Identification of Proteomic Signatures of Exposure to Marine Pollutants in Mussels (Mytilus edulis)

Molecular fingerprint of gilthead seabream physiology in response to pollutant mixtures in the wild

The increase in trace element concentrations in the aquatic environment due to anthropogenic activities, urges the need for their monitoring and potential toxicity, persistence, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification at different trophic levels. Gilthead seabream is a species of commercial importance in the Mediterranean Sea, both for the aquaculture and fisheries sectors, however very little is known about their trace element contamination accumulation and the resulting effect on their health status. In the present study, 135 juveniles were collected from seven coastal lagoons known to be essential nursery areas for this species. We measured seventeen different inorganic contaminants at the individual level in fish muscle (namely Al, As, Be, Bi, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Li, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sr, Ti, Tl and Zn). Our results revealed the accumulation of multiple trace elements in individuals and distinct contamination signatures between lagoons which might lead to contrasted quality as nurseries for juveniles of numerous ecologically and economically relevant fish species in addition to seabreams. We further evaluated the potential adverse effect of these complex contamination mixtures on the liver (the main organ implicated in the metabolism of xenobiotics) and red muscle (a highly metabolic organ) using a proteomic approach. Alterations in cellular organization pathways and protein transport were detected in both tissues (albeit they were not similarly regulated). Chromosome organization and telomere maintenance in the liver appeared to be affected by contaminant mixture which could increase mortality, age-related disease risk and shorter lifetime expectancy for these juveniles. Red muscle proteome also demonstrated an upregulation of pathways involved in metabolism in response to contamination which raises the issue of potential energy allocation trade-offs between the organisms' main functions such as reproduction and growth. This study provides new insights into the cellular and molecular responses of seabreams to environmental pollution and proposed biomarkers of health effects of trace elements that could serve as a starting point for larger-scale biomonitoring programs.

Amelioration of rotenone-induced alterations in energy/redox system, stress response and cytoskeleton proteins by octanoic acid in zebrafish: A proteomic study

Rotenone is used to generate Parkinson's disease (PD)-like symptoms in experimental animals. Octanoic acid (C8), is the principal fatty acid of medium-chain triglycerides in ketogenic diets. Beneficial effects of ketogenic diets were shown in PD. We applied proteomic methods to reveal the effects of octanoic acid in rotenone toxicity in zebrafish to gain information on the use of ketogenic diets in PD. Zebrafish were exposed to 5 μg/ml rotenone and octanoic acid (20 and 60 mg/ml) for 30 days. LC-MS/MS analysis was performed. Raw files were analyzed by Proteome Discoverer 2.4 software, peptide lists were searched against Danio rerio proteins. STRING database was used for protein annotations or interactions. 2317 unique proteins were quantified, 302 proteins were differentially expressed. Proteins involved in cell organization, biogenesis, transport, response to stimulus were most frequently expressed. Our study is first to report that the alterations in the expressions of proteins related to energy and redox system, stress response, and cytoskeleton proteins caused by rotenone exposure were normalized by octanoic acid treatment in zebrafish.

Toxicity of DDT to the hooded oyster Saccostrea cucullata: Mortality, histopathology and molecular mechanisms as revealed by a proteomic approach

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), a persistent organochlorine pesticide, has been linked to adverse biological effects in organisms. However, there is limited knowledge about its toxic effects on marine organisms and the underlying molecular mechanisms. This study investigated the toxic effects of DDT in the hooded oyster Saccostrea cucullata. The oysters were exposed to DDT at concentrations of 0, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 µg/L for 96 h and the LC₅₀ (96 h) was 891.25 µg/L. Two sublethal concentrations (10 and 100 µg/L) were used to investigate the histopathological effects and the proteome response. Histopathological results showed that DDT caused the alteration of mantle tissue. This included the induction of mucocytes in the epithelium and the inflammatory effect in the connective tissue indicated by the enlargement of blood sinus and hemocyte aggregation within the sinus. Proteomic results showed that, amongst approximately 500 protein spots that were detected across 2DE gels, 51 protein spots were differentially expressed (P < 0.01; fold change > 1.2). Of these, 29 protein spots were identified by LC-MS/MS. These included 23 up-regulated, 5 down-regulated and 1 fluctuating spots. Thus, we observed that stress response and cytoskeletal proteins are the central targets of DDT action. Furthermore, DDT alters the expression of proteins involved in energy metabolism, calcium homeostasis and other proteins of unknown function. Additionally, proteomic results clearly elucidated the molecular response of the histopathological changes which were driven by the alteration of cytoskeletal proteins. Our results improve the current knowledge of toxicity of the DDT to histology and molecular response of oyster proteome to DDT exposure. In addition, histopathological changes will be beneficial for the development of an appropriate guideline for health assessment of this species in ecotoxicological context.

Molecular response of a sub-antarctic population of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis platensis) to a moderate thermal stress

The Kerguelen Islands (49°26'S, 69°50'E) represent a unique environment due to their geographical isolation, which protects them from anthropogenic pollution. The ability of the endemic mussel, part of the Mytilus complex, to cope with moderate heat stress was explored using omic tools. Transcripts involved in six major metabolic functions were selected and the qRT-PCR data indicated mainly changes in aerobic and anaerobic energy metabolism and stress response. Proteomic comparisons revealed a typical stress response pattern with cytoskeleton modifications and elements suggesting increased energy metabolism. Results also suggest conservation of protein homeostasis by the long-lasting presence of HSP while a general decrease in transcription is observed. The overall findings are consistent with an adaptive response to moderate stresses in mussels in good physiological condition, i.e. living in a low-impact site, and with the literature concerning this model species. Therefore, local blue mussels could be advantageously integrated into biomonitoring strategies, especially in the context of Global Change.

Modeling the metabolic profile of Mytilus edulis reveals molecular signatures linked to gonadal development, sex and environmental site

The monitoring of anthropogenic chemicals in the aquatic environment including their potential effects on aquatic organisms, is important for protecting life under water, a key sustainable development goal. In parallel with monitoring the concentrations of chemicals of concern, sentinel species are often used to investigate the biological effects of contaminants. Among these, bivalve molluscs such as mussels are filter-feeding and sessile, hence an excellent model system for measuring localized pollution. This study investigates the relationship between the metabolic state of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) and its physiology in different environments. We developed a computational model based on a reference site (relatively unpolluted) and integrated seasonal dynamics of metabolite relative concentrations with key physiological indicators and environmental parameters. The analysis of the model revealed that changes in metabolite levels during an annual cycle are influenced by water temperature and are linked to gonadal development. This work supports the importance of data-driven biology and its potential in environmental monitoring.

Effects of elevated temperature on prooxidant-antioxidant homeostasis and redox status in the American oyster: Signaling pathways of cellular apoptosis during heat stress

Increasing seawater temperature affects growth, reproduction, development, and various other physiological processes in aquatic organisms, such as marine invertebrates, which are especially susceptible to high temperatures. In this study, we examined the effects of short-term heat stress (16, 22, 26, and 30 °C for 1-week exposure) on prooxidant-antioxidant homeostasis and redox status in the American oyster (Crassostrea virginica, an edible and commercially cultivated bivalve mollusk) under controlled laboratory conditions. Immunohistochemical and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses were performed to examine the expression of heat shock protein-70 (HSP70, a biomarker of heat stress), catalase (CAT, an antioxidant), superoxide dismutase (SOD, an antioxidant), dinitrophenyl protein (DNP, a biomarker of reactive oxygen species, ROS), and 3-nitrotyrosine protein (NTP, an indicator of reactive nitrogen species, RNS), in the gills and digestive glands of oysters. In situ TUNEL assay was performed to detect cellular apoptosis in tissues. Histological analysis showed an increase in mucus secretion in the gills and digestive glands of oysters exposed to higher temperatures (22, 26, and 30 °C) compared to control (16 °C). Immunohistochemical and qRT-PCR analyses showed significant increases in HSP70, DNP and NTP protein, and mRNA expressions in tissues at higher temperatures. Cellular apoptosis was also significantly increased at higher temperatures. Thus, heat-induced oxidative and nitrative stress likely occur due to overproduction of ROS and RNS. Interestingly, expression of CAT and SOD increased in oysters exposed to 22 and 26 °C, but was at or below control levels in the highest temperature exposure (30 °C). Collectively, these results suggest that elevated seawater temperatures cause oxidative/nitrative stress and induce cellular apoptosis through excessive ROS and RNS production, leading to inhibition of the antioxidant defense system in marine mollusks.

Changes in global protein expression in sea turtle cells exposed to common contaminants indicates new biomarkers of chemical exposure

Non-targeted protein expression at the cellular level can provide insights into mechanistic effects of contaminants in wildlife, and hence new and potentially more accurate biomarkers of exposure and effect. However, this technique has been relatively unexplored in the realm of in vitro biomarker discovery in threatened wildlife, despite the vulnerability of this group of animals to adverse sublethal effects of contaminant exposure. Here we examined the usefulness of non-targeted protein expression for biomarker discovery in green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) by investigating differences in the response of primary cells from five different tissue types that were exposed to three contaminants known to accumulate in this species. Cells derived from C. mydas skin, liver, kidney, ovary and small intestine were exposed to 100 μg/L of either polychlorinated biphenyl 153 (PCB153), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) or phenanthrene for 24 h. The global protein expression was then quantitatively evaluated using sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra (SWATH-MS). Comparison of the global protein profiles revealed that, while a majority of proteins were mutually expressed in controls of all tissue types (~90%), the response to exposure in terms of protein expression strength was significantly different between tissue types. Furthermore, a comparison to known markers of chemical exposure in sea turtles from the literature indicated that in vitro response can reflect known in vivo responses. In particular, markers such as heat shock protein (HSP) 60, glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and superoxide dismutases (SODs), cytochrome P450 and catalase were dysregulated in response to exposure. Furthermore, potential new markers of exposure were discovered such as annexin, an important protein in cell signalling processes. While this methodology proved promising further studies are required to confirm the accuracy of in vitro protein expression as a tool for biomarker discovery in wildlife.

Proteomic analysis and biochemical alterations in marine mussel gills after exposure to the organophosphate flame retardant TDCPP

Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are (re-)emergent environmental pollutants increasingly being used because of the restriction of other flame retardants. The chlorinated OPFR, tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) is among those of highest environmental concern, but its potential effects in the marine environment have rarely been investigated. We exposed a widely used sentinel marine mussel species, Mytilus galloprovincialis, to 10 μg L^-1 of TDCPP during 28 days and studied: (i) the kinetics of bioaccumulation and elimination of the compound, (ii) the effect on two molecular biomarkers, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, and (iii) proteomic alterations in the gills, following an isobaric labeling quantitative shotgun proteomic approach, at two exposure times (7 and 28 days). Uptake and elimination of TDCPP by mussels were very fast, and the bioconcentration factor of this compound in mussels was 147 L kg_ww^-1, confirming that this compound is not very bioaccumulative, as predicted by its chemical properties. GST activity was not affected by TDCPP exposure, but AChE activity was inhibited by TDCPP at both 7 and 28 days of exposure. Proteomic analysis revealed subtle effects of TDCPP in mussel gills, since few proteins (less than 2 % of the analysed proteome) were significantly affected by TDCPP, and effect sizes were low. The most relevant effects detected were the up-regulation of epimerase family protein SDR39U1, an enzyme that could be involved in detoxification processes, at both exposure times, and the down-regulation of receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase N2-like (PTPRN2) after 7 days of exposure, which is involved in neurotransmitter secretion and might be related to the neurotoxicity described for this compound. Exposure time rather than TDCPP exposure was the most important driver of protein abundance changes, with 33 % of the proteome being affected by this factor, suggesting that stress caused by laboratory conditions could be an important confounding factor that needs to be controlled in similar ecotoxicology studies. Proteomic data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD019720.

An integrated omics approach to investigate summer mortality of New Zealand Greenshell™ mussels

BACKGROUND

Green-lipped mussels, commercially known as Greenshell™ mussels (Perna canaliculus Gmelin 1791), contribute > $300 million to New Zealand's aquaculture exports. However, mortalities during summer months and potential pathogenic outbreaks threaten the industry. Thermal stress mechanisms and immunological responses to pathogen infections need to be understood to develop health assessment strategies and early warning systems.

METHODS

P. canaliculus were collected during a mortality event at a commercial aquaculture farm in Firth of Thames, New Zealand. Gill tissues from six healthy and six unhealthy mussels were excised and processed for metabolomic (GC-MS) and label-free proteomic (LC-MS) profiling. Univariate analyses were conducted separately on each data layer, with data being integrated via sparse multiple discriminative canonical correlation analysis. Pathway enrichment analysis was used to probe coordinated changes in functionally related metabolite sets.

RESULTS

Findings revealed disruptions of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and fatty acid metabolism in unhealthy mussels. Metabolomics analyses also indicated oxidative stress in unhealthy mussels. Proteomics analyses identified under-expression of proteins associated with cytoskeleton structure and regulation of cilia/flagellum in gill tissues of unhealthy mussels. Integrated omics revealed a positive correlation between Annexin A4 and CCDC 150 and saturated fatty acids, as well as a negative correlation between 2-aminoadipic acid and multiple cytoskeletal proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates the ability of using integrative omics to reveal metabolic perturbations and protein structural changes in the gill tissues of stressed P. canaliculus and provides new insight into metabolite and protein interactions associated with incidences of summer mortality in this species.

