Applying genotoxicology tools to identify environmental stressors in support of river management. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oberholster, Paul J.; Hill, Liesl; Jappie, Shaamiela; Truter, Johannes C.; Botha, Anna-Maria
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 144(2016)
• Page Start: 319
• Page End: 329
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Genotoxicity -- Bioassays -- Genetic signatures -- Physa acuta -- Anthropogenic contaminants; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.08.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Although bioassay approaches are useful for identifying chemicals of potential concern, they provide little understanding of the mechanisms of chemical toxicity. Without this understanding, it is difficult to address some of the key challenges that currently face aquatic ecotoxicology. To overcome this, the toxicity potential of the water samples was assessed and surviving organisms ( Physa acuta ) were used for protein activity measurements and gene expression profiling by making use of complementary DNA amplified fragment length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP) analysis. From the data it was evident that the impacts of specific pollutants (e.g. sewage) on organisms at the cellular level could be identified, and that the expressed stressor genes can be used as bioindicators/markers/genetic signatures or fingerprints during identification of point source pollution. From an ecosystem management point of view these insights could assist with the forecasting and reduction of environmental risks on catchment level by implementing suitable management interventions. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Genotoxity indicators provided support for molluscs to be suitable genetic models for pollution. Significant increase in ROS enzyme activity was observed after exposure to water. Changes in transcript profiles after exposure of molluscs to water from different impacted sites. Exposure to water impacted by mining and industry induced metal-protein related transcripts. Up-regulation of SEN and p53 supported the results obtained with transcript profiling. Abstract : Findings identified pollutant impacts on organisms at cellular level and demonstrated the use of expressed genes as bioindicators during identification of point source pollution.