Hepatic CYP1A levels and EROD activity in English sole: biomonitoring of marine contaminants in Vancouver Harbour

To assess chemical contaminant stress in the marine environment, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity and cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) expression were measured in 88 English Sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) collected during May and June 1999 from four sites in Vancouver Harbour and at an expected reference site outside the harbour. Hepatic microsomes were prepared from the fish and analyzed for total CYP content, EROD activity, and CYP1A protein levels. Hepatic EROD activity and CYP1A protein levels were elevated in fish from two sites in the inner harbour. A comparison with sediment chemistry data showed that fish with increased EROD activity and CYP1A levels came from sites containing relatively high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls. Unexpectedly high levels of EROD activity and CYP1A protein were also found in fish from a reference site near Gibsons, in Howe Sound. The elevated EROD activity and CYP1A expression in fish from this site cannot be explained by the chemical analysis data collected.     

The use of polyclonal antibodies raised against rat and trout cytochrome P450 CYP1A1 orthologues to monitor environmental induction in the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Induction of hepatic cytochrome P450-dependent microsomal mono-oxygenase by xenobiotics is a well-established phenomenon in teleost fish. As in laboratory mammals, fish possess multiple forms of cytochrome P450 that display overlapping substrate specificity. One such isoform, CYP1A1, which has been cloned and sequenced from rainbow trout, has been shown to be orthologous to rat CYP1A1 and, as in mammals, is inducible up to several hundred-fold by planar aromatic hydrocarbons, PCBs and dioxins. It has been suggested that induction of CYP1A1 orthologues might provide a sensitive biomonitor for environmental pollution by mixtures of such compounds. In the current study, polyclonal antibodies directed against CYP1A1 purified from rat and trout liver were used to monitor induction of the CYP1A1 orthologue in hepatic microsomes from the fresh water species, the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Catfish from a local fish farm were induced in the laboratory by three daily injections of 50 mg/kg of the PCB mixture Aroclor 1254 and compared with fish taken from a site in central Arkansas—the Bayou Meto, known to be polluted with dioxin. Hepatic microsomal activities towards ethoxyresorufin (EROD) and pentoxyresorufin (PROD) were measured and Western blot analysis carried out with the two antibodies. EROD was elevated in both the Aroclor-treated fish and in the Bayou Meto fish compared with untreated fish farm controls; smaller but significant increases were observed in PROD. Spearman's rank correlations of 0·74 and 0·89 were observed between EROD and immunoquantified cross-reactivity towards the rat CYP1A1 and trout CYP1A1 antibodies.     

Effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on the hepatic cytochrome P450 1A1 system in rainbow trout

Effects on the hepatic cytochrome P450 1A1 system were investigated in juvenile rainbow trout i.p. injected with three different aromatic containing fractions: kerosene, light gas oil or heavy gas oil, originated from distilled North Sea crude oil. Kerosene treatment resulted in no effect on the P450 1A1 system, light gas oil injection caused a weak induction of EROD activities and heavy gas oil treatment resulted in a prominent induction of EROD activities as well as accumulation of CYP1A1 mRNA and P450 1A1 protein levels. The effects of heavy gas oil were compared with effects of β-napthoflavone (β-NF) on the P450 1A1 system. It was obvious that important discrepancies seemed to exist between EROD activities and corresponding CYP1A1 mRNA and P450 1A1 levels in rainbow trout treated with either heavy gas oil or β-NF i.e. heavy gas oil treatment resulted in higher specific EROD activities (EROD/P450 1A1) compared to β-NF. GC-MS analyses revealed that liver and bile from heavy gas oil treated rainbow trout in addition to naphthalene also contained polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as phenanthrenes, anthracene, pyrenes, fluoranthene benz(a)anthracene and chrysene, while none of these compounds were detected in control trout.     

Microsomal estrogen metabolism in channel catfish

Our goal was to study the involvement of cytochrome P450 genes in estrogen metabolism and the extent to which the potentially carcinogenic 4-hydroxyestradiol metabolite is formed by channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus; CC). Estradiol metabolism and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity were assessed in several tissues from fish collected from three variably contaminated sites in the Mississippi River Delta, from laboratory control fish, and from fish exposed to 20 mg/kg benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) i.p. for 4 days. Liver EROD activity was induced by BaP, but Delta fish EROD activities were not statistically higher than activities in control fish. Gill microsomal EROD activity was also induced by BaP, but activities were 8- to 77-fold lower than those from liver. The predominant estrogen metabolites formed by CC liver, gill and gonad microsomes were 2-hydroxyestradiol and estrone as detected by GC/MS. Liver and gill 2-hydroxyestradiol formation was induced in BaP-dosed fish. The trends in hydroxyestradiol formation in field collected fish were more variable. In all fish liver microsomes there was more 2- compared to 4-hydroxyestradiol formed. However, BaP-treatment increased the 4:2 hydroxyestradiol ratio from 0.04 in control fish to 0.2 in BaP-exposed fish, suggesting that BaP induces the formation of the potentially genotoxic estrogen metabolite. No detectable 4-hydroxyestradiol was produced by gill and gonad microsomes. These results will ultimately help in determining which fish P450 genes are susceptible to environmental contamination and may be involved in estrogen genotoxicity.     

