Whole genomic expression analysis of octachlorostyrene-induced chronic toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Arch Pharm Res. 2009 Nov;32(11):1585-92. doi: 10.1007/s12272-009-2111-3.

Abstract

In recent years, microarray technology has enabled the investigation of possible mechanisms the expression of genes related to toxic compounds. We used a C. elegans whole genome microarray to observe and evaluate the chronic toxicity of the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) after exposure to octachlorostyrene, (OCS), a by-product in the manufacture of many chlorinated hydrocarbons. In this study, we examined sublethal toxicity, egg hatching, and movement of octachlorostyrene over three generations using a nematode growth medium (NGM) agar plate. In the third generation, OCS affected the fecundity rate of C. elegans. Specifically, the number of worm and eggs decreased significantly to about 50% of control (p < 0.05). In microarray experiments, total RNA was isolated at 0, 2 and 3 generations following treatment of OCS, and hybridized to the microarray containing about 22,000 C. elegans genes. Dye swaps were performed. After data analysis, we identified a total of 1,294 genes that were differentially expressed through generations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / drug effects*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Environmental Pollutants / administration & dosage
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Fertility / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
  • Genes, Helminth / drug effects
  • Genome, Helminth
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • RNA, Helminth / drug effects
  • Styrenes / administration & dosage
  • Styrenes / toxicity*

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • RNA, Helminth
  • Styrenes
  • octachlorostyrene