Transcriptomic response of Arabidopsis thaliana roots to naproxen and praziquantel

Exposition to pharmaceutical compounds released to the environment is considered as a potential risk for various organisms. We exposed Arabidopsis thaliana plants to naproxen (NAP) and praziquantel (PZQ) in 5 µM concentration for 2 days and recorded transcriptomic response in their roots with the aim to estimate ecotoxicity and to identify gene candidates potentially involved in metabolism of both compounds. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug NAP up-regulated 105 and down-regulated 29 genes (p-value ≤ 0.1, fold change ≥ 2), while anthelmintic PZQ up-regulated 389 and down-regulated 353 genes with more rigorous p-value ≤ 0.001 (fold change ≥ 2). High number of up-regulated genes coding for heat shock proteins and other genes involved in response to biotic and abiotic stresses as well as down-regulation of genes involved in processes such as cell proliferation, transcription and water transport indicates serious negative effect of PZQ. NAP up-regulated mostly genes involved in various biological processes and signal transduction and down-regulated mainly genes involved in signal transduction and electron transport or energy pathways. Further, two cytochrome P450s (demethylation) and one methyltransferase (methylation of carboxyl group) were identified as candidates for phase I and several glutathione- and glycosyltransferases (conjugation) for phase II of NAP metabolism. Cytochrome P450s, glutathione and glycosyltransferases seem to play role also in metabolism of PZQ. Up-regulation of several ABC and MATE transporters by NAP and PZQ indicated their role in transport of both compounds.