Inhibitory effects of divalent metal ions on liver microsomal 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity of leaping mullet

The purpose of the present study was to elucidate in vitro effects of Hg(2+), Zn(2+), Ni(2+) and Cd(2+) on cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) dependent EROD activities in leaping mullet liver microsomes. Fish captured from the most polluted part of Izmir Bay, had highly elevated EROD activities, and induced CYP1A1 protein levels as determined by Western blotting. Although all of the metal ions caused inhibition of the initial velocity of the reaction, Hg(2+) and Cd(2+) exhibited much higher inhibitory effect at lower concentrations and they were evidently more potent inhibitors than others. The inhibitor concentration giving 50% inhibition (IC(50) values) of Zn(2+), Ni(2+), Cd(2+) and Hg(2+) of initial EROD activity were 107, 16, 1.3 and 0.15 micromolar, respectively. Glutathione (GSH) at 0.5 mM final concentration, completely reversed Ni(2+) and Cd(2+) inhibition of EROD activity indicating the protective action of GSH.     

Isolation of CYP2L2 and two other cytochrome P450 sequences from a spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, hepatopancreas cDNA library

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases constitute an enzyme superfamily, with at least 74 known families. Members of CYP families 1–4 are important in the phase 1 metabolism of lipophilic xenobiotics, such as those found in contaminated marine environments. Previous studies (James et al. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. (1996) 329, 31–38) showed that a major form of P450 in spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, hepatopancreas was CYP2L1, a new sub-family, and that there was evidence for other P450 forms in hepatopancreas. We now report the sequence of a second member of this subfamily, named CYP2L2, present in P. Argus hepatopancreas. The deduced amino acid sequences of CYP2L1 and CYP2L2 share 54.7% sequence identity and an additional 13.6% of the sequences show conservative substitutions. Analysis of the sequences of CYP2L1, CYP2L2 and other representative CYP2 family members (from rat and mouse sub-families 2A, 2B, 2D and 2E) showed that the crustacean sequences clustered together. In addition to CYP2L2, cDNA clones of 66 to 117 base pairs from the 5′ coding region of two more P450 isoforms were isolated from the spiny lobster cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence of one of these additional cDNA clones was identical to the first 22 amino acids of the N-terminal sequence of a P450 protein previously isolated from hepatopancreas microsomes. These studies confirm earlier biochemical evidence that the hepatopancreas contains multiple forms of cytochrome P450.     

Catalytic function of avian cytochrome P450 1A4 and 1A5 (CYP1A4 and CYP1A5) enzymes heterologously expressed using in vitro yeast system

The present study clarifies the enzymatic properties of two avian cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) paralogs, CYP1A4 and 1A5, using a yeast-based vector system. Recombinant CYP1A4 and 1A5 proteins from common cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) were expressed in yeast cells, and showed typical reduced CO-difference spectra with a peak at 446 nm. Kinetic analysis of O-dealkylase of methoxy-, ethoxy-, pentoxy- and benzyloxyresorufin catalyzed by the CYP1A enzymes revealed that Vmax value for ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity was much higher than that for the other three O-dealkylase activities for both isozymes. Interestingly, remarkable substrate specificity of the CYP1As was observed for O-dealkylation of benzyloxyresorufin and methoxyresorufin; CYP1A4 was highly specific for catalyzing benzyloxyresorufin-O-debenzylase activity, whereas CYP1A5 was more efficient in catalyzing methoxyresorufin-O-demethylase activity. The present study also measured CYP1A-dependent EROD activity in the presence of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) to evaluate the ability of this dioxin-like congener to inhibit the EROD activity. One hundred nanomolar TCDF noncompetitively inhibited CYP1A5-dependent EROD activity, although no inhibitory effect was detected for CYP1A4-dependent EROD activity. These results indicate that the avian CYP1A paralogs have different affinities for substrate and inhibitor, thus suggesting their distinct physiological and toxicological roles.     

