Transcriptome Analysis of Deoxynivalenol (DON)-Induced Hepatic and Intestinal Toxicity in Zebrafish: Insights into
Feng Yao1, Miaomiao Zhao1, Yaowen Du1
1College of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China.
Abstract:
The effects of deoxynivalenol (DON, 50 µg/mL) on the zebrafish liver and intestine were studied. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from mRNA and lncRNA were analyzed by RNA seq. Gene Ontology (GO) and signaling pathways were studied where the top 30 DEGs of each type of RNA were involved. The results showed there were 2325 up-regulated and 934 down-regulated DEGs of lncRNA in the intestinal tract, and 95 up-regulated genes and 211 down-regulated genes in the liver, respectively. GO functional annotation analysis showed that lncRNA was enriched in the biological processes, involving the RNA splicing, CSF1-CSF1R complexes, and MAP kinase activity. DEGs of lncRNA located in the KEGG signal pathways include the C-type lectin receptor signaling and the NOD-like receptor signaling pathways. Metabolism involves the biosynthesis of indole alkaloids, cancer pathways for human disease, MAPK and Rap1signaling pathways for environmental information processing, necroptosis and focal adhesion for cell processes. The mRNA gene expression analysis showed there were 1939 up-regulated, 1172 down-regulated genes and 866 up-regulated, 1211 down-regulated genes in the intestine and liver of zebrafish, respectively. This study provides transcriptome analysis and toxicological investigation of DON in the zebrafish liver and intestine, offering insights into gene expression patterns and potential detoxification pathways.
Insights
Deoxynivalenol (DON) significantly alters gene expression in zebrafish liver and intestine. This study reveals widespread changes in long non-coding RNA and messenger RNA, impacting key biological pathways.
Area of Science:
- Toxicogenomics
- Zebrafish models
- Molecular toxicology
Background:
- Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a prevalent mycotoxin with known adverse effects.
- Understanding DON's impact on aquatic organisms is crucial for environmental and food safety.
- Zebrafish offer a valuable model for studying toxicological mechanisms due to their genetic similarity to mammals and rapid development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transcriptomic effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) exposure on zebrafish liver and intestine.
- To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in response to DON.
- To elucidate the biological processes and signaling pathways affected by DON toxicity.
Main Methods:
- RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was employed to analyze both mRNA and lncRNA expression profiles.
- Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was performed to annotate the functions of identified DEGs.
- Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis was utilized to map affected signaling routes.
Main Results:
- DON exposure led to significant alterations in lncRNA expression, with thousands of up- and down-regulated DEGs in the intestine and hundreds in the liver.
- mRNA analysis revealed substantial numbers of up- and down-regulated genes in both zebrafish organs.
- GO analysis indicated enrichment in processes such as RNA splicing and MAP kinase activity, while KEGG pathways included C-type lectin receptor and NOD-like receptor signaling.
Conclusions:
- DON significantly impacts gene expression in zebrafish liver and intestine at both mRNA and lncRNA levels.
- The findings provide insights into DON's toxicological mechanisms and potential detoxification pathways.
- This transcriptomic analysis highlights the utility of zebrafish in toxicological investigations of mycotoxins.