Effects of the brown algae Sargassum horneri and Saccharina japonica on survival, growth and resistance of small sea urchins Strongylocentrotus intermedius

Mass mortality of the long line culture of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius in summer, which is greatly associated with their disease, energy storage and resistant abilities, is the most serious problem for the development of the aquaculture. Here, a feeding experiment was conducted for ~ 9 weeks to investigate the survival, growth and gonadal development of small S. intermedius (~ 3 cm) fed either brown algae Sargassum horneri or Saccharina japonica. Subsequently, we assessed their resistant abilities via observing the behaviors of righting, tube feet extension and Aristotle's lantern reflex at both moderately elevated and acutely changed water temperatures. Sea urchins fed S. horneri showed significantly fewer diseased individuals and slower gonadal development than those fed S. japonica. Consistently, significantly greater Aristotle's lantern reflex occurred in sea urchins fed S. horneri at moderately elevated temperatures. These findings suggest that S. horneri has direct application potential as food for the long line culture of S. intermedius in summer because of the advantage in health, energy storage (avoid the energy loss caused by gonadal development at small body sizes) and resistance abilities. In comparison, sea urchins fed S. japonica outperformed those fed S. horneri for all experimental behaviors under the acutely changed water temperatures. These findings clearly suggest that S. intermedius fed S. japonica is more suitable for the areas with cold water mass in summer, because it can effectively avoid or reduce the negative impacts of acute changes of water temperature on sea urchins. The present study provides valuable information into the management of the long line culture of S. intermedius in summer.

Effects of gold nanoparticles in gilthead seabream-A proteomic approach

Despite the widespread use of nanoparticles (NPs), there are still major gaps of knowledge regarding the impact of nanomaterials in the environment and aquatic animals. The present work aimed to study the effects of 7 and 40 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) - citrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coated - on the liver proteome of the estuarine/marine fish gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). After 96 h, exposure to AuNP elicited alterations on the abundance of 26 proteins, when compared to the control group. AuNPs differentially affected several metabolic pathways in S. aurata liver cells. Among the affected proteins were those related to cytoskeleton and cell structure, gluconeogenesis, amino acids metabolism and several processes related to protein activity (protein synthesis, catabolism, folding and transport). The increased abundance of proteins associated with energy metabolism (ATP synthase subunit beta), stress response (94 kDa glucose-regulated protein) and cytoskeleton structure (actins and tubulins) may represent the first signs of cellular oxidative stress induced by AuNPs. Although higher gold accumulation was found in the liver of S. aurata exposed to 7 nm PVP-AuNPs, the 7 nm cAuNPs were more bioactive, inducing more effects in liver proteome. Gold accumulated more in the spleen than in the other assessed tissues of S. aurata exposed to AuNPs, highlighting its potential role on the elimination of these NPs.

Assessment of fipronil toxicity to the freshwater midge Chironomus riparius: Molecular, biochemical, and organismal responses

Fipronil is a phenylpyrazole insecticide that entered the market to replace organochlorides and organophosphates. Fipronil impairs the regular inhibition of nerve impulses that ultimately result in paralysis and death of insects. Because of its use as a pest control, and due to runoff events, fipronil has been detected in freshwater systems near agricultural areas, and therefore might represent a threat to non-target aquatic organisms. In this study, the toxicity of fipronil to the freshwater midge Chironomus riparius was investigated at biochemical, molecular, and whole organism (e.g. growth, emergence, and behavior) levels. At the individual level, chronic (28 days) exposure to fipronil resulted in reduced larval growth and emergence with a lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) of 0.081 μg L^-1. Adult weight, which is directly linked to the flying performance and fecundity of midges, was also affected (LOEC = 0.040 μg L^-1). Additionally, behavioral changes such as irregular burrowing behavior of C. riparius larvae (EC₅₀ = 0.084 μg L^-1) and impairment of adult flying performance were observed. At a biochemical level, acute (48 h) exposure to fipronil increased cellular oxygen consumption (as indicated by the increase of electron transport system (ETS) activity) and decreased antioxidant and detoxification defenses (as suggested by the decrease in catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities). Exposure to fipronil also caused alterations in the fatty acid profile of C. riparius, since high levels of stearidonic acid (SDA) were observed. A comparison between exposed and non-exposed larvae also revealed alterations in the expression of globins, cytoskeleton and motor proteins, and proteins involved in protein biosynthesis. These alterations may aid in the interpretation of potential mechanisms of action that lead to the effects observed at the organism level. Present results show that environmentally relevant concentrations of fipronil are toxic to chironomid populations which call for monitoring of phenylpyrazole insecticides and of their ecological effects in freshwaters. Present results also emphasize the importance of complementing ecotoxicological data with molecular approaches such as proteomics, for a better interpretation of the mode of action of insecticides in aquatic invertebrates.

Effects of elevated temperature on gonadal functions, cellular apoptosis, and oxidative stress in Atlantic sea urchin Arbacia punculata

Increasing seawater temperature affects growth, reproduction and development in marine organisms. In this study, we examined the effects of elevated temperatures on reproductive functions, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and nitrotyrosine protein (NTP, an indicator of reactive nitrogen species) expressions, protein carbonyl (PC, an indicator of oxidative stress) contents, cellular apoptosis, and coelomic fluid (CF) conditions in Atlantic sea urchin. Sea urchins were housed in six aquaria with control (24 °C) and elevated temperatures (28 °C and 32 °C) for a 7-day period. After exposure, sea urchins exhibited decreased percentages of gametes (eggs/sperm), as well as increased HSP70 and NTP expressions in eggs and spermatogenic cells, increased gonadal apoptosis, and decreased CF pH compared to controls. PC contents were also significantly increased in gonadal tissues at higher temperatures. These results suggest that elevated temperature acidifies CF, increases oxidative stress and gonadal apoptosis, and results in impairment of reproductive functions in sea urchins.

Lymnaea stagnalis as a freshwater model invertebrate for ecotoxicological studies

Lymnaea stagnalis, also referred to as great or common pond snail, is an abundant and widespread invertebrate species colonizing temperate limnic systems. Given the species importance, studies involving L. stagnalis have the potential to produce scientifically relevant information, leading to a better understanding of the damage caused by aquatic contamination, as well as the modes of action of toxicants. Lymnaea stagnalis individuals are easily maintained in laboratory conditions, with a lifespan of about two years. The snails are hermaphrodites and sexual maturity occurs about three months after egg laying. Importantly, they can produce a high number of offspring all year round and are considered well suited for use in investigations targeting the identification of developmental and reproductive impairments. The primary aims of this review were two-fold: i) to provide an updated and insightful compilation of established toxicological measures determined in both chronic and acute toxicity assays, as useful tool to the design and development of future research; and ii) to provide a state of the art related to direct toxicant exposure and its potentially negative effects on this species. Relevant and informative studies were analysed and discussed. Knowledge gaps in need to be addressed in the near future were further identified.

