-1 and YTX did not affect the investigated endpoints. The combination of OA with another toxin resulted in reduced toxicity at low concentrations, suggesting antagonistic effects, but in increased effects at higher concentrations, suggesting additive or synergistic effects. Taken together, our results demonstrated that the cytotoxic effects of binary mixtures of lipophilic phycotoxins could not be predicted by additivity mathematical models. In conclusion, the present data suggest that combined effects of phycotoxins may occur which might have the potential to impact on risk assessment of these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimmy Alarcan
- ANSES, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, Fougeres-Laboratory, Toxicology of Contaminants Unit, 10B Rue Claude Bourgelat, 35306, Fougères, France; German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Food Safety, Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Sabrina Barbé
- ANSES, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, Fougeres-Laboratory, Toxicology of Contaminants Unit, 10B Rue Claude Bourgelat, 35306, Fougères, France.
| | - Benjamin Kopp
- ANSES, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, Fougeres-Laboratory, Toxicology of Contaminants Unit, 10B Rue Claude Bourgelat, 35306, Fougères, France.
| | - Stefanie Hessel-Pras
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Food Safety, Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Albert Braeuning
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Food Safety, Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Alfonso Lampen
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Food Safety, Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Ludovic Le Hégarat
- ANSES, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, Fougeres-Laboratory, Toxicology of Contaminants Unit, 10B Rue Claude Bourgelat, 35306, Fougères, France.
| | - Valérie Fessard
- ANSES, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, Fougeres-Laboratory, Toxicology of Contaminants Unit, 10B Rue Claude Bourgelat, 35306, Fougères, France.
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12
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Gomes IDL, Gazo I, Besnardeau L, Hebras C, McDougall A, Dumollard R. Potential roles of nuclear receptors in mediating neurodevelopmental toxicity of known endocrine-disrupting chemicals in ascidian embryos. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 86:1333-1347. [PMID: 31215734 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are molecules able to interfere with the vertebrate hormonal system in different ways, a major one being the modification of the activity of nuclear receptors (NRs). Several NRs are expressed in the vertebrate brain during embryonic development and these NRs are suspected to be responsible for the neurodevelopmental defects induced by exposure to EDCs in fishes or amphibians and to participate in several neurodevelopmental disorders observed in humans. Known EDCs exert toxicity not only on vertebrate forms of marine life but also on marine invertebrates. However, because hormonal systems of invertebrates are poorly understood, it is not clear whether the teratogenic effects of known EDCs are because of endocrine disruption. The most conserved actors of endocrine systems are the NRs which are present in all metazoan genomes but their functions in invertebrate organisms are still insufficiently characterized. EDCs like bisphenol A have recently been shown to affect neurodevelopment in marine invertebrate chordates called ascidians. Because such phenotypes can be mediated by NRs expressed in the ascidian embryo, we review all the information available about NRs expression during ascidian embryogenesis and discuss their possible involvement in the neurodevelopmental phenotypes induced by EDCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isa D L Gomes
- Sorbonne Université/CNRS, Institut de la Mer, UMR7009 Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement, 06230, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | - Ievgeniia Gazo
- South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Lydia Besnardeau
- Sorbonne Université/CNRS, Institut de la Mer, UMR7009 Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement, 06230, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | - Céline Hebras
- Sorbonne Université/CNRS, Institut de la Mer, UMR7009 Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement, 06230, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | - Alex McDougall
- Sorbonne Université/CNRS, Institut de la Mer, UMR7009 Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement, 06230, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | - Rémi Dumollard
- Sorbonne Université/CNRS, Institut de la Mer, UMR7009 Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement, 06230, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
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13
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Marques C, Roberto VP, Granadeiro L, Trindade M, Gavaia PJ, Laizé V, Cancela ML, Fernández I. The xenobiotic sensor PXR in a marine flatfish species (Solea senegalensis): Gene expression patterns and its regulation under different physiological conditions. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 130:187-199. [PMID: 28768576 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2017.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a nuclear receptor belonging to the NR1I sub-family and a known master regulator of xenobiotic metabolism. New roles have been recently proposed in mammals through its activation by vitamin K (VK) such as regulation of glucose metabolism, bone homeostasis, reproduction, neuronal development and cognitive capacities. In marine fish species little is known about PXR and its potential roles. Here, expression patterns of pxr transcripts and conservation of protein domains were determined in the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis), a marine flatfish model species in aquatic ecotoxicology. In addition to a full coding sequence transcript (sspxr1), two variants lacking DNA and/or ligand binding domains (sspxr2 and sspxr3) were also identified. The expression of sspxr1 during early development and in adult tissues was ubiquitous, but highest levels were observed in liver, intestine and skin. Expression was also detected by in situ hybridization in chondrocytes and cells from the granular and inner nuclear layers in three month old fish. Finally, sspxr1 expression was shown to be differentially regulated under physiological conditions related with fasting, VK and warfarin metabolism. The present work provides new and basic knowledge regarding pxr sequence and expression patterns in a marine flatfish species to unveil the potential impact of xenobiotics on marine fish physiology, and will allow a better and more ecosystemic environmental risk assessment of different pollutants over the marine environments with the development of reporter assays using PXR sequences from evolutionary distantly marine species (such as vertebrate and invertebrate marine species).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Marques
- Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Vânia P Roberto
- Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Luís Granadeiro
- Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Marlene Trindade
- Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Paulo J Gavaia
- Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina (DCBM), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Vincent Laizé
- Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - M Leonor Cancela
- Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina (DCBM), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Ignacio Fernández
- Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.
