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Updated: Nov 21, 2025
Ecotoxicological Methodologies to Evaluate Biomarkers at Different Scales in Neotropical Anurans
Published on: April 28, 2023
Search for potential biomarkers for saxitoxin detection
Alejandra A Rivera1, Ambbar Aballay-González2, Ana Teresa Gonçalves3
1Centro de Investigación Oceanográfica COPAS Sur-Austral, Universidad de Concepción, Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepción, Chile; Laboratorio de Biotoxinas de la Universidad de Concepción (LBTx-UdeC), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanografía, Departamento de Oceanografía, Universidad de Concepción, Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepción, Chile.
This study identifies 10 new gene markers for detecting saxitoxin (STX) in complex samples. These markers, including Nup35 and Fgf-1, show consistent expression changes, paving the way for improved STX toxin screening methods.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Saxitoxin (STX) detection assays face challenges with complex sample matrices due to interfering toxins.
- The Neuro-2a cell assay is a potential in vitro method for STX detection but requires matrix interference mitigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify reliable gene expression markers for STX detection in Neuro-2a cells, unaffected by complex sample matrices.
- To evaluate transcriptional modulation in Neuro-2a cells upon STX exposure under varying matrix conditions.
Main Methods:
- Neuro-2a cells were exposed to STX under three conditions: STX alone, mussel meat matrix, and STX-fortified matrix.
- RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was employed to analyze differential gene expression.
- Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to validate the expression dynamics of candidate marker genes.
Main Results:
- Out of 9487 genes analyzed, 213 were differentially expressed; 10 were identified as potential STX markers.
- Candidate genes (e.g., Nup35, Zfr-2, Fgf-1) showed consistent regulation by STX, independent of the sample matrix.
- Nup35 and Zfr-2 expression was downregulated, while Fgf-1 was upregulated, indicating a direct STX response.
Conclusions:
- The identified genes (Fgf-1, Adgrb2, Tfpt, Zfr2, Nup 35, Fam195a, Dusp7) show promise as biomarkers for STX detection.
- These biomarkers offer a potential solution for developing robust STX screening methods in complex biological samples.