Aquatic organic matter: Classification and interaction with organic microcontaminants

Organic matter (OM) in aquatic system is originated from autochthonous and allochthonous natural sources as well as anthropogenic inputs, and can be found in dissolved, particulate or colloidal form. According to the type/composition, OM can be divided in non-humic substances (NHS) or humic substances (HS). The present review focuses on the main groups that constitute the NHS (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and lignin) and their role as chemical biomarkers, as well as the main characteristics of HS are presented. HS functions, properties and mechanisms are discussed, in addition to their association to the fate, bioavailability, and toxicity of organic microcontaminants in the aquatic systems. Despite the growing diversity and potential impacts of organic microcontaminants to the aquatic environment, limited information is available about their association with OM. A protective effect is, however, normally seen since the presence of OM (HS mainly) may reduce bioavailability and, consequently, the concentration of organic microcontaminants within the organism. It may also affect the toxicity by either absorbing ultraviolet radiation incidence and, then, reducing the formation of phototoxic compounds, or by increasing the oxygen reactive species and, thus, affecting the decomposition of natural and anthropogenic organic compounds. In addition, the outcome data is hard to compare since each study follows unique experimental protocols. The often use of commercial humic acid (Aldrich) as a generic source of OM in studies can also hinder comparisons since differences in composition makes this type of OM not representative of any aquatic environment. Thus, the current challenge is find out how this clear fragmentation can be overcome.

Accumulation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Mussels: A Proteomic Study

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are environmental pollutants of industrial origin that can contaminate food, mainly food of animal origin. Although production of PCBs has been banned in many countries since the 1980s, they are still present in the environment and are considered dangerous pollutants for human health. In fact, they can bioaccumulate in living organisms such as marine organisms because of their chemical and physical properties. New analytical approaches are useful to monitor the presence of such contaminants in seafood products and in the environment. In this work, we evaluate changes in protein expression of Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lam.) experimentally exposed to a PCB mixture and identify chemically specific protein expression signatures by using a proteomic approach. In particular, we identify 21 proteins whose levels of expression are sensibly modified after 3 weeks of exposure. The present work shows that a proteomic approach can be a useful tool to study alterations of protein expression in mussels exposed to PCBs and represents a first step toward the development of screening protocols to be used for biomonitoring surveys of fishery products.

Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis spp.) as sentinel organisms in coastal pollution monitoring: A review

The blue mussel (Mytilus spp.) is widely used as a bioindicator for monitoring of coastal water pollution (mussel watch programs). Herein we provide a review of this study field with emphasis on: the suitability of Mytilus spp. as environmental sentinels; uptake and bioaccumulation patterns of key pollutant classes; the use of Mytilus spp. in mussel watch programs; recent trends in Norwegian mussel monitoring; environmental quality standards and background concentrations of key contaminants; pollutant effect biomarkers; confounding factors; particulate contaminants (microplastics, engineered nanomaterials); climate change; harmonization of monitoring procedures; and the use of deployed mussels (transplant caging) in pollution monitoring. Lastly, the overall state of the art of blue mussel pollution monitoring is discussed and some important issues for future research and development are highlighted.

Enzymatic Processes in Marine Biotechnology

In previous review articles the attention of the biocatalytically oriented scientific community towards the marine environment as a source of biocatalysts focused on the habitat-related properties of marine enzymes. Updates have already appeared in the literature, including marine examples of oxidoreductases, hydrolases, transferases, isomerases, ligases, and lyases ready for food and pharmaceutical applications. Here a new approach for searching the literature and presenting a more refined analysis is adopted with respect to previous surveys, centering the attention on the enzymatic process rather than on a single novel activity. Fields of applications are easily individuated: (i) the biorefinery value-chain, where the provision of biomass is one of the most important aspects, with aquaculture as the prominent sector; (ii) the food industry, where the interest in the marine domain is similarly developed to deal with the enzymatic procedures adopted in food manipulation; (iii) the selective and easy extraction/modification of structurally complex marine molecules, where enzymatic treatments are a recognized tool to improve efficiency and selectivity; and (iv) marine biomarkers and derived applications (bioremediation) in pollution monitoring are also included in that these studies could be of high significance for the appreciation of marine bioprocesses.

Histopathological effect and stress response of mantle proteome following TBT exposure in the Hooded oyster Saccostrea cucullata

Tributyltin (TBT), an environmental pollutant in marine ecosystems, is toxic to organisms. Although contamination by and bioaccumulation and toxicity of this compound have been widely reported, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we exposed the Hooded oyster Saccostrea cucullata to TBT to investigate histopathological effects and proteome stress response. Animals were exposed to three TBT sub-lethal concentrations, 10, 50 and 150 μg/l for 48 h. TBT produced stress leading to histopathological changes in oyster tissues including mantle, gill, stomach and digestive diverticula. TBT induced mucocyte production in epithelia and hemocyte aggregation in connective tissue. Cell necrosis occurred when exposure dosages were high. Comparative proteome analyses of mantle protein of oysters exposed to 10 μg/l and control animals were analyzed by a 2-DE based proteomic approach. In total, 32 protein spots were found to differ (p < 0.05). Of these, 17 proteins were identified which included 14 up-regulated and 3 down-regulated proteins. TBT induced the expression of proteins involved in defensive mechanisms (HSP-78, HSP-70, aldehyde dehydrogenase and catalase), calcium homeostasis (VDAC-3), cytoskeleton and cytoskeleton-associated proteins, energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism. Our study revealed that TBT disturbs calcium homeostasis via VDAC-3 protein in mantle and this probably is the key molecular mechanism of TBT acting to distort shell calcification. Moreover, proteins involved in cell structure (tubulin-alpha and tubulin-beta) and protein synthesis were reduced after TBT exposure. Additionally, differential proteins obtained from this work will be useful as potential TBT biomarkers.

Investigating the emerging role of comparative proteomics in the search for new biomarkers of metal contamination under varying abiotic conditions

This study aims at investigating the potential use of comparative proteomics as a multi-marker approach of metal contamination, taking into account the potential confounding effect of water temperature. The major objective was to identify combinations of proteins specifically responding to a given metal, even if included in a metal mixture. The diagnostic approach was performed via the comparative analysis of protein expression on spot mapping provided by adult males of Gammarus pulex (Amphipoda, Crustacea) respectively exposed to arsenate (As), cadmium (Cd) or a binary mixture of these metals (AsCd) at three realistic temperatures (5, 10 and 15°C). Proteomic expression analysis was performed by Differential in-Gel Electrophoresis (2D-DiGE), and completed by an adapted inferential statistical approach. Combinations of under/over-expressed protein spots discriminated the metal identity. However, none of these spots discriminated both the individual metal effect (As or Cd) and its effect in metal mixture (AsCd) whatever the tested temperature. Some limits of the two-dimensional analysis of protein spot maps in G. pulex have been highlighted: (i) the presence of contaminating peptides and/or abundant "déja-vu" proteins which can mask the responses of other proteins of interest or (ii) the presence of post-translational modifications. An optimization of the experimental design (especially during the sample preparation) has been described for future investigations. This study has also highlighted (i) the importance of precisely identifying the protein spots of interest to avoid erroneous interpretations in terms of action mechanisms of chemicals and (ii) the importance of working under controlled laboratory conditions with a temperature close to 10°C. In such conditions, we have demonstrated a higher impact of As than Cd on the energetic metabolism of Gammarus. This As impact is reduced in AsCd mixture confirming the antagonistic interaction of this binary mixture previously observed on G. pulex mortality at 10°C.