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14
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Newmark H, Dantoft W, Ghazal P. Evolutionary Origin of the Interferon-Immune Metabolic Axis: The Sterol-Vitamin D Link. Front Immunol 2017; 8:62. [PMID: 28232830 PMCID: PMC5298971 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In vertebrate animals, the sterol metabolic network is emerging as a central player in immunity and inflammation. Upon infection, flux in the network is acutely moderated by the interferon (IFN) response through direct molecular and bi-directional communications. How sterol metabolism became linked to IFN control and for what purpose is not obvious. Here, we deliberate on the origins of these connections based on a systematic review of the literature. A narrative synthesis of publications that met eligibility criteria allowed us to trace an evolutionary path and functional connections between cholesterol metabolism and immunity. The synthesis supports an ancestral link between toxic levels of cholesterol-like products and the vitamin D receptor (VDR). VDR is an ancient nuclear hormone receptor that was originally involved in the recognition and detoxification of xenobiotic marine biotoxins exhibiting planar sterol ring scaffolds present in aquatic environments. Coadaptation of this receptor with the acquisition of sterol biosynthesis and IFNs in vertebrate animals set a stage for repurposing and linking a preexisting host-protection mechanism of harmful xenobiotics to become an important regulator in three key interlinked biological processes: bone development, immunity, and calcium homeostasis. We put forward the hypothesis that sterol metabolites, especially oxysterols, have acted as evolutionary drivers in immunity and may represent the first example of small-molecule metabolites linked to the adaptive coevolution and diversification of host metabolic and immune regulatory pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Newmark
- Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK
| | - Widad Dantoft
- Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK
| | - Peter Ghazal
- Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK
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15
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Cruzeiro C, Lopes-Marques M, Ruivo R, Rodrigues-Oliveira N, Santos MM, Rocha MJ, Rocha E, Castro LFC. A mollusk VDR/PXR/CAR-like (NR1J) nuclear receptor provides insight into ancient detoxification mechanisms. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2016; 174:61-69. [PMID: 26921727 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2016.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The origin and diversification of the metazoan endocrine systems represents a fundamental research issue in biology. Nuclear receptors are critical components of these systems. A particular group named VDR/PXR/CAR (NR1I/J) is central in the mediation of detoxification responses. While orthologues have been thoroughly characterized in vertebrates, a sparse representation is currently available for invertebrates. Here, we provide the first isolation and characterization of a lophotrochozoan protostome VDR/PXR/CAR nuclear receptor (NR1J), in the estuarine bivalve the peppery furrow shell (Scrobicularia plana). Using a reporter gene assay, we evaluated the xenobiotic receptor plasticity comparing the human PXR with the S. plana NR1Jβ. Our results show that the molluscan receptor responds to a natural toxin (okadaic acid) in a similar fashion to that reported for other invertebrates. In contrast, the pesticide esfenvalerate displayed a unique response, since it down regulated transactivation at higher concentrations, while for triclosan no response was observed. Additionally, we uncovered lineage specific gene duplications and gene loss in the gene group encoding NRs in protostomes with likely impacts on the complexity of detoxification mechanisms across different phyla. Our findings pave the way for the development of multi-specific sensor tools to screen xenobiotic compounds acting via the NR1I/J group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Cruzeiro
- ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, U. Porto - University of Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto, Portugal.
