PUBLICATION

The brominated flame retardant TBECH activates the zebrafish (Danio rerio) androgen receptor, alters gene transcription and causes developmental disturbances

Authors
Pradhan, A., Kharlyngdoh, J.B., Asnake, S., and Olsson, P.E.
ID
ZDB-PUB-130904-16
Date
2013
Source
Aquatic toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands)   142-143C: 63-72 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Pradhan, Ajay
Keywords
androgens, endocrine, endocrine disruptor, gene regulation
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclohexanes/toxicity*
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects*
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Receptors, Androgen/genetics*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity*
  • Zebrafish/embryology
  • Zebrafish/physiology*
PubMed
23958786 Full text @ Aquat. Toxicol.
CTD
23958786
Abstract

Tetrabromoethylcyclohexane (TBECH) is a brominated flame retardant that has been shown to be a potent agonist to the human androgen receptor (AR). However, while it is present in the environment, it is not known if it interacts with AR from aquatic species. The present study was therefore aimed at improving our understanding of how TBECH affects aquatic animals using zebrafish as a model organism. In silico modeling demonstrated that TBECH diastereomers bind to the zebrafish androgen receptor (zAR) and in vitro and in vivo data showed that TBECH has androgenic properties. Deleterious effects of TBECH were studied on embryonic and juvenile zebrafish and qRT-PCR analysis in vitro and in vivo was performed to determine TBECH effects on gene regulation. TBECH was found to delay hatching at 1 μM and 10 μM doses while morphological abnormalities and juvenile mortality was observed at 10 μM. The qRT-PCR analysis showed alterations of multiple genes involved in chondrogenesis (cartilage development), metabolism and stress response. Thus, TBECH induces androgenic activity and has negative effects on zebrafish physiology and therefore its impact on the environment should be carefully monitored.

Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping