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Characterization of vitellogenin concentration in male fathead minnow mucus compared to plasma, and liver mRNA
Citation:
See, Mary Jean, D. Bencic, R. Flick, Jim Lazorchak, AND A. Biales. Characterization of vitellogenin concentration in male fathead minnow mucus compared to plasma, and liver mRNA. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 236:113428, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113428
Impact/Purpose:
His work supports the use of fathead minnow mucus coat as a sample source for monitoring vitellogenin protein expression. Vitellogenin is a biomarker of male fish exposure to estrogenic compounds. Vitellogenin messenger RNA and protein expression are compared and contrasted here highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each for environmental monitoring.
Description:
The objective of this study was to characterize vitellogenin (VTG) protein in male fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) mucus compared with more conventional measures in plasma and mRNA isolated from liver. To assess the intensity and duration of changes in mucus VTG concentrations, male fathead minnows were exposed to 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) for 7 days with a subsequent depuration period of 14 days. The experiment was conducted in a flow-through system to maintain a consistent concentration of EE2 at a nominal EC50 concentration of 2.5 ng/L and high concentration of 10 ng/L as a positive control. Mucus, plasma and liver were sampled at regular intervals throughout the study. Relative abundance of vtg mRNA increased after 2 days of exposure and returned to control levels after 4 days of depuration. VTG protein concentration displayed similar induction kinetics in both mucus and plasma, however, it was found to be significantly increased after 2 days of exposure using the mucus-based assays and 7 days with the plasma-based assay. Significantly elevated levels of VTG were detected by both assays throughout the 14-day depuration period. The elimination of the laborious plasma collection step in the mucus-based workflow allowed sampling of smaller organisms where blood volume is limiting. It also resulted in significant gains in workflow efficiency, decreasing sampling time without loss of performance.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Characterization of vitellogenin concentration in male fathead minnow mucus compared to plasma, and liver mRNA
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35366562/