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HERO ID
5017299
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Investigating the potential impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on gene biomarker expression and global DNA methylation in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from the Adriatic Sea
Author(s)
Cocci, P; Mosconi, G; Bracchetti, L; Nalocca, JM; Frapiccini, E; Marini, M; Caprioli, G; Sagratini, G; Palermo, FA
Year
2018
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
Science of the Total Environment
ISSN:
0048-9697
EISSN:
1879-1026
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Location
AMSTERDAM
Volume
619-620
Page Numbers
49-57
Language
English
PMID
29136534
DOI
10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.118
Web of Science Id
WOS:000424144200006
URL
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85033449294&doi=10.1016%2fj.scitotenv.2017.11.118&partnerID=40&md5=cb3c799cb756d884eb93e475f3b81d8d
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Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are priority contaminants that bioaccumulate through the food webs and affect the biology of a variety of resident and migratory species, including sea turtles. Few studies have evaluated toxicological biomarkers of exposure to PAHs and PCBs in these animals. The present paper reports the results of an initial field study to quantify the association between plasma concentrations of PAHs/PCBs and whole blood cell expression of gene biomarkers in juvenile loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) rescued along the Italian coasts of the northern and central areas of the Adriatic Sea. While detectable levels of PAHs were found in all plasma samples examined, only three PCB congeners (PCB52, PCB95, and PCB149) were noted, with detection percentages ranging between 48% and 57%. A significant correlation was found between 3 of the 6 gene biomarkers assessed (HSP60, CYP1A and ERα) and plasma levels of some PAH congeners. In contrast, no significant association between PCB burden and gene expression was observed. The global DNA methylation levels were significantly and positively correlated with the concentrations of most of the PAHs and only one of the PCB congeners (PCB52). The relation between PAH concentration and gene expression in whole blood cells suggests that these genes may respond to environmental contaminant exposure and are promising candidates for the development of biomarkers for monitoring sea turtle exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
Keywords
Adriatic Sea; Biomarkers; Caretta caretta; Gene transcription; PAH; PCB
Tags
IRIS
•
PCBs
Supplemental
Litsearches
Litsearch: Aug 2017 - Aug 2018
PubMed
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