Tralopyril bioconcentration and effects on the gill proteome of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

Antifouling (AF) systems are used worldwide as one of the most cost-effective ways of protecting submerged structures against heavy biofouling. The emergence of environmentally friendly AF biocides requires knowledge on their environmental fate and toxicity. In this study we measured the bioconcentration of the emerging AF biocide tralopyril (TP) in the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and investigated the effects of TP on the mussel gill proteome following acute (2days) and chronic (30days) exposure, as well as after a 10-day depuration period. The experiments were carried out with 1μg/L TP; blank and solvent (5×10(-5)% DMSO) controls were also included. Proteomics analysis was performed by mass spectrometry-based multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT). Differentially expressed proteins were identified using a label-free approach based on spectral counts and G-test. Our results show that TP is rapidly accumulated by mussels at concentrations up to 362ng/g dw (whole tissues), reaching steady-state condition within 13days. Ten days of depuration resulted in 80% elimination of accumulated TP from the organism, suggesting that a complete elimination could be reached with longer depuration times. In total, 46 proteins were found to be regulated in the different exposure scenarios. Interestingly, not only TP but also DMSO alone significantly modulated the protein expression in mussel gills following acute and chronic exposure. Both compounds regulated proteins involved in bioenergetics, immune system, active efflux and oxidative stress, often in the opposite way. Alterations of several proteins, notably several cytoskeletal ones, were still observed after the depuration period. These may reflect either the continuing chemical effect due to incomplete elimination or an onset of recovery processes in the mussel gills. Our study shows that exposure of adult mussels to sublethal TP concentration results in the bioconcentration of this biocide in the tissues and modulates the expression of several proteins that may intervene in important metabolic pathways.

Proteomic and metabolomic analysis on the toxicological effects of Benzo[a]pyrene in pearl oyster Pinctada martensii

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is one of the typical toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are widely present in marine environment. BaP has diverse toxic effects, including teratogenic, carcinogenic, mutagenic effects and so on, in various organisms. In this work, we focused on the differential proteomic and metabolomic responses in the digestive gland of pearl oyster Pinctada martensii exposed to two doses of BaP (1 and 10μg/L). Metabolic responses revealed that the high dose of BaP (10μg/L) mainly caused disturbances in osmotic regulation and energy metabolism in the digestive gland. Proteomic responses indicated that both doses of BaP induced disturbances in energy metabolism, cytoskeleton, cell injury, oxidative stress and signal transduction based on the differential proteomic biomarkers. Overall, these results demonstrated a number of potential biomarkers that were characterized by an integrated proteomic and metabolomic approach and provided a useful insight into the toxicological effects on pearl oyster P. martensii.

Differential proteomic response of Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata) to prolonged environmental stress

Exposure to prolonged environmental stress can have impacts on the cellular homeostasis of aquatic organisms. The current study employed two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) to test whether exposure to impaired water quality conditions in the Sydney Harbour estuary has significantly altered the proteomes of the resident Sydney rock oyster (Saccostrea glomerata). Adult S. glomerata were sampled from four bays in the estuary. Each bay consisted of a "high-impact" site adjacent to point sources of chemical contamination (e.g., storm drains/canals or legacy hotspots) and a "low-impact" site located ∼5km away from point sources. A mixture of environmental stressors differed significantly between high- and low-impact sites. Specifically, PAHs, PCBs, tributyltin, Pb, and Zn were significantly elevated in oyster tissues from high-impact sites, together with depleted dissolved oxygen and low pH in the water column. A 2-DE proteomics analysis subsequently identified 238 protein spots across 24 2-DE gels, of which 27-50 spots differed significantly in relative intensity between high- and low-impact sites per bay. Twenty-five percent of the differential spots were identified in more than one bay. The identities of 80 protein spots were determined by mass spectrometry. HSP 70, PPIB, and radixin were the three most highly expressed differential proteins. Despite the largely unique proteomes evident in each bay, functional annotations revealed that half of the differentially expressed proteins fell into just two subcellular functional categories-energy metabolism and the cytoskeleton. These findings provide a framework to further investigate adaptation of cellular mechanisms to prolonged stress in S. glomerata.

Proteomic changes in Corbicula fluminea exposed to wastewater from a psychiatric hospital

The increase use of pharmaceutical compounds in veterinary practice and human population results in the ubiquitous presence of these compounds in aquatic ecosystems. Because pharmaceuticals are highly bioactive, there is concern about their toxicological effects in aquatic organisms. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of an effluent from a psychiatric hospital (containing a complex mixture of 25 pharmaceutical compounds from eleven therapeutic classes) on the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea using a proteomic approach. The exposure of C. fluminea to this complex effluent containing anxiolytics, analgesics, lipid regulators, beta blockers, antidepressants, antiepileptics, antihistamines, antihypertensives, antiplatelets and antiarrhythmics induced protein changes after 1 day of exposure in clam gills and digestive gland more evident in the digestive gland. These changes included increase in the abundance of proteins associated with structural (actin and tubulin), cellular functions (calreticulin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), T complex protein 1 (TCP1)) and metabolism (aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), alcohol dehydrogenase, 6 phosphogluconate dehydrogenase). Results from this study indicate that calreticulin, PCNA, ALDH and alcohol dehydrogenase in the digestive gland and T complex protein 1 (TCP1)) and 6 phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in the gills represent useful biomarkers for the ecotoxicological characterization of psychiatric hospital effluents in this species.

Toxicological effects of benzo(a)pyrene, DDT and their mixture on the green mussel Perna viridis revealed by proteomic and metabolomic approaches

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) are persistent organic pollutants and environmental estrogens (EEs) with known toxicity towards the green mussel, Perna viridis. In this study, the toxic effects of BaP (10 µg/L) and DDT (10 µg/L) and their mixture were assessed in green mussel gills with proteomic and metabolomic approaches. Metabolic responses indicated that BaP mainly caused disturbance in osmotic regulation by significantly decrease in branched chain amino acids, dimethylamine and dimethylglycine in gills of male green mussels after exposure for 7 days. DDT mainly caused disturbance in osmotic regulation and energy metabolism by differential alteration of betaine, dimethylamine, dimethylglycine, amino acids, and succinate in gills of male green mussels. However, the mixture of BaP and DDT didn't show obvious metabolite changes. Proteomic analysis showed different protein expression profiles between different treatment groups, which demonstrated that BaP, DDT and their mixture may have different modes of action. Proteomic responses revealed that BaP induced cell apoptosis, disturbance in protein digestion and energy metabolism in gills of green mussels, whereas DDT exposure altered proteins that were associated with oxidative stress, cytoskeleton and cell structure, protein digestion and energy metabolism. However, the mixture of BaP and DDT affected proteins related to the oxidative stress, cytoskeleton and cell structure, protein biosynthesis and modification, energy metabolism, growth and apoptosis.

Proteomics and the search for welfare and stress biomarkers in animal production in the one-health context

Stress and welfare are important factors in animal production in the context of growing production optimization and scrutiny by the general public.

