Genetic ecotoxicology II: population genetic structure in mosquitofish exposed in situ to radionuclides

In 1977, approximately 250 mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) from a relatively uncontaminated site (Crystal Springs) were transplanted into a small pond on the Department of Energy Oak Ridge Reservation which is heavily contaminated with radionuclides (Pond 3513). Starting in 1992, DNA polymorphism was evaluated using the RAPD (Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA) and allozyme genotype techniques to determine if genetic differentiation had occurred between the two populations. Fish from a second radionuclide-contaminated population (White Oak Lake) and another unrelated non-contaminated population (Wolf Creek) were also examined. For the RAPD analyes, 15 RAPD primers (from a total of 40) were found to produce polymorphic banding patterns in at least two of the four populations and subsequently were used to produce a total of 142 bands. Data generated by these RAPD primers indicated an increased genetic diversity in radionuclide-contaminated sites relative to reference sites. Furthermore, the patterns from six RAPD primers produced a higher average number of bands when using DNA from radionuclide- contaminated populations than from non-contaminated, and for three RAPD primers the average number of bands from radionuclide- contaminated populations was lower. In addition, 17 bands occurred at a higher frequency in the radionuclide-contaminated compared to the non-contaminated populations. For the allozyme analyses, it was found that there was a higher percentage of polymorphism and heterozygosity in the radionuclide-contaminated relative to non-contaminated sites. These findings contribute to our understanding of the evolutionary effects of contaminant exposure as well as to the development of population-level biomarkers     

Genetic ecotoxicology I: DNA integrity and reproduction in mosquitofish exposed in situ to radionuclides

Female mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) were collected from two sites located on the US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge Reservation that are contaminated with 137Cs, 90Sr, other radionuclides and chemical genotoxicants. Fish from non- radionuclide contaminated environments located off the reservation were also collected. DNA, extracted from liver tissue and blood cells, was examined by gel electrophoresis for structural damage in the form of strand breakage. In general, the level of DNA strand breaks was elevated in fish from radionuclide-contaminated sites with observed differences in the number and type of strand breaks between liver tissue and blood cells. The number of malformed embryos was higher in fish at the contaminated sites, and varied with season. Fecundity was negatively correlated with the level of double strand breaks in the DNA of fish from one contaminated site. Females with broods that included malformed embryos had more DNA strand breakage than those that did not; and furthermore, a threshold effect was observed between the occurrence of malformed embryos and the presence of double strand breaks in the DNA of the mother. These findings have implications for both ecological risk assessment and evolutionary ecology     

DNA damage in cichlids from an oil production facility in Guatemala

This study focused on several wetlands in Laguna del Tigre National Park (Guatemala) as part of Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program. Sediment and water samples were collected from a laguna near Xan field, Guatemala’s largest oil facility, and three other sites for determination of levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Cichlid fish (Thorichthys meeki and Vieja synspila) were collected for determination of DNA strand breakage (by gel electrophoresis), chromosomal breakage (flow cytometry), and fin erosion. For T. meeki from Xan field, chromosomal breakage and strand breakage was greater than in at least two of the three reference sites. For V. synspila, chromosomal breakage and strand breakage were greater in Xan than one of the two reference sites. Fin erosion was observed only at the Xan laguna. Genetic biomarker effects and fin erosion, along with patterns of aqueous PAH concentrations, indicate that fish are affected by anthropogenic contaminants. PAHs were elevated at some reference sites, but environmental forensic analysis suggested a pyrogenic or diagenic origin. It is possible that oil field brines injected into the ground water caused fin erosion and genotoxicity in fish at Xan field, and it is also possible that pyrogenic PAHs influence levels of DNA damage in reference sites. These analyses represent one of the first efforts to examine genotoxicity in native Mesoamerican cichlids.     