Cloning of cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) genes from the hermaphrodite fish Rivulus marmoratus and the Japanese medaka Oryzias latipes

To use two small fish Rivulus marmoratus (Cyprinodontiformes, Rivulidae) and the Japanese medaka Oryzias latipes (Belloniformes) as testing models in molecular ecotoxicology, we have cloned the cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) gene after screening of both genomic DNA libraries, and sequenced 11,863 and 7,243 bp including all the exons and introns with promoter regions, respectively. The Rivulus and the medaka CYP1A gene consisted of seven exons (including non-coding exons) with high homology to mammals. In the promoter region, Rivulus CYP1A gene has seven xenobiotic response elements (XREs) and two metal response elements (MREs), while the Japanese medaka CYP1A gene has six XREs and four MREs. Interestingly, medaka CYP1A gene has a number of MREs at the promoter, which may affect its response on metal exposure. We describe here the gene structure of both fish CYP1A genes.     

Xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme activity in sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) during spawning migration

Activities of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (MO) system and GSH-transferase (GST) were monitored about every 2 weeks in sockeye salmon during their sexual migration and ultimate death. Liver cytosol and microsomes were prepared from the tissue of 50 individuals, five males and five females at each collection. The activities observed were not significantly different between the sexes. Substantial changes occurred in cytochrome P450, cytochrome b₅ and the monitored activities during the migration. The most dramatic changes occurred at the spawning grounds and were evident even before spawning occurred. The cytochrome P450 and cytochrome b₅ contents increased while the MO and GST activities decreased. Pre-spawning MO and GST activities were similar to those reported for other species undergoing sexual maturation. Migrating salmon offer an interesting model for studying the regulation of sex-dependent and terminal forms of cytochromes P450, MO and phase II activities.     

Inhibitory effects of divalent metal ions on liver microsomal 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity of leaping mullet

The purpose of the present study was to elucidate in vitro effects of Hg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Cd²⁺ on cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) dependent EROD activities in leaping mullet liver microsomes. Fish captured from the most polluted part of Izmir Bay, had highly elevated EROD activities, and induced CYP1A1 protein levels as determined by Western blotting. Although all of the metal ions caused inhibition of the initial velocity of the reaction, Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺ exhibited much higher inhibitory effect at lower concentrations and they were evidently more potent inhibitors than others. The inhibitor concentration giving 50% inhibition (IC₅₀ values) of Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Hg²⁺ of initial EROD activity were 107, 16, 1.3 and 0.15 micromolar, respectively. Glutathione (GSH) at 0.5 mM final concentration, completely reversed Ni²⁺ and Cd²⁺ inhibition of EROD activity indicating the protective action of GSH.     

The correlation between bioaccumulation and pattern of stress-related genes expression of black sea bream (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acanthopagrus schlegeli</Emphasis>) by cadmium exposure

In order to correlate the expression of detoxifying enzyme genes and Cd accumulation in black sea bream, we analyzed four tissues (brain, gills, liver, and muscle) from black sea breams that were exposed to four different concentrations of Cd (0, 2, 13, and 25 mg/L) for various durations (0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h). The highest level of Cd was accumulated in the liver, followed by the gills, brain, and muscle. The accumulation of Cd was significantly correlated with the duration of exposure and the concentration in brain, gill, and liver tissue, but not in muscle tissue, and the rate of accumulation increased with Cd concentration. The expression of metallothionein II (MT II) mRNA exhibited a similar pattern as Cd accumulation, especially in that the expression of MT II mRNA decreased in muscle tissue with increases in exposure duration. In contrast, the expression of cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) mRNA was highest in the liver, followed by brain, muscle, and gill tissues, and in gills and muscle tissue of Cd-exposed fish, the expression of CYP1A mRNA fell below that of the control fish. Overall, the liver of black sea bream was the most sensitive to Cd exposure, and the expression of MT II mRNA was 200-fold greater than the control fish. These findings indicate that the detoxification mechanisms of black sea bream are influenced by both MT II and CYP1A and that the genes participate in the detoxification of different tissues.     

Modulation of trout 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity by estradiol and octylphenol.

Estrogens appear to have a modulating effect on the expression of cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) in fish. A number of in vivo studies have demonstrated that hepatic CYP1A expression in females decrease during sexual maturation when plasma levels of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) increase, or in cases when the fish in injected with E2. Since a number of environmental contaminants have weak estrogen-like activities, the question arises if these compounds are able to modulate CYP1A expression as well. In the present study, we used in vitro monolayer cultures of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, liver cells to compare concentration-dependent (10(-9) to 10(-5) M) effects of the natural steroid E2 and the non-steroidal xenoestrogen 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) on CYP1A-catalyzed 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity. The concentration dependency of the estrogenic activity of the two test compounds was assessed by determination of hepatocellular vitellogenin (Vg) release into the culture medium. Exposure of hepatocytes to E2 concentrations of 10(-8) M and higher led to a significant inhibition of basal cellular EROD activity. On the contrary, exposure to OP did not result in an inhibition of EROD activity, even at OP concentrations (10(-6) M, 10(-5) M) which were associated with a significant induction of Vg synthesis.     

许氏平鮋( Sebastes schlegeli) CYP19B 基因cDNA克隆及在生殖周期中的表达分析

从许氏平鲉脑组织中克隆到细胞色素P450芳香化酶(P450aromB)(CYP19B)基因核心功能区cDNA。结果表明,许氏平鲉CYP19B主要功能区片段编码369个氨基酸,包括I-螺旋区、Ozol’s肽区及部分芳香化酶特异性保守区。RT-PCR分析表明,CYP19B在雌鱼和雄鱼各组织中表达情况不同,在雌鱼中表达较丰富,但是两者都在性腺和脑中有表达,且脑中的表达量高于性腺。生殖季节表达结果表明,CYP19B在繁殖前期表达较为丰富,退化期未见有表达。CYP19B在精巢处于Ⅲ期的许氏平鲉脑组织中表达最为丰富,在精巢发育Ⅳ期的脑组织表达量最低。上述研究结果说明,CYP19B在雌性和雄性许氏平鲉繁殖周期中均发挥重要生理作用。     

Comparison of cytochrome P450 in three butterflyfish species: Ecological implications of elevated CYP2B and CYP3A in Chaetodon capistratus

The relationship between cytochrome P450 and feeding on terpenoid-rich gorgonian corals was investigated in a species of tropical butterflyfish and compared with two other sympatric congeners that do not feed on gorgonians. Fish were collected from non-polluted waters in Belize and the levels of two cytochrome P450 isozymes (CYP2B and CYP3A) were immunoquantitated in addition to quantification of total P450. Chaetodon capistratus regularly feeds on gorgonian corals and has higher levels of total hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 than C. ocellatus or C. striatus. The content of hepatic P450 (0.588–0.794 nmol mg⁻¹) in C. capistratus is among the highest ever reported in teleosts from non-polluted waters and is significantly greater than detected in C. ocellatus or C. striatus. Chaetodon capistratus also had a larger hepatic index (g liver per g fish) and more microsomal protein (mg protein per g liver), factors that translate into 3.3- to 8-fold more total P450 per g fish. Sexual differences in total P450 were observed between male and female C. capistratus, but not among the other species. The contents of proteins detected by immunoassay with polyclonal anti-scup P450B (CYP2B) and anti-human P4503A (CYP3A) were 2- to 10-fold and 2- to 20-fold greater, respectively, in C. capistratus than in the congeneric species. CYP2 and CYP3 gene families in mammals are thought to have evolved partially in response to dietary allelochemicals. These results suggest that these P450 isozymes may also be important in marine teleosts that feed on terpenoid-rich prey.     

Semipermeable membrane devices link site-specific contaminants to effects: Part 1 - Induction of CYP1A in rainbow trout from contaminants in Prince William Sound, Alaska

Extracts from semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) deployed on beaches in Prince William Sound (PWS), Alaska, were used to evaluate if complex contaminant mixtures from different sources can be distinguished by the resulting cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) activity in exposed test animals. Deployment sites included canneries, salmon hatcheries, and beaches where lingering oil remains from discharges during the 1964 earthquake or the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. Other sites were selected at random to evaluate region-wide contaminant inputs or were located in salmon streams to evaluate contaminants carried and released by migrating salmon carcasses following reproduction. Following standard deployments of approximately 28 d, an aliquot of the accumulated contaminants was intraperitoneally injected without cleanup into juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). After 2 d and 7 d, the activity of CYP1A was measured by the ethoxyresorufin-o-deethylase (EROD) assay. Exposure to extracts from the oiled sites and one hatchery site with numerous creosote pilings elicited strong EROD responses, whereas fish exposed to salmon stream extracts elicited weak but significant responses during late summer compared to late spring. Responses from the other sites were not significant, indicating contaminants from these sources are unlikely to cause CYP1A induction in resident biota. Rather than simply assessing extant contaminants, this method evaluates the potency of the different sites for bringing about aryl hydrocarbon receptor responses in resident biota.     

