Biochemical and molecular responses in oysters Crassostrea brasiliana collected from estuarine aquaculture areas in Southern Brazil

Abstract

Biochemical and molecular responses were evaluated in oysters Crassostrea brasiliana collected from three oyster farms, at Guaratuba Bay, southern Brazil, forming a pollutant gradient: Farm 1 (reference site - farther from the urban area), Farm 2 (intermediate site) and Farm 3 (nearest to the urban area). Oxidative stress markers, DNA damage and transcript levels of CYP2AU1, CYP2-like1, CYP2-like2, SULT-like, GPx-like, SOD-like, CAT-like, GSTmicrosomal-like, GSTomega-like, FABP-like and ALAd-like genes were analyzed in the gills. The levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, linear alkylbenzenes and polychlorinated biphenyls were also evaluated in the soft tissues of the oysters and in the sediment of the Farms. Higher GSTomega-like, CYP2AU1 and FABP-like transcript levels, GR and G6PDH activities and lipid peroxidation levels were observed in oysters from Farms 2 and 3, suggesting pollutant effects on oysters. Alterations in oxidative stress markers also suggest a response against a prooxidant condition in C. brasiliana due to pollutant effects.