Randomly distributed DNA single strand breaks are not lethal for mammalian cells

1. The primary objective of this study was to assess whether randomly distributed DNA single strand breaks result in cytotoxicity. 2. The experimental approach was exposure of cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells to hydroxyl radicals generated either by X-rays (via water radiolysis) or from H2O2 (via the Fenton reaction). 3. An excellent inverse correlation was observed with X-rays: the higher the level of DNA breakage, the lower the cloning efficiency of the cells. 4. In the case of H2O2 the same correlation was found, however, single strand breaks produced by this agent appeared less toxic than those generated by X-irradiation. 5. Since considerable evidence indicates DNA damage as the major cause of X-ray-and H2O2-induced lethality, it is concluded that randomly distributed single strand breaks have hardly any effect in cell killing.     

Molecular Characterization of Contaminant-Indicative RAPD Markers

This paper describes genetic markers which can be used to study selection and genetic adaptation of organisms to radionuclide and other types of contaminant stress. Previous research using the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique has identified several markers which revealed genetic differences between contaminated and reference western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) populations. Experimental evidence suggested that these markers may be associated with loci involved in determining relative fitness in radionuclide-contaminated environments ("contaminant-indicative markers"). In the present study, Southern blot analyses show these markers to be highly conserved in DNA sequence and molecular length in sea urchins, mosquitofish, herring gulls and humans. Such conservation is thought to be rare among RAPD bands. Results of DNA sequencing efforts did not provide definitive evidence as to the identity of these loci, but indicated that short segments (<40 bp) of known DNA sequences were homologous to various regions of the RAPD sequences. Furthermore, the regions of homology seemed to be non-randomly distributed along the length of the RAPD markers. Although the identity of these bands is still unknown, the high degree of conservatism suggests that these loci might play an important role in molecular processes.     

Estimating the DNA strand breakage using a fuzzy inference system and agarose gel electrophoresis,a case study with toothed carp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphanius sophiae</Emphasis> exposed to cypermethrin

The DNA breakage has been widely used in ecotoxicological studies to investigate effects of pesticides in fishes. The present study used a fuzzy inference system to quantify the breakage of DNA double strand in Aphanius sophiae exposed to the cypermethrin. The specimens were adapted to different temperatures and salinity for 14 days and then exposed to cypermethrin. DNA of each specimens were extracted, electrophoresed and photographed. A fuzzy system with three input variables and 27 rules were defined. The pixel value curve of DNA on each gel lane was obtained using ImageJ. The DNA breakage was quantified using the pixel value curve and fuzzy system. The defuzzified values were analyzed using a three-way analysis of variance. Cypermethrin had significant effects on DNA breakage. Fuzzy inference systems can be used as a tool to quantify the breakage of double strand DNA. DNA double strand of the gill of A. sophiae is sensitive enough to be used to detect cypermethrin in surface waters in concentrations much lower than those reported in previous studies.     

Randomly Distributed DNA Single Strand Breaks are not Lethal for Mammalian Cells

1. The primary objective of this study was to assess whether randomly distributed DNA single strand breaks result in cytotoxicity.

2. The experimental approach was exposure of cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells to hydroxyl radicals generated either by X-rays (via water radiolysis) or from H₂O₂ (via the Fenton reaction).

3. An excellent inverse correlation was observed with X-rays: the higher the level of DNA breakage, the lower the cloning efficiency of the cells.

4. In the case of H₂O₂ the same correlation was found, however, single strand breaks produced by this agent appeared less toxic than those generated by X-irradiation.

5. Since considerable evidence indicates DNA damage as the major cause of X-ray- and H₂O₂-induced lethality, it is concluded that randomly distributed single strand breaks have hardly any effect in cell killing.     