Hepatic biomarkers of sediment-associated pollution in juvenile turbot, Scophthalmus maximus L

Hatchery-reared turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) were exposed for 3 weeks, under laboratory conditions, to sediment collected from polluted sites in Cork Harbour and a reference site at Ballymacoda, Co. Cork, Ireland. The potential of surficial sediment for inducing hepatic biomarkers was assessed at two levels of biological organisation: expression of cytochrome P450 [Western blotting analysis and 7-ethoxy-resorufin O-dealkylase (EROD), 7-benzoxy resorufin O-dealkylase (BROD), 7-methoxy resorufin O-dealkylase (MROD), 7-pentoxy-resorufin O-dealkylase (PROD) activities] and DNA integrity (Comet assay). Positive controls were generated, either by exposing turbot to cadmium chloride-spiked seawater (Comet assay) or to beta-naphthaflavone by intraperitoneal injection (cytochrome P450 induction). The induction of cytochrome P450 activity (EROD, MROD and PROD) in animals following a 7-day exposure to contaminated sediments was significantly higher than those exposed to reference site sediment and remained elevated thereafter; BROD was not induced. DNA single-strand breaks were also significantly higher following exposure to contaminated sediments throughout the experiment. Although no direct correlation between induction of alkoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activities and a particular chemical class was established, the induction of MROD and PROD activities in fish exposed to sediments containing complex contaminant mixtures, appeared to be more sensitive than conventional EROD activity assays. We conclude from the present laboratory study that S. maximus is a suitable sentinel species for the assessment of moderately contaminated sediments and therefore allows for the further development of this model for future, ecologically relevant, field studies.     

Effect of exposure to benzo[a]pyrene on SODs, CYP1A1/1A2- and CYP2E1 immunopositive proteins in the blood clam Scapharca inaequivalvis

The effects of water-borne exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (36 h; celite-bound 0.44 mg L(-1) B[a]P) on cytochrome P450 (CYP) and superoxide dismutases (SODs) were examined in digestive gland of the blood clam, Scapharca inaequivalvis. B[a]P accumulation and elimination were rapid, with maximum whole-body concentrations of 1.78 ng g(-1) wet wt after 12 h of treatment, followed by a progressive decline to 0.89 ng g(-1) at 36 h. The presence of B[a]P resulted in an increase in total CYP of digestive gland microsomes from 54+/-14 to 108+/-21 pmol/mg protein (mean+/-SD; p<0.05, 24 h). Increases were also seen in microsomal CYP1A1/1A2-immunopositive protein (50.5 kDa app. mol. wt; p<0.05), but not CYP2E1-immunopositive protein (49 kDa app. mol. wt.), indicating a specific response of the former isoform. Exposure to B[a]P produced a steady increase in Mn-SOD digestive gland activity (p<0.01; p<0.05) but no significant change in Cu/Zn-SOD activity. The respective proteins, measured by western blotting, were not significant induced after B[a]P exposure. Cu/Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD activities were correlated with total CYP levels (r=0.96 and 0.63, respectively), indicating a role for CYP in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during exposure. Both 'NADPH-independent' and NADPH-dependent metabolism of B[a]P by digestive gland microsomes was seen, producing mainly 1,6-, 3,6- and 6,12-diones, with some phenols and 7,8-dihydrodiol; putative protein adducts were also formed. Redox cycling of the diones may also have contributed to ROS production, leading to the increased SOD activities.     

Estrogenic and CYP1A response of mummichogs and sunshine bass to sewage effluent

Recent studies demonstrating feminization of effluent-exposed wild-caught male fish in the UK have prompted much research regarding the estrogenic activity of effluent from municipal sewage treatment plants (MSTPs). To investigate the estrogenicity and cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) induction potency of MSTP effluent, two species of fish, adult male mummichogs, Fundulus heteroclitus, and juvenile sunshine bass, Morone saxatilis x Morone chrysops, were exposed to un-chlorinated effluent (75% effluent, 25% seawater) from a large MSTP in Yonkers, NY, USA. After a 21-day static-daily (75%) renewal exposure, significant elevations over controls were observed in levels of vitellogenin (VtG) in plasma (1730%) and liver (131%) in effluent-exposed sunshine bass. In contrast, hepatic VtG was not elevated in mummichogs; plasma VtG was not measured in this species. Effluent exposure elevated hepatic CYP1A protein (140-145%) and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity (408-598%) in both species. These findings suggest ontogenetic and/or species differences in response to estrogenic compounds in MSTP effluent. Furthermore, the elevation of CYP1A in response to sewage effluent exposure indicates the presence of additional compounds that may alter xenobiotic and/or steroid biotransformation in fish.