| | - Mónica Lopes-Marques
- ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, U. Porto - University of Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto, Portugal.
| | - Raquel Ruivo
- CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto, Portugal.
| | - Nádia Rodrigues-Oliveira
- CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto, Portugal.
| | - Miguel M Santos
- CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto, Portugal; FCUP - Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, U. Porto, Portugal.
| | - Maria João Rocha
- ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, U. Porto - University of Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto, Portugal.
| | - Eduardo Rocha
- ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, U. Porto - University of Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto, Portugal.
| | - L Filipe C Castro
- CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto, Portugal; FCUP - Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, U. Porto, Portugal.
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16
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Richter I, Fidler AE. Tunicate pregnane X receptor (PXR) orthologs: Transcript characterization and natural variation. Mar Genomics 2015; 23:99-108. [DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2015.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Revised: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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17
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Detection of marine microalgal biotoxins using bioassays based on functional expression of tunicate xenobiotic receptors in yeast. Toxicon 2015; 95:13-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Revised: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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18
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Richter I, Fidler AE. Marine invertebrate xenobiotic-activated nuclear receptors: their application as sensor elements in high-throughput bioassays for marine bioactive compounds. Mar Drugs 2014; 12:5590-618. [PMID: 25421319 PMCID: PMC4245547 DOI: 10.3390/md12115590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Revised: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing high-throughput assays to screen marine extracts for bioactive compounds presents both conceptual and technical challenges. One major challenge is to develop assays that have well-grounded ecological and evolutionary rationales. In this review we propose that a specific group of ligand-activated transcription factors are particularly well-suited to act as sensors in such bioassays. More specifically, xenobiotic-activated nuclear receptors (XANRs) regulate transcription of genes involved in xenobiotic detoxification. XANR ligand-binding domains (LBDs) may adaptively evolve to bind those bioactive, and potentially toxic, compounds to which organisms are normally exposed to through their specific diets. A brief overview of the function and taxonomic distribution of both vertebrate and invertebrate XANRs is first provided. Proof-of-concept experiments are then described which confirm that a filter-feeding marine invertebrate XANR LBD is activated by marine bioactive compounds. We speculate that increasing access to marine invertebrate genome sequence data, in combination with the expression of functional recombinant marine invertebrate XANR LBDs, will facilitate the generation of high-throughput bioassays/biosensors of widely differing specificities, but all based on activation of XANR LBDs. Such assays may find application in screening marine extracts for bioactive compounds that could act as drug lead compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Richter
- Environmental Technology Group, Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson 7012, New Zealand.
| | - Andrew E Fidler
- Environmental Technology Group, Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson 7012, New Zealand.
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19
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Luckenbach T, Fischer S, Sturm A. Current advances on ABC drug transporters in fish. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2014; 165:28-52. [PMID: 24858718 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2014.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Revised: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Most members of the large ATP-binding cassette (ABC) gene family are transporters involved in substrate translocation across biological membranes. In eukaryotes, ABC proteins functioning as drug transporters are located in the plasma membrane and mediate the cellular efflux of a wide range of organic chemicals, with some transporters also transporting certain metals. As the enhanced expression of ABC drug transporters can confer multidrug resistance (MDR) to cancers and multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) to organisms from polluted habitats, these ABC family members are also referred to as MDR or MXR proteins. In mammals, ABC drug transporters show predominant expression in tissues involved in excretion or constituting internal or external body boundaries, where they facilitate the excretion of chemicals and their metabolites, and limit chemical uptake and penetration into "sanctuary" sites of the body. Available knowledge about ABC proteins is still limited in teleost fish, a large vertebrate group of high ecological and economic importance. Using transport activity measurements and immunochemical approaches, early studies demonstrated similarities in the tissue distribution of ABC drug transporters between teleosts and mammals, suggesting conserved roles of the transporters in the biochemical defence against toxicants. Recently, the availability of teleost genome assemblies has stimulated studies of the ABC family in this taxon. This review summarises the current knowledge regarding the genetics, functional properties, physiological function, and ecotoxicological relevance of teleostean ABC transporters. The available literature is reviewed with emphasis on recent studies addressing the tissue distribution, substrate spectrum, regulation, physiological function and phylogenetic origin of teleostean ABC transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till Luckenbach
- Department of Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephan Fischer
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; Department of Environmental Systems Sciences, ETH Zürich, Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Armin Sturm
- Institute of Aquaculture, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK.
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20
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Kittler K, Fessard V, Maul R, Hurtaud-Pessel D. CYP3A4 activity reduces the cytotoxic effects of okadaic acid in HepaRG cells. Arch Toxicol 2014; 88:1519-26. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-014-1206-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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21
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Yang C, Li Q, Li Y. Targeting nuclear receptors with marine natural products. Mar Drugs 2014; 12:601-35. [PMID: 24473166 PMCID: PMC3944506 DOI: 10.3390/md12020601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2013] [Revised: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) are important pharmaceutical targets because they are key regulators of many metabolic and inflammatory diseases, including diabetes, dyslipidemia, cirrhosis, and fibrosis. As ligands play a pivotal role in modulating nuclear receptor activity, the discovery of novel ligands for nuclear receptors represents an interesting and promising therapeutic approach. The search for novel NR agonists and antagonists with enhanced selectivities prompted the exploration of the extraordinary chemical diversity associated with natural products. Recent studies involving nuclear receptors have disclosed a number of natural products as nuclear receptor ligands, serving to re-emphasize the translational possibilities of natural products in drug discovery. In this review, the natural ligands of nuclear receptors will be described with an emphasis on their mechanisms of action and their therapeutic potentials, as well as on strategies to determine potential marine natural products as nuclear receptor modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center of Cell Biology Research, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Qianrong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center of Cell Biology Research, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Yong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center of Cell Biology Research, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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22
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Bainy ACD, Kubota A, Goldstone JV, Lille-Langøy R, Karchner SI, Celander MC, Hahn ME, Goksøyr A, Stegeman JJ. Functional characterization of a full length pregnane X receptor, expression in vivo, and identification of PXR alleles, in zebrafish (Danio rerio). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2013; 142-143:447-57. [PMID: 24121122 PMCID: PMC3873750 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2013.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2013] [Revised: 09/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The pregnane X receptor (PXR) (nuclear receptor NR1I2) is a ligand activated transcription factor, mediating responses to diverse xenobiotic and endogenous chemicals. The properties of PXR in fish are not fully understood. Here we report on cloning and characterization of full-length PXR of zebrafish, Danio rerio, and pxr expression in vivo. Initial efforts gave a cDNA encoding a 430 amino acid protein identified as zebrafish pxr by phylogenetic and synteny analysis. The sequence of the cloned Pxr DNA binding domain (DBD) was highly conserved, with 74% identity to human PXR-DBD, while the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of the cloned sequence was only 44% identical to human PXR-LBD. Sequence variation among clones in the initial effort prompted sequencing of multiple clones from a single fish. There were two prominent variants, one sequence with S183, Y218 and H383 and the other with I183, C218 and N383, which we designate as alleles pxr*1 (nr1i2*1) and pxr*2 (nr1i2*2), respectively. In COS-7 cells co-transfected with a PXR-responsive reporter gene, the full-length Pxr*1 (the more common variant) was activated by known PXR agonists clotrimazole and pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile but to a lesser extent than the full-length human PXR. Activation of full-length Pxr*1 was only 10% of that with the Pxr*1 LBD. Quantitative real time PCR analysis showed prominent expression of pxr in liver and eye, as well as brain and intestine of adult zebrafish. The pxr was expressed in heart and kidney at levels similar to that in intestine. The expression of pxr in liver was weakly induced by ligands for mammalian PXR or constitutive androstane receptor (NR1I3). The results establish a foundation for PXR studies in this vertebrate model. PXR allelic variation and the differences between the full-length PXR and the LBD in reporter assays have implications for assessing the action of PXR ligands in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afonso C D Bainy
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA; Departamento de Bioquímica, CCB, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil
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23