Application of the comet and micronucleus assays to the detection of B[a]P genotoxicity in haemocytes of the green-lipped mussel (Perna viridis)

Green-lipped mussels (Perna viridis) were exposed to water-borne benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) at nominal concentrations of 0, 0.3, 3 and 30 microg l(-1) for up to 12 days, and both the relative levels of DNA strand breaks (assessed using an alkaline comet assay) and the proportion of micronucleus (MN) formation were monitored in mussel haemocytes at days 0, 1, 3, 6 and 12. The results of the comet assay indicated that an increase in the proportion of strand breaks occurred generally with increasing B[a]P concentration, but a significant decrease in the levels of DNA damage was observed after exposure for 12 days at all concentrations tested, suggesting that the patterns of changes in the levels of DNA strand breakage can be explained by the threshold dependent DNA repair theory. Moreover, the relatively slow development and recovery of the DNA damage response in mussel haemocytes in comparison with previous findings utilizing P. viridis hepatopancreas suggests that the response of DNA alteration upon exposure to B[a]P may be tissue-specific in this species. Monitoring the frequency of micronucleus development in mussel haemocytes indicated both dose- and time-response relationships within the exposure period. Furthermore, the levels of DNA strand breakage correlated well with the levels of micronucleus induction, suggesting a possible cause and effect relationship between the two damage types. We suggest that DNA strand breakage and micronucleus formation in mussel haemocytes can potentially be used as convenient biomarkers of exposure to genotoxicants in the marine environment.     

Genotoxicity investigation of a cyanobacterial toxin, cylindrospermopsin.

Cylindrospermopsin (CYN), a potent cyanobacterial hepatotoxin produced by Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and other cyanobacteria, is regularly found in water supplies in many parts of the world, and has been associated with the intoxication of humans and livestock. In this study, Balb/c mice were injected via the intraperitoneal (IP) route with a single dose of 0.2 mg/kg CYN. Animals were sacrificed at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. DNA was isolated from the mouse livers, and examined for strand breakage by alkaline gel electrophoresis (pH 12). Significant DNA strand breakage was observed in the mouse liver exposed to CYN, suggesting that induction of DNA strand breakage is probably one of the key mechanisms for CYN genotoxicity.     

Genotoxic effects of 8-hydroxylquinoline in loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) assessed by the micronucleus test,comet assay and RAPD analysis

This study was a preliminary step in evaluating the genotoxic effects of 8-hydroxylquinoline (8-HOQ) in loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) using the micronucleus, comet and RAPD assays. In the micronucleus test and comet assay, the micronuclei rate (%) and three comet parameters (trailing rate, tail length and tail moment) in treated fish increased with increasing 8-HOQ concentration and treatment time. These results showed that exposure to 8-HOQ significantly induced genetic toxicity in loach blood cells. A subsequent RAPD assay also showed that 8-HOQ induced a genotoxic effect in loach. Among the 23 tested RAPD primers, 11 primers produced unique polymorphic band patterns and generated RAPD profile variations that displayed the band intensity, disappearance of bands and appearance of new bands of amplified DNA in the 8-HOQ-treated genomic DNA samples. In addition, the variation in RAPD profiles was time- and concentration-dependent. These results suggested that 8-HOQ is potentially harmful to fish and may be a toxic contaminant in the aquatic environment.     

Genotoxic effects of produced waters in mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis)

The aim of this study was to assess the potential genotoxic effects of produced water (PW) from an Italian on-shore oil plant. Produced water is a complex mixture containing residual hydrocarbons, trace elements, naturally occurring radioactive material and potentially toxic treatment chemicals such as biocides, dispersants, detergents and scale inhibitors used in oil production. The test organism, mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis), was divided into male and female groups and exposed for 8 days in the laboratory to 50% concentrations of different produced waters: PW before treatment and after settling treatment. The fish were also exposed to lower concentrations (10%) of the same PW for 30 days. DNA damage was evaluated in erythrocytes by single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet assay) and micronucleus test, while an oxidative stress biomarker, was assessed. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) metabolites in bile were also evaluated. A higher sensitivity in biomarker responses was found in females in comparison to males. An increase in DNA strand breaks was observed in both genders after 30 days exposure and a statistically significant increase of micronucleated cells was found in females after 8 days exposure. A positive correlation between presence of micronucleated cells and PAH metabolites in bile was also observed.     