Changes in protein expression of pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas exposed in situ to urban sewage

The composition and concentration of substances in urban effluents are complex and difficult to measure. These contaminants elicit biological responses in the exposed organisms. Proteomic analysis is a powerful tool in environmental toxicology by evidencing alterations in protein expression due to exposure to contaminants and by providing a useful framework for the development of new potential biomarkers. The aim of this study was to determine changes in protein expression signatures (PES) in the digestive gland of oysters Crassostrea gigas transplanted to two farming areas (LIS and RIB) and to one area contaminated by sanitary sewage (BUC) after 14 days of exposure. This species is one of the most cultivated molluscs in the world. The identified proteins are related to the cytoskeleton (CKAP5 and ACT2), ubiquitination pathway conjugation (UBE3C), G protein-coupled receptor and signal transduction (SVEP1), and cell cycle/division (CCNB3). CKAP5 showed higher expression in oysters kept at BUC in comparison with those kept at the farming areas, while ACT2, UBE3C, SVEP1, and CCNB3 were suppressed. The results suggest that these changes might lead to DNA damage, apoptosis, and interference with the immune system in oyster C. gigas exposed to sewage and give initial information on PES of C. gigas exposed to sanitary sewage, which can subsequently be useful in the development of more sensitive tools for biomonitoring coastal areas, particularly those devoted mainly to oyster farming activities.

Investigation on the proteome response of transplanted blue mussel (Mytilus sp.) during a long term exposure experiment at differently impacted field stations in the German Bight (North Sea)

In a pilot field study the proteome response of Mytilus sp. was analyzed in relation to the concentration of different trace metal contaminants. Over a period of eight month test organisms have been exposed at a near-shore station in the anthropogenic impacted estuary of the river Elbe and at an off-shore station in the vicinity of the Island of Helgoland in the German Bight (North Sea). The stations differ in their hydrological as well as chemical characteristics. The physiological biomarkers, such as condition index which have been continuously monitored during the experiment clearly indicate the effects of the different environmental conditions. Multiple protein abundance changes were detected utilizing the techniques of two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2dGE) and consequently proteins arising as potential candidates for ecotoxicological monitoring have been identified by MALDI-ToF and ToF/ToF mass spectrometry. Different cytoskeletal proteins, enzymes of energy metabolism, stress proteins and one protein relevant for metal detoxification have been pointed out.

Proteomic profiling of gill GSTs in Mytilus galloprovincialis from the North of Portugal and Galicia evidences variations at protein isoform level with a possible relation with water quality

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are key for xenobiotic detoxification at the molecular level across phyla. These enzymes are therefore likely to be part of the defence mechanisms used by marine organisms, such as mussels, that thrive in highly polluted environments. Taking this hypothesis into account, we used proteomics to characterize the profile of GSTs from the gills of marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in order to discriminate natural mussel populations exposed to different levels of pollution. Samples were collected between Cabo Home (Spain) and Matosinhos (Portugal) covering a north-south transect of approximately 122 Km of the Atlantic Ocean along the Western Coast of the Iberian Peninsula. GSTs from mussel gills were extracted and purified by affinity chromatography with glutathione as the binding substrate to the solid medium. We studied the abundance of GST isoforms by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and assessed total activity. Eleven putative individual GSTs from classes Mu, Pi and Sigma were identified by proteomics. Few variations were observed in total GST activity of post-mitochondrial samples between sampling sites, with animals from Matosinhos (polluted site) showing highest GST activity and Cabo Home (clean site) showing lowest. This contrasts with the increased number of differences in the individual GST isoforms. Each mussel population showed unique GST proteomic profiles. Based on the results we conclude that proteomics surpasses the conventional GST enzymatic activity method to discriminate natural mussel populations and has potential application in environmental monitoring. It is reasonable to suggest that the GST proteomic profiles observed may reflect differences in contamination levels.

[Analysis of proteomic profile changes of zebrafish embryos during exposure to doxorubicin, built-in the phospholipid transport nanosystem]

The proteome profile of Danio rerio embryos grown in the medium containing doxorubicin, included in the phospholipid transport nanosystem (doxolip) has been investigated using combination of 1D-electrophoresis with subsequent MALDI-TOF-PMF mass spectrometry. Cultivation of growing of D. rerio embryos in the medium with doxolip caused a substantial increase in expression of the cytoskeletal proteins, a decrease in the number of nuclear proteins involved in DNA and RNA synthesis and disappearance of vitellogenin 2 in comparison with control (the cultivation medium containing the phospholipid transport nanosystem). Analysis of the proteomic profiles of doxolip-treated embryos suggests lower toxicity of doxorubicin incorporated in the phospholipid nanosystem.

Evaluation and Comparison of Four Protein Extraction Protocols for Mono- and Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis in Mytilus Galloprovincialis

In this study, four protein extraction protocols from Mytilus galloprovincialis were evaluated with the aim to identify the most practical, efficient and reproducible method. Four extraction protocols frequently used for mussels and organic matrices were selected and compared. The methods were based on the use of: i) TRIzol reagent; ii) Lysis buffer; iii) phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride; iv) trichloroacetic acid-acetone. Protein concentration was measured by the Bradford method. Three specimens of mussels were studied and the analysis was conducted in triplicate for each of the four protocols. Results indicated that the four methods could extract significantly different protein profiles. The highest number of protein spots resolved in 2DE gels and the best reproducibility was obtained using trichloroacetic acid-acetone protocol. Results afforded the selection of a suitable extraction protocol to be used for ecotoxicoproteomics studies from mussels and for other proteomic studies conducted by particularly complex tissues such as Mytilus galloprovincialis.

BDE-99 (2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether) triggers epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer cells via PI3K/Akt/Snail signaling pathway

PURPOSE

The gut is in direct contact with BDE-99 (2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether), one of the most abundant PBDE congeners in the environment and in human tissues. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of BDE-99 on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells.

METHODS

The effects of BDE-99 on cell proliferation were measured by CCK-8 assay in the CRC cell line HCT-116. Wound healing and transwell migration/invasion assays were used to test the migration and invasion of CRC cells. Factors related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis for mRNA and protein levels, respectively.

RESULTS

BDE-99 was found to increase migration and invasion and trigger EMT in HCT-116 cells; EMT was characterized by cells acquiring mesenchymal spindle-like morphology and by increased expression of N-cadherin with a concomitant decrease in E-cadherin. BDE-99 treatment also increased the protein and mRNA levels of the transcription factor Snail, but not Slug, Twist, and ZEB1. Knockdown of Snail by siRNA significantly attenuated BDE-99-induced EMT in HCT-116 cells, suggesting that Snail plays a crucial role in BDE-99-induced EMT. The PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002 completely blocked BDE-99-induced Snail and invasion of HCT-116 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results revealed that BDE-99 can trigger the EMT of colon cancer cells via the PI3K/AKT/Snail signaling pathway. This study provides new insight into the tumorigenesis and metastasis of CRC stimulated by BDE-99 and possibly other PBDE congeners.

