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Characterization of the molecular differential responses in marine benthic macroinvertebrates exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Authors:
Amarachi Paschaline Onyena at Nigeria Maritime University Okerenkoko
Amarachi Paschaline Onyena
  • Nigeria Maritime University Okerenkoko
Cathrine Sumathi Manohar at National Institute of Oceanography
Cathrine Sumathi Manohar
Joseph Nkwoji at University of Lagos
Joseph Nkwoji
Lucian Obinna Chukwu at University of Lagos
Lucian Obinna Chukwu
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Abstract and Figures

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic chemicals that can induce oxidative stress, genotoxicity, immunotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and developmental toxicity and are carcinogenic. Marine benthic macroinvertebrates are used as biomarkers for elucidating the level of environmental pollution due to their sedentary nature and ability to accumulate toxic compounds over an extended period. Antioxidant defence systems in macroinvertebrates protect cells from reactive oxygen species formed during oxidative stress, and they also counteract the effect of the pollutants through various physiological adaptations and differential expression of specific enzymes. A literature review on molecular studies on various marine benthic macroinvertebrates phyla was evaluated to understand their response to different PAH exposures. Literature shows that genomic tools can define toxicant-specific gene transcriptome variations, which can be utilized to identify the principal pathways that are affected. The review addresses analytical methods, similarities, and differences in antioxidant enzymes and the expression of various genes studied. The comprehensive analysis of literature reveals that several studies have explored the responses of organisms to PAH pollution; this included genes such as CYP450s, GST, SOD, GPx, CAT, and HSPs. Numerous studies have consistently demonstrated notable up-regulations in these genes, establishing their characterization as PAH-sensitive genes, highlighting the critical role played by them for cellular defence and detoxification mechanisms. PAHs can affect organisms depending on exposure time, kind, matrix, and pollutant dose. Benthic macroinvertebrates are robust bioindicators for PAH assessments; thus, environmental risk assessments need a standardized quality and assurance methodology for contamination exposures and biomarker interpretation.
Monitoring approaches to study the impact of PAH pollution on benthic macroinvertebrates
Monitoring approaches to study the impact of PAH pollution on benthic macroinvertebrates
… 
Schematic representation of the impact of PAH pollution on marine macroinvertebrates
Schematic representation of the impact of PAH pollution on marine macroinvertebrates
… 
Key significant findings of the molecular responses in benthic macroinvertebrates to PAH pollution. CYP450s Cytochrome P450s, EROD ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase, ABC ATP-binding cassette, Nrf2 nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2, Keap1 kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1, GPX glutathione peroxidase, CAT catalase, SOD superoxide dismutase, GST glutathione S-transferase activity, Clq Complement C1q-like protein 4, HSP Heat shock protein, MRP3 Multidrug resistance protein 3, NQO1 NADH dehydrogenase 1, ATRX transcriptional regulator ATRX-like isoform X2, E3 E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, Hif-α hypoxia-inducible factor, CBR carbonylreductase, AKPs aldo–keto reductase family 1 member B10-like, Lac 1 laccase 1, MDA Malondialdehyde, PCr Protein carbonyl, AChE acetylcholinesterase, CPB Cathepsin b, NDUFA13 NADH:Ubiquinone Oxidoreductase Subunit A13, Colla- α collagen α, UBQ ubiquitin, VTG vitellogenin, Oncog Oncogenes, BPA Bisphenol A, NP nonylphenol, EE Ethynylestradiol, TAK1 TGFbeta Activated Kinase 1, TCF4 Transcription Factor 4, CASP3/7/8 Caspase, 3/7/8, SKP 19 Skeletogenic 19, MT6 Metallothionein 6, CLEC C-type lectin, Endo16 Calcium-binding protein, Ars arylsulfatase, VEGF Vascular endothelial growth factor, T-AOC total antioxidant capacity, Lys Lysozyme, GSH glutathione, TLR toll-like receptor, MSDH methylmalonate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase
Key significant findings of the molecular responses in benthic macroinvertebrates to PAH pollution. CYP450s Cytochrome P450s, EROD ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase, ABC ATP-binding cassette, Nrf2 nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2, Keap1 kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1, GPX glutathione peroxidase, CAT catalase, SOD superoxide dismutase, GST glutathione S-transferase activity, Clq Complement C1q-like protein 4, HSP Heat shock protein, MRP3 Multidrug resistance protein 3, NQO1 NADH dehydrogenase 1, ATRX transcriptional regulator ATRX-like isoform X2, E3 E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, Hif-α hypoxia-inducible factor, CBR carbonylreductase, AKPs aldo–keto reductase family 1 member B10-like, Lac 1 laccase 1, MDA Malondialdehyde, PCr Protein carbonyl, AChE acetylcholinesterase, CPB Cathepsin b, NDUFA13 NADH:Ubiquinone Oxidoreductase Subunit A13, Colla- α collagen α, UBQ ubiquitin, VTG vitellogenin, Oncog Oncogenes, BPA Bisphenol A, NP nonylphenol, EE Ethynylestradiol, TAK1 TGFbeta Activated Kinase 1, TCF4 Transcription Factor 4, CASP3/7/8 Caspase, 3/7/8, SKP 19 Skeletogenic 19, MT6 Metallothionein 6, CLEC C-type lectin, Endo16 Calcium-binding protein, Ars arylsulfatase, VEGF Vascular endothelial growth factor, T-AOC total antioxidant capacity, Lys Lysozyme, GSH glutathione, TLR toll-like receptor, MSDH methylmalonate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase
… 
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Vol.: (0123456789)
1 3
Aquat Ecol (2024) 58:263–288
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-023-10064-4
Characterization ofthemolecular differential responses
inmarine benthic macroinvertebrates exposed topolycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons
AmarachiP.Onyena · CathrineS.Manohar ·
JosephA.Nkwoji· LucianO.Chukwu
Received: 15 May 2023 / Accepted: 14 September 2023 / Published online: 29 September 2023
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2023
genomic tools can define toxicant-specific gene tran-
scriptome variations, which can be utilized to identify
the principal pathways that are affected. The review
addresses analytical methods, similarities, and differ-
ences in antioxidant enzymes and the expression of
various genes studied. The comprehensive analysis
of literature reveals that several studies have explored
the responses of organisms to PAH pollution; this
included genes such as CYP450s, GST, SOD, GPx,
CAT, and HSPs. Numerous studies have consistently
demonstrated notable up-regulations in these genes,
establishing their characterization as PAH-sensitive
genes, highlighting the critical role played by them
for cellular defence and detoxification mechanisms.
PAHs can affect organisms depending on exposure
time, kind, matrix, and pollutant dose. Benthic mac-
roinvertebrates are robust bioindicators for PAH
assessments; thus, environmental risk assessments
need a standardized quality and assurance method-
ology for contamination exposures and biomarker
interpretation.
Keywords Biomarkers· Ecotoxicity· Stress
response· Environmental pollution· Crude oil·
Petroleum products
Introduction
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), com-
monly described as polyaromatic hydrocarbons or
Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
are organic chemicals that can induce oxidative stress,
genotoxicity, immunotoxicity, endocrine disruption,
and developmental toxicity and are carcinogenic.
Marine benthic macroinvertebrates are used as bio-
markers for elucidating the level of environmental
pollution due to their sedentary nature and ability
to accumulate toxic compounds over an extended
period. Antioxidant defence systems in macroinver-
tebrates protect cells from reactive oxygen species
formed during oxidative stress, and they also coun-
teract the effect of the pollutants through various
physiological adaptations and differential expression
of specific enzymes. A literature review on molecular
studies on various marine benthic macroinvertebrates
phyla was evaluated to understand their response
to different PAH exposures. Literature shows that
Handling Editor : S.S.S. Sarma
A.P.Onyena· C.S.Manohar(*)
Biological Oceanography Division, CSIR-National
Institute ofOceanography, DonaPaula, Goa, India
e-mail: cathrine@nio.org
A.P.Onyena· J.A.Nkwoji· L.O.Chukwu
Department ofMarine Sciences, Faculty ofScience,
University ofLagos, Lagos, LagosState, Nigeria
A.P.Onyena
Department ofMarine Environment andPollution Control,
Faculty ofMarine Environmental Management, Nigeria
Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta, DeltaState,
Nigeria
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
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