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Erythrocyte and Leukocyte DNA in Fish from Chernobyl-Contaminated ponds in the Ukraine

Flow cytometric (FCM) analysis was used to assess the potential impact of chronic radionuclide exposure in fish populations inhabiting contaminated sites in the vicinity of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Four species of fish, channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), crucian carp (Carassius carassius), carp (Cyprinus carpio) and tench (Tinca tinca), were collected within a 10 km radius of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and compared with 'control' populations from two uncontaminated locations far removed from the plant. Assays of whole blood, as well as separate erythrocyte and leukocyte components, revealed aneuploid-like patterns in the DNA histograms of some fish, as well as widened G0/G1 peaks. None of the fish collected from the uncontaminated sites demonstrated these kinds of changes in their DNA histograms. Increases in the coefficient of variation (CV) of the G0/G1 peak, indicating abnormal DNA distributions, were observed in several of the fish from Chernobyl relative to the control populations. Cell cycle perturbation in fish from the contaminated sites was also detected, with a higher percentage of cells in G2/M phase relative to the controls. Leukocytes proved more sensitive than erythrocytes, as they displayed a larger number of abnormal DNA histograms. Variations in the cellular DNA content similar to those reported here have been shown for other vertebrate species exposed to radiation and other genotoxic agents in laboratory and field settings.     

In vitro method for prediction of the phototoxic potentials of fluoroquinolones

The phototoxic potential of eight fluoroquinolones (norfloxacin, ofloxacin, enoxacin, ciprofloxacin, lomefloxacin, tosufloxacin, sparfloxacin and gatifloxacin) was evaluated by using three in vitro methods of cytotoxicity against mammalian cells, erythrocyte lysis and DNA strand breakage. All fluoroquinolones tested with the exception of gatifloxacin, an 8-methoxy quinolone, showed DNA strand breaking activities under UV-A irradiation. Their cytotoxicity against HeLa cells was also enhanced by UV-A irradiation. In particular, the phototoxic potential of sparfloxacin, enoxacin and lomefloxacin was high in both methods. Ofloxacin is very photocytotoxic against HeLa cells, while it has low potential to cause DNA strand breakage. Norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and enoxacin were very photohemolytic, but sparfloxacin was not, indicating that the in vivo phototoxic potencies of fluoroquinolones might not be predictable by the photohemolysis study. Gatifloxacin, a non-phototoxic quinolone, showed no phototoxic potential in any of these three in vitro tests. These results suggest that determination of DNA strand breaking activity, combined with cytotoxicity against mammalian cells, is available to predict the phototoxic potential of fluoroquinolones without laboratory animals.     

Biomarker and bioaccumulation responses of Asian clams exposed to aqueous cadmium

Measured responses of biochemical or physiological indicators have been suggested to reflect thresholds where pollutants exert their initial effect. Responses in cellulolytic enzyme activity and DNA strand breakage of the Asian clam Corbicula fluminea exposed to cadmium in the laboratory were measured and metal body burdens were determined concurrently. Clams were exposed to aqueous cadmium concentrations of 3, 6, 12, or 25 ppb for 23 and 28 d. Cadmium concentrations in clam tissue were highest in lower cadmium treatments, and body burdens increased with length of exposure in only the 28-d experiment. Cellulolytic enzyme activity decreased with increasing cadmium concentrations for clams in the 28-d experiment. Induced enzyme activities were observed in cadmium treatments for both experiments and are thought to precede declines in activity through the length of exposure. Significant reductions in DNA strand lengths of cadmium exposed clams were observed by wk 3 in the 23-d exposure and by wk 2 in the 28-d exposure. Reduced DNA strand lengths in these cadmium treatments for the 28-d exposure precede significant declines in cellulolytic activity at subsequent sampling events. Combining these data with observations of mortality in higher cadmium treatments suggests that impairment of DNA structural integrity and reduced digestive enzyme activity may indicate metal-induced stress in clams.     