2,2′,4,4′-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether promotes human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells migration via the GPER/PI3K/Akt signal pathway

Neuroblastoma is the predominant tumor of early childhood. 2,2′,4,4′-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) has the highest concentration among all polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners in human body, particularly for children. Considering that accumulating evidences showed developmental neurotoxicity of PBDE, there is an urgent need to investigate the effects of BDE-47 on the development of neuroblastoma. This study revealed that BDE-47 had limited effects on the cytotoxicity while significantly increased the in vitro migration and invasion of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. This was further confirmed by the results that BDE-47 treatment significantly downregulated the expression of E-cadherin and zona occludin-1 and upregulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Silencing of MMP-9 by specific small interfering RNA significantly abolished the BDE-47-induced migration and invasion of SH-SY5Y cells. Further, the signals G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER)/phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) mediated the BDE-47-induced upregulation of MMP-9 and in vitro migration of SH-SY5Y cells since G15 (GPER inhibitor) and LY 294002 (PI3K/Akt inhibitor) significantly abolished the effects of BDE-47. Our results revealed that BDE-47 significantly triggered the metastasis of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells via upregulation of MMP-9 by the GPER/PI3K/Akt signal pathway. This study revealed for the first time that BDE-47 can promote the migration of SH-SY5Y cells. It also provided a better understanding about the metastasis of human neuroblastoma induced by environmental endocrine disruptors.

2-DE Mapping of the Blue Mussel Gill Proteome: The Usual Suspects Revisited

The Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis, L. 1758) is an ecologically important and commercially relevant bivalve. Because of its ability to bioconcentrate xenobiotics, it is also a widespread sentinel species for environmental pollution, which has been used in ecotoxicological studies for biomarker assessment. Consequently, numerous proteomics studies have been carried out in various research contexts using mussels of the genus Mytilus, which intended to improve our understanding of complex physiological processes related to reproduction, adaptation to physical stressors or shell formation and for biomarker discovery. Differential-display 2-DE proteomics relies on an extensive knowledge of the proteome with as many proteoforms identified as possible. To this end, extensive characterization of proteins was performed in order to increase our knowledge of the Mytilus gill proteome. On average, 700 spots were detected on 2-DE gels by colloidal blue staining, of which 122 different, non-redundant proteins comprising 203 proteoforms could be identified by tandem mass spectrometry. These proteins could be attributed to four major categories: (i) “metabolism”, including antioxidant defence and degradation of xenobiotics; (ii) “genetic information processing”, comprising transcription and translation as well as folding, sorting, repair and degradation; (iii) “cellular processes”, such as cell motility, transport and catabolism; (iv) “environmental information processing”, including signal transduction and signalling molecules and interaction. The role of cytoskeleton proteins, energetic metabolism, chaperones/stress proteins, protein trafficking and the proteasome are discussed in the light of the exigencies of the intertidal environment, leading to an enhanced stress response, as well as the structural and physiological particularities of the bivalve gill tissue.

6-OH-BDE-47 promotes human lung cancer cells epithelial mesenchymal transition via the AKT/Snail signal pathway

Hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs) have been detected in the various human tissues. The OH-PBDEs are suggested to be stronger endocrine-disrupting compounds than PBDEs, therefore the toxicological effects of OH-PBDEs had received lots of attention. However, there is no study about the carcinogenic effect of OH-PBDEs and their estrogen potencies on the tumorigenesis and development of cancer. In the present study, we found that 6-hydroxy-2,2',4',4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (6-OH-BDE-47), the most abundant OH-PBDE congeners in human serum, promoted the in vitro migration of lung cancer A549 and H358 cells by induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). This was confirmed by that 6-OH-BDE-47 significantly down regulated the expression of epithelial markers E-cadherin (E-Cad) and zona occludin-1 (ZO-1) while up regulated the mesenchymal markers vimentin (Vim) and N-cadherin (N-Cad). 6-OH-BDE-47 up regulated the protein while not mRNA levels of Snail, which was the key transcription factor of EMT. Silencing of Snail by use of siRNA attenuated the 6-OH-BDE-47 induced EMT. This suggested that the stabilization of Snail was essential for 6-OH-BDE-47 induced EMT. Further, the treatment of 6-OH-BDE-47 increased the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK in A549 cells. Only PI3K/AKT inhibitor (LY294002), but not ERK inhibitor (PD98059), completely blocked the 6-OH-BDE-47 induced up regulation of Snail and down regulation of E-Cad, suggesting that PI3K/AKT pathway is important for 6-OH-BDE-47-mediated Snail stabilization and EMT in A549 cells. Generally, our results revealed for the first time that 6-OH-BDE-47 promoted the EMT of lung cancer cells via AKT/Snail signals. This suggested that more attention should be paid to the effects of OH-PBDEs on tumorigenesis and development of lung cancer.

Effect of permethrin, anthracene and mixture exposure on shell components, enzymatic activities and proteins status in the Mediterranean clam Venerupis decussata

Anthracene (ANT) and permethrin (PER) are two of the more toxic compounds reaching the marine environment. This study aimed to determine the impact of these molecules on Venerupis decussata, an economically important species cultured on the Tunisian coast. Shell structure and its possible transformation upon exposure to the two contaminants were studied by X-ray diffraction and gravimetric analyses. Results revealed a phase transition in shell composition from aragonite to calcite after PER exposure, to a mixture of PER and ANT (Mix) but not for ANT alone. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione transferase (GST) activities were determined in digestive gland and gills after exposure to ANT, PER and Mix to assess the impact of the contamination on the oxidative status of V. decussata. Enzyme activities increased in the digestive gland after PER treatment and in the gills after ANT treatment. PER exposure significantly reduced the levels of free thiols and increased levels of carbonylated proteins in the digestive gland, as compared to controls. In contrast, ANT exposure significantly reduced free thiols and increased the number of carbonylated proteins in the gills. Mix induced additive effects as measured by both enzymatic and proteomic approaches. The present study suggests that PER has a strong effect on shell structure; that PER and ANT exposure generate compound-dependent oxidative stress in the tissues of V. decussata and that a mixture of the two compounds has synergistic effects on biochemical response.

Combined metabolome and proteome analysis of the mantle tissue from Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas exposed to elevated pCO2

Ocean acidification (OA) has been found to affect an array of normal physiological processes in mollusks, especially posing a significant threat to the fabrication process of mollusk shell. In the current study, the impact of exposure to elevated pCO2 condition was investigated in mantle tissue of Crassostrea gigas by an integrated metabolomic and proteomic approach. Analysis of metabolome and proteome revealed that elevated pCO2 could affect energy metabolism in oyster C. gigas, marked by differentially altered ATP, succinate, MDH, PEPCK and ALDH levels. Moreover, the up-regulated calponin-2, tropomyosins and myosin light chains indicated that elevated pCO2 probably caused disturbances in cytoskeleton structure in mantle tissue of oyster C. gigas. This work demonstrated that a combination of proteomics and metabolomics could provide important insights into the effects of OA at molecular levels.

