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Ligand-specific transcriptional mechanisms underlie aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated developmental toxicity of oxygenated PAHs

Journal Article · · Toxicological Sciences
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [2];  [2];  [4];  [2]
  1. Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR (United States); Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH (United States); Oregon State University Libraries & Press
  2. Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR (United States)
  3. Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR (United States); Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
  4. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are priority environmental contaminants that exhibit mutagenic, carcinogenic, proinflammatory, and teratogenic properties. Oxygen-substituted PAHs (OPAHs) are formed during combustion processes and via phototoxidation and biological degradation of parent (unsubstituted) PAHs. Despite their prevalence both in contaminated industrial sites and in urban air, OPAH mechanisms of action in biological systems are relatively understudied. Like parent PAHs, OPAHs exert structure-dependent mutagenic activities and activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and cytochrome p450 metabolic pathway. Four-ring OPAHs 1,9-benz-10-anthrone (BEZO) and benz(a)anthracene-7,12-dione (7,12-B[a]AQ) cause morphological aberrations and induce markers of oxidative stress in developing zebrafish with similar potency, but only 7,12-B[a]AQ induces robust Cyp1a protein expression. We investigated the role of the AHR in mediating the toxicity of BEZO and 7,12-B[a]AQ, and found that knockdown of AHR2 rescued developmental effects caused by both compounds. Using RNA-seq and molecular docking, we identified transcriptional responses that precede developmental toxicity induced via differential interaction with AHR2. Redox-homeostasis genes were affected similarly by these OPAHs, while 7,12-B[a]AQ preferentially activated phase 1 metabolism and BEZO uniquely decreased visual system genes. Analysis of biological functions and upstream regulators suggests that BEZO is a weak AHR agonist, but interacts with other transcriptional regulators to cause developmental toxicity in an AHR-dependent manner. Furthermore, identifying ligand-dependent AHR interactions and signaling pathways is essential for understanding toxicity of this class of environmentally relevant compounds.
Research Organization:
Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1235029
Journal Information:
Toxicological Sciences, Journal Name: Toxicological Sciences Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 147; ISSN 1096-6080
Publisher:
Oxford University PressCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Cited By (12)

Induction and inhibition of human cytochrome P4501 by oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons journal January 2016
In Vivo Characterization of an AHR-Dependent Long Noncoding RNA Required for Proper Sox9b Expression journal April 2017
AHR2 required for normal behavioral responses and proper development of the skeletal and reproductive systems in zebrafish journal March 2018
Coupling Genome-wide Transcriptomics and Developmental Toxicity Profiles in Zebrafish to Characterize Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Hazard journal May 2019
Immobilization of P. stutzeri on Activated Carbons for Degradation of Hydrocarbons from Oil-in-Saltwater Emulsions journal April 2019
Aconitine induces cardiotoxicity through regulation of calcium signaling pathway in zebrafish embryos and in H9c2 cells journal January 2020
Investigation of inflammation inducing substances in PM2.5 particles by an elimination method using thermal decomposition journal July 2019
Comparative developmental toxicity of a comprehensive suite of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons journal November 2017
Mechanistic Evaluation of Benzo[a]pyrene’s Developmental Toxicities Mediated by Reduced Cyp19a1b Activity journal September 2016
Mechanistic Investigations Into the Developmental Toxicity of Nitrated and Heterocyclic PAHs journal February 2017
Highly potent visnagin derivatives inhibit Cyp1 and prevent doxorubicin cardiotoxicity journal January 2018
Signaling Events Downstream of AHR Activation That Contribute to Toxic Responses: The Functional Role of an AHR-Dependent Long Noncoding RNA ( slincR ) Using the Zebrafish Model journal November 2018

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