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Petrie M, Lynch KL, Ekins S, Chang JS, Goetz RJ, Wu AHB, Krasowski MD. Cross-reactivity studies and predictive modeling of "Bath Salts" and other amphetamine-type stimulants with amphetamine screening immunoassays. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2013; 51:83-91. [PMID: 23387345 DOI: 10.3109/15563650.2013.768344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The increasing abuse of amphetamine-like compounds presents a challenge for clinicians and clinical laboratories. Although these compounds may be identified by mass spectrometry-based assays, most clinical laboratories use amphetamine immunoassays that have unknown cross-reactivity with novel amphetamine-like drugs. To date, there has been a little systematic study of amphetamine immunoassay cross-reactivity with structurally diverse amphetamine-like drugs or of computational tools to predict cross-reactivity. METHODS Cross-reactivities of 42 amphetamines and amphetamine-like drugs with three amphetamines screening immunoassays (AxSYM(®) Amphetamine/Methamphetamine II, CEDIA(®) amphetamine/Ecstasy, and EMIT(®) II Plus Amphetamines) were determined. Two- and three-dimensional molecular similarity and modeling approaches were evaluated for the ability to predict cross-reactivity using receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS Overall, 34%-46% of the drugs tested positive on the immunoassay screens using a concentration of 20,000 ng/mL. The three immunoassays showed differential detection of the various classes of amphetamine-like drugs. Only the CEDIA assay detected piperazines well, while only the EMIT assay cross-reacted with the 2C class. All three immunoassays detected 4-substituted amphetamines. For the AxSYM and EMIT assays, two-dimensional molecular similarity methods that combined similarity to amphetamine/methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethampetamine most accurately predicted cross-reactivity. For the CEDIA assay, three-dimensional pharmacophore methods performed best in predicting cross-reactivity. Using the best performing models, cross-reactivities of an additional 261 amphetamine-like compounds were predicted. CONCLUSIONS Existing amphetamines immunoassays unevenly detect amphetamine-like drugs, particularly in the 2C, piperazine, and β-keto classes. Computational similarity methods perform well in predicting cross-reactivity and can help prioritize testing of additional compounds in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Petrie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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24
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Zanette J, Jenny MJ, Goldstone JV, Parente T, Woodin BR, Bainy ACD, Stegeman JJ. Identification and expression of multiple CYP1-like and CYP3-like genes in the bivalve mollusk Mytilus edulis. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2013; 128-129:101-12. [PMID: 23277104 PMCID: PMC3846546 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2012.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2012] [Revised: 11/16/2012] [Accepted: 11/22/2012] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Various sequencing projects over the last several years have aided the discovery of previously uncharacterized invertebrate sequences, including new cytochrome P450 genes (CYPs). Here we present data on the identification and characterization of two CYP1-like and three CYP3-like genes from the bivalve mollusk Mytilus edulis, and assess their potential as biomarkers based on their responses to several known vertebrate aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonists. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure CYP transcript levels in digestive gland, labial palps, adductor muscle, gill, foot, and different regions of the mantle. Levels of both CYP1-like genes were highest in digestive gland, whereas labial palps had the highest expression levels of the three CYP3-like genes followed by digestive gland and outer margin of the mantle. Mussels were exposed by injection to the AHR agonists, β-naphthoflavone (BNF; 25 μg g(-1)), 3,3',4,4',5-polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB126; 2 μg g(-1)), or 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ; 0.1 μg g(-1)), or to Aroclor 1254 (a mixture of PCBs; 50 μg g(-1)) for 24 h, followed by CYP expression analysis. There was no statistically significant change in expression of either of the CYP1-like genes after exposure to the various AHR agonists. The CYP3-like-1 gene was significantly up-regulated by BNF in gill tissues and the CYP3-like-2 gene was up-regulated in digestive gland by PCB126 and in gill tissue by BNF. These results suggest that distinct mechanisms of CYP gene activation could be present in M. edulis, although the importance of the CYP1-like and CYP3-like genes for xenobiotic and endogenous lipids biotransformation requires additional investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliano Zanette
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA 02543
- Biochemistry Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis SC, Brazil
| | - Matthew J. Jenny
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA 02543
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa AL 35487
| | - Jared V. Goldstone
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA 02543
| | - Thiago Parente
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA 02543
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Bruce R. Woodin
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA 02543
| | - Afonso C. D. Bainy
- Biochemistry Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis SC, Brazil
| | - John J. Stegeman
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA 02543
- Correspondence to: John J. Stegeman, Biology Department, MS 32, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA USA 02543,
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