Protein differential expression induced by endocrine disrupting compounds in a terrestrial isopod

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) have been studied due to their impact on human health and increasing awareness of their impact on wildlife species. Studies concerning the organ-specific molecular effects of EDC in invertebrates are important to understand the mechanisms of action of this class of toxicants but are scarce in the literature. We have used a dose/response approach to unravel the protein expression in different organs of isopods exposed to bisphenol A (BPA) and vinclozolin (Vz) and assess their potential use as surrogate species. Male isopods were exposed to a range of Vz or of BPA concentrations. After animal dissection, proteins were extracted from gut, hepatopancreas and testes. Protein profiles were analysed by electrophoresis and differentially expressed proteins were identified by MALDI mass spectrometry. EDCs affected proteins involved in the energy metabolism (arginine kinase), proteins of the heat shock protein family (Hsp70 and GRP78) and most likely microtubule dynamics (tubulin). Different proteins expressed at different concentrations in different organs are indicative of the organ-specific effects of BPA and Vz. Additionally, several proteins were up-regulated at lower but not higher BPA or Vz concentrations, bringing new data to the non-monotonic response curve controversy. Furthermore, our findings suggest that some common responses to EDCs in both vertebrates and invertebrates may exist.