PUBLICATION

The UV-absorber benzophenone-4 alters transcripts of genes involved in hormonal pathways in zebrafish (Danio rerio) eleuthero-embryos and adult males

Authors
Zucchi, S., Blüthgen, N., Ieronimo, A., and Fent, K.
ID
ZDB-PUB-101018-21
Date
2011
Source
Toxicology and applied pharmacology   250(2): 137-146 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Keywords
UV-filter, UV-absorber, Benzophenone-4, Effects on eleuthero embryos, mRNA expression, Transcription profile
MeSH Terms
  • Estrogens/pharmacology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Testis/drug effects
  • Testis/metabolism
  • Benzophenones/administration & dosage
  • Benzophenones/toxicity*
  • Estrogen Antagonists/pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/drug effects*
  • Animals
  • Male
  • Brain/drug effects
  • Brain/metabolism
  • Sunscreening Agents/administration & dosage
  • Sunscreening Agents/toxicity*
  • Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects*
  • Liver/drug effects
  • Liver/metabolism
  • Zebrafish
  • Transcription, Genetic/drug effects
  • Thyroid Gland/drug effects
  • Thyroid Gland/embryology
(all 21)
PubMed
20937294 Full text @ Tox. App. Pharmacol.
CTD
20937294
Abstract
Benzophenone-4 (BP-4) is frequently used as UV-absorber in cosmetics and materials protection. Despite its frequent detection in the aquatic environment potential effects on aquatic life are unknown. In this study, we evaluate the effects of BP-4 in eleuthero-embryos and in the liver, testis and brain of adult male fish on the transcriptional level by focusing on target genes involved in hormonal pathways to provide a more complete toxicological profile of this important UV-absorber. Eleuthero-embryos and males of zebrafish were exposed up to 3days after hatching and for 14days, respectively, to BP-4 concentrations between 30 and 3000μg/L. In eleuthero-embryos transcripts of vtg1, vtg3, esr1, esr2b, hsd17β3, cyp19b cyp19a, hhex and pax8 were induced at 3000μg/L BP-4, which points to a low estrogenic activity and interference with early thyroid development, respectively. In adult males BP-4 displayed multiple effects on gene expression in different tissues. In the liver vtg1, vtg3, esr1 and esr2b were down-regulated, while in the brain, vtg1, vtg3 and cyp19b transcripts were up-regulated. In conclusion, the transcription profile revealed that BP-4 interferes with the expression of genes involved in hormonal pathways and steroidogenesis. The effects of BP-4 differ in life stages and adult tissues and point to an estrogenic activity in eleuthero-embryos and adult brain, and an antiestrogenic activity in the liver. The results indicate that BP-4 interferes with the sex hormone system of fish, which is important for the risk assessment of this UV-absorber.
Genes / Markers
Figures
No images available
Expression
Phenotype
No data available
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping
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Citation
Zucchi, S., Blüthgen, N., Ieronimo, A., and Fent, K. (2011) The UV-absorber benzophenone-4 alters transcripts of genes involved in hormonal pathways in zebrafish (Danio rerio) eleuthero-embryos and adult males. Toxicology and applied pharmacology. 250(2):137-146.