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Chiral PCB 91 and 149 Toxicity Testing in Embryo and Larvae (Danio rerio): Application of Targeted Metabolomics via
Tingting Chai1,2, Feng Cui2, Zhiqiang Yin1
1Institute of Quality Standards &Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Key Laboratory of Agro-product Quality and Safety, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Agri-food Quality and Safety, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China.
Abstract:
In this study, we aimed to investigate the dysfunction of zebrafish embryos and larvae induced by rac-/(+)-/(-)- PCB91 and rac-/(-)-/(+)- PCB149. UPLC-MS/MS (Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) was employed to perform targeted metabolomics analysis, including the quantification of 22 amino acids and the semi-quantitation of 22 other metabolites. Stereoselective changes in target metabolites were observed in embryos and larvae after exposure to chiral PCB91 and PCB149, respectively. In addition, statistical analyses, including PCA and PLS-DA, combined with targeted metabolomics were conducted to identify the characteristic metabolites and the affected pathways. Most of the unique metabolites in embryos and larvae after PCB91/149 exposure were amino acids, and the affected pathways for zebrafish in the developmental stage were metabolic pathways. The stereoselective effects of PCB91/149 on the metabolic pathways of zebrafish embryos and larvae suggest that chiral PCB91/149 exposure has stereoselective toxicity on the developmental stages of zebrafish.
Insights
Chiral polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) like PCB91 and PCB149 cause stereoselective toxicity in zebrafish embryos and larvae. Metabolomics revealed significant changes in amino acids and metabolic pathways, impacting development.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Developmental Biology
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants with known toxic effects.
- Chirality of PCBs can influence their environmental fate and biological activity.
- Zebrafish embryos and larvae are valuable models for studying developmental toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the stereoselective toxicity of chiral PCB91 and PCB149 on zebrafish embryos and larvae.
- To identify specific metabolic changes and affected pathways induced by PCB exposure.
- To understand the impact of PCB chirality on developmental toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Targeted metabolomics using Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS).
- Quantification of 22 amino acids and semi-quantitation of 22 other metabolites.
- Statistical analyses including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA).
Main Results:
- Stereoselective alterations in metabolite levels were observed in zebrafish embryos and larvae exposed to chiral PCB91 and PCB149.
- Amino acids were identified as the most affected metabolites.
- Metabolic pathways were significantly impacted, indicating disruption of core biological processes.
Conclusions:
- Chiral PCB91 and PCB149 exhibit stereoselective toxicity during zebrafish development.
- PCB exposure alters amino acid metabolism and other metabolic pathways in a chirality-dependent manner.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering PCB chirality in toxicological assessments.
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