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Metabolic Profile Analysis of Zebrafish Embryos
Published on: January 14, 2013
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Transcriptomic Changes in Zebrafish Embryos and Larvae Following Benzo[a]pyrene Exposure.
Xiefan Fang1, Jone Corrales2, Cammi Thornton2
1*Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610;
Summary
Early life exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) significantly alters gene expression and splicing in developing zebrafish. These transcriptomic changes indicate potential long-term health deficits and developmental toxicities.
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Developmental biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting compound with known adverse health effects.
- Previous research indicated BaP alters DNA methylation in developing zebrafish, suggesting impacts on gene expression.
- Understanding BaP's molecular mechanisms is crucial for assessing developmental toxicity risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform a genome-wide transcriptional analysis in developing zebrafish exposed to BaP.
- To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and genes with differential exon usage (DEU) at early developmental stages.
- To elucidate the molecular pathways affected by BaP exposure and their link to developmental toxicities.
Main Methods:
- Zebrafish embryos and larvae were exposed to BaP via water.
- RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed at 3.3 and 96 hours post-fertilization (hpf).
- Bioinformatic analyses identified DEGs and DEU genes, followed by pathway enrichment analysis using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis.
Main Results:
- At 3.3 hpf, BaP exposure led to 8 DE genes and 51 DEU genes.
- By 96 hpf, BaP exposure significantly altered 1153 DE genes and 159 DEU genes.
- Enriched pathways included organismal death, growth failure, abnormal embryonic tissue morphology, congenital heart disease, and adverse neuritogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Early life BaP exposure induces substantial transcriptomic alterations at gene, transcript variant, and exon levels in zebrafish.
- These molecular changes provide insights into the mechanisms underlying BaP-induced developmental toxicities.
- The identified transcriptomic changes suggest potential for long-term adverse physiological consequences.