Next-generation proteomics: toward customized biomarkers for environmental biomonitoring

Because of their ecological representativeness, invertebrates are commonly employed as test organisms in ecotoxicological assessment; however, to date, biomarkers employed for these species were the result of a direct transposition from vertebrates, despite deep evolutionary divergence. To gain efficiency in the diagnostics of ecosystem health, specific biomarkers must be developed. In this sense, next-generation proteomics enables the specific identification of proteins involved in key physiological functions or defense mechanisms, which are responsive to ecotoxicological challenges. However, the analytical investment required restricts use in biomarker discovery. Routine biomarker validation and assays rely on more conventional mass spectrometers. Here, we describe how proteomics remains a challenge for ecotoxicological test organisms because of the lack of appropriate protein sequences databases, thus restricting the analysis on conserved and ubiquitous proteins. These limits and some strategies used to overcome them are discussed. These new tools, such as proteogenomics and targeted proteomics, should result in new biomarkers specific to relevant environmental organisms and applicable to routine ecotoxicological assessment.

Proteomic response of mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to CuO NPs and Cu²⁺: an exploratory biomarker discovery

CuO NPs are one of the most used metal nanomaterials nowadays with several industrial and other commercial applications. Nevertheless, less is known about the mechanisms by which these NPs inflict toxicity in mussels and to what extent it differs from Cu(2+). The aim of this study was to investigate changes in protein expression profiles in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed for 15 days to CuO NPs and Cu(2+) (10 μg L(-1)) using a proteomic approach. Results demonstrate that CuO NPs and Cu(2+) induced major changes in protein expression in mussels' showing several tissue and metal-dependent responses. CuO NPs showed a higher tendency to up-regulate proteins in the gills and down-regulate in the digestive gland, while Cu(2+) showed the opposite tendency. Distinctive sets of differentially expressed proteins were found, either common or specific to each Cu form and tissue, reflecting different mechanisms involved in their toxicity. Fifteen of the differentially expressed proteins from both tissues were identified by MALDI-TOF-TOF. Identified proteins indicate common response mechanisms induced by CuO NPs and Cu(2+), namely in cytoskeleton and cell structure (actin, α-tubulin, paramyosin), stress response (heat shock cognate 71, putative C1q domain containing protein), transcription regulation (zinc-finger BED domain-containing protein 1, nuclear receptor subfamily 1G) and energy metabolism (ATP synthase F0 subunit 6). CuO NPs alone also had a marked effect on other biological processes, namely oxidative stress (GST), proteolysis (cathepsin L) and apoptosis (caspase 3/7-1). On the other hand, Cu(2+) affected a protein associated with adhesion and mobility, precollagen-D that is associated with the detoxification mechanism of Cu(2+). Protein identification clearly showed that the toxicity of CuO NPs is not solely due to Cu(2+) dissolution and can result in mitochondrial and nucleus stress-induced cell signalling cascades that can lead to apoptosis. While the absence of the mussel genome precluded the identification of other proteins relevant to clarify the effects of CuO NPs in mussels' tissues, proteomics analysis provided additional knowledge of their potential effects at the protein level that after confirmation and validation can be used as putative new biomarkers in nanotoxicology.

Using ordination and clustering techniques to assess multimetric fish health response following a coal ash spill

The effect of coal ash exposure on fish health in freshwater communities is largely unknown. Given the large number of possible pathways of effects (e.g., toxicological effect of exposure to multiple metals, physical effects from ash exposure, and food web effects), measurement of only a few health metrics is not likely to give a complete picture. The authors measured a suite of 20 health metrics from 1100+ fish collected from 5 sites (3 affected and 2 reference) near a coal ash spill in east Tennessee over a 4.5-yr period. The metrics represented a wide range of physiological and energetic responses and were evaluated simultaneously using 2 multivariate techniques. Results from both hierarchical clustering and canonical discriminant analyses suggested that for most species × season combinations, the suite of fish health indicators varied more among years than between spill and reference sites within a year. In a few cases, spill sites from early years in the investigation stood alone or clustered together separate from reference sites and later year spill sites. Outlier groups of fish with relatively unique health profiles were most often from spill sites, suggesting that some response to the ash exposure may have occurred. Results from the 2 multivariate methods suggest that any change in the health status of fish at the spill sites was small and appears to have diminished since the first 2 to 3 yr after the spill.

Difference gel electrophoresis DIGE

Proteomics offers powerful technologies to assist in the discovery of targets for novel therapeutic agents, by allowing the investigation of changes in protein state between control and diseased tissue and biofluids. Difference gel electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry (DIGE/MS) is a technology used within proteomics that has demonstrated technical robustness and associated statistical confidence to enable successful identification of therapeutic targets.:

Identification of differentially expressed genes in the digestive gland of manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum exposed to BDE-47

Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was used to identify alterations in gene transcription of the manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum after exposure to 5μg/L 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) for 15days. The ability to accumulate BDE-47 in digestive gland and gill was also evaluated in order to provide information for food safety. Analysis of tissue extracts indicated that digestive gland had the higher BDE-47 levels (12,463.1±1334.8 ng/g d.w.) compared to gill (6368.6±738.7ng/g d.w.) after a 15-day exposure period. Forward and reverse SSH libraries were made from pooled digestive glands of R. philippinarum, from which 75 high quality sequences were obtained by BLAST analysis. The expression of 39 genes with significant homology (E-value<10(-5)) out of the 75 sequences was investigated by quantitative RT-PCR. Among the 39 genes, 27 genes were found up-regulated while 12 genes were found down-regulated after the BDE-47 exposure. The 39 genes were involved in cellular cycle, cytoskeleton, substance and energy metabolism, stress response, innate immunity and cell signaling and transport which were extensively discussed. This study provides a preliminary basis for studying the response of marine bivalves upon exposure to PBDEs in terms of regulated gene expression.

Effects of dechlorane plus on the hepatic proteome of juvenile Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis)

Dechlorane Plus (DP), an alternative to decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209), is a widely used polychlorinated flame retardant that is frequently detected in aquatic ecosystems. While the mechanisms of toxicity of BDE-209 have been well documented, less is known about the toxicity of DP. In this study, juvenile Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) were treated with DP at doses of 1, 10, and 100mg/kg wet weight for 14 days via a single intraperitoneal injection (i.p.). After 14 days, liver proteomes of juvenile Chinese sturgeon were analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) coupled matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS). A total of 39 protein spots were significantly altered in abundance (>2-fold) and of these proteins, 27 were successfully identified. Proteins related to the stress response that included heat shock cognate protein 70 and T-complex protein 1 were significantly increased and decreased in abundance, respectively. Moreover, Ras-related protein Rab-6B and GDP dissociation inhibitor 2, proteins that are involved in small G-protein signal cascades, were decreased in abundance 2- to 5-fold. Annexin A4, which is associated with Ca(2+) signaling pathways, was also markedly decreased by 2-fold in the liver. Pathway analysis of differentially regulated proteins revealed that DP interfered with metabolism and was associated with proteins related to apoptosis and cell differentiation. Based upon protein responses, we suggest that DP has effects on the generalized stress response, small G-protein signal cascades, Ca(2+) signaling pathway, and metabolic process, and may induce apoptosis in the liver. This study offers novel mechanistic insight into the protein responses induced in the liver with DP, an increasingly used and understudied flame retardant.