Genotoxicity of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin to ICR mouse hepatocytes

Massive application of pesticides had generated a considerable concern in the public. Potentials of chlorpyrifos [O,O-diethyl-O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl) phosphorothionate] and cypermethrin [(RS)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (1RS)-cis-trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate] to induce the excision-repairable DNA damage, DNA strand breakage, and DNA hypomethylation in ICR mouse hepatocytes were investigated. It was showed that chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin didn't increase the incorporation of (3)H-TdR into DNA of ICR mouse hepatocytes but increased the frequency of comet cells and decreased the 5MeC percentage of ICR mouse hepatocytes. In conclusion, chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin induced no excision-repairable DNA damage but led to DNA strand breakage and DNA hypomethylation in ICR mouse hepatocytes.     

Induction of DNA strand breaks by RSU-1069, a nitroimidazole-aziridine radiosensitizer. Role of binding of both unreduced and radiation-reduced forms to DNA, in vitro

[2-14C]-RSU-1069 [1-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-3-(1-aziridino)-2-propanol], either as a parent (unreduced) or following radiation reduction, binds to calf thymus DNA in vitro. Radiation-reduced RSU-1069 binds to a greater extent and more rapidly than the parent compound. RSU-1137, a nonaziridino analogue of RSU-1069, binds following radiation reduction. Radiation-reduced misonidazole (1-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-3-methoxy-2-propanol) exhibits binding ratios a thousand-fold less than those of reduced RSU-1069. There is no evidence for binding of parent misonidazole. Both parent and reduced RSU-1069 cause single strand breaks (ssbs) in pSV2 gpt plasmid DNA with the reduced compound causing a greater number of breaks. Parent and reduced RSU-1137 and misonidazole do not cause ssbs. It is inferred that the aziridine moiety present in both parent and reduced RSU-1069 is required for ssb production. RSU-1069 reacts with inorganic phosphate probably via nucleophilic ring-opening of the aziridine fragment. Incubation of plasmid DNA with reduced RSU-1069 in the presence of either phosphate or deoxyribose-5-phosphate at concentrations greater than 0.35 mol dm-3 prevents strand breakage, whereas 1.2 mol dm-3 deoxyribose does not protect against strand breakage formation. From these findings it is proposed that the observed binding to DNA occurs via the aziridine and the reduced nitro group of RSU-1069 and that these two have different target sites. Binding to DNA via the reduced nitro group may serve to increase aziridine attack due to localization at or near its target.     

Effect of caloric restriction on hepatic nuclear DNA damage in male Fischer 344 rats treated with aflatoxin B1.

Caloric restriction is known to reduce chemically-induced tumor incidence in laboratory animals. The effect is believed to be mediated in part by modification of hepatic drug metabolism, including both phase I and phase II enzymes. Using aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) as a model carcinogen, we studied the effect of caloric restriction on the modification of rat liver nuclear DNA by AFB1 and DNA damage due to the formation of apurinic sites from the AFB1-DNA adduct removal process. Caloric restriction reduced the metabolic activation of AFB1 which resulted in a decrease of AFB1-DNA binding by more than 50%. The results of the study of the effect of caloric restriction on the AFB1-induced DNA strand breakage assayed by the alkaline unwinding technique showed that caloric restriction protected the formation of apurinic sites from the AFB1-DNA adducts and reduced the double strand DNA breakages by 1.3-2.5-fold. Thus, the lower initial AFB1-DNA binding and less DNA damage, presumably by the less apurinic sites formed during the depurination process of AFB1-DNA adducts, contributed to the protective effect of caloric restriction.     

Effect of ultraviolet light on DNA structure in 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine-substituted HSV-1 DNA.

Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) was grown in the presence of 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IdUrd), and the virion-DNA was isolated by isopycnic centrifugation in CsCl. Irradiation of IdUrd-containing HSV DNA with either 302 nm or 254 nm ultraviolet (UV) light introduced strand breakage into the DNA in a dose-dependent manner when analyzed by alkaline sucrose density gradient sedimentation. Irradiation of unsubstituted HSV DNA under similar conditions produced little strand breakage. These observations are in agreement with the proposed mechanism for photochemical generation of strand breakage in 5-halo-2'-deoxyuridine-containing DNA. Irradiation of IdUrd-substituted virions followed by analysis of the isolated DNA indicated less strand breakage than irradiation of isolated IdUrd-substituted DNA under equivalent conditions. The dosage of irradiation required to introduce DNA strand breakage in IdUrd-substituted virions was equivalent to that employed to affect greater than 99% loss of infectious virus activity in both control and IdUrd-containing virions. It is suggested that the relative UV insensitivity of IdUrd-substituted HSV may be due to the microstructure environment of the substituted HSV DNA which may favor recombination of the photochemically formed halogen-uracil radical pairs.     

Inter-strand cross-links and single-strand breaks produced by gold(I) and gold(III) coordination complexes

The ability of gold coordination complexes to bind to DNA and produce inter-strand cross-links in DNA was assessed in an assay system based on the fluorescence properties of the DNA intercalative dye, ethidium bromide. Results from these studies using a variety of gold(I) and gold(III) complexes suggest that the ability of gold complexes to bind to and produce inter-strand cross-links in DNA is not dependent on the oxidation state of gold in the complex but is influenced by the nature of the coordinating ligands. Those complexes in which the gold was ligated through one or more weakly coordinating ligands showed evidence for DNA binding. However, only those complexes with two or more of these relatively weak coordinating ligands produced inter-strand cross-links. Both the amount of binding to and cross-linking of DNA by these compounds were decreased by treatment of the gold-DNA complex with 2-mercaptoethanol and other thiol containing agents. As shown by agarose gel electrophoresis, 2-mercaptoethanol caused a dissociation of the gold-DNA complexes and a regeneration of closed circular superhelical pBR322 DNA. DNA strand breakage also resulted from treatment of a number of gold-DNA complexes with 2-mercaptoethanol; this was observed with the gold compounds which were shown to produce inter-strand cross-links in DNA. The amount of DNA strand breakage produced by treatment of gold-DNA complexes with 2-mercaptoethanol was influenced by the initial conformation of the DNA; gold-DNA complexes which resulted from the binding of gold compounds to covalently closed superhelical DNA were more sensitive to the breakage induced by 2-mercaptoethanol treatment than those complexes in which closed circular, relaxed DNA was used as substrate. The DNA breakage was not reduced in partially anaerobic conditions or by free-radical scavengers, suggesting that it is not mediated by oxygen. The results are discussed with respect to the potential for the interaction of gold complexes with intracellular DNA and chromatin and their biological implications.     

The relationship between nickel chloride-induced peroxidation and DNA strand breakage in rat liver.

Inorganic nickel chloride induces hepatic DNA strand breaks, chromosome aberrations, and lipid peroxidation under in vitro and in vivo conditions. The objective of this research was to determine if a relationship exists between NiCl2 genotoxicity and lipid peroxidation in vivo. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (210-250 g) were dosed with 0.56 or 0.75 mmol/kg NiCl2 subcutaneously and euthanized after specific time periods, ranging from 30 min to 24 hr. Livers were perfused and excised for the measurement of nickel content using atomic absorption spectrometry, lipid peroxidation using a thiobarbituric acid assay, and DNA strand breakage using single-stranded DNA extraction and the diaminobenzoic acid assay. The lower dose (0.56 mmol/kg) did not induce lipid peroxidation or strand breakage. The higher dose (0.75 mmol/kg) induced DNA strand breakage at 4 hr and lipid peroxidation at 12 hr in rat liver. Nickel was seen to accumulate in liver nuclei of rats receiving 0.75 mmol/kg. Deferoxamine (1 g/kg, ip, 15 min before the NiCl2 injection) completely inhibited DNA strand breakage at 4 hr but had no effect on lipid peroxidation. This suggests that lipid peroxidation is not causally related to genetic damage. NiCl2-induced DNA strand breakage may be caused by the induction of the Fenton reaction, generating hydroxyl radicals.