Abstract
BackgroundMolecular mechanisms of response to pesticides are scarce and information on such responses from soil invertebrates is almost inexistent. Enchytraeus albidus (Oligochaeta) is a standard soil ecotoxicology model species for which effects of many pesticides are known on survival, reproduction and avoidance behaviour. With the recent microarray development additional information can be retrieved on the molecular effects.Methodology/Principal FindingsExperiments were performed to investigate the transcription responses of E. albidus when exposed to three pesticides – dimethoate (insecticide), atrazine (herbicide) and carbendazim (fungicide) – in a range of concentrations that inhibited reproduction by 10%, 20%, 50% and 90% (EC10, EC20, EC50 and EC90, respectively). The goal of this study was to further identify key biological processes affected by each compound and if dose-related. All three pesticides significantly affected biological processes like translation, regulation of the cell cycle or general response to stress. Intracellular signalling and microtubule-based movement were affected by dimethoate and carbendazim whereas atrazine affected lipid and steroid metabolism (also by dimethoate) or carbohydrate metabolism (also by carbendazim). Response to DNA damage/DNA repair was exclusively affected by carbendazim.ConclusionsChanges in gene expression were significantly altered after 2 days of exposure in a dose-related manner. The mechanisms of response were comparable with the ones for mammals, suggesting across species conserved modes of action. The present results indicate the potential of using gene expression in risk assessment and the advantage as early markers.
Highlights
Pesticides are a common source of pollution, being present at a large scale in many European soils
The mechanisms of response were comparable with the ones for mammals, suggesting across species conserved modes of action
The present results indicate the potential of using gene expression in risk assessment and the advantage as early markers
Summary
Pesticides are a common source of pollution, being present at a large scale in many European soils. Dimethoate is one of the most used insecticides in agricultural fields and it is known as a cholinesterase inhibitor acting at the cholinergic synapses of insects [1] This ability to inhibit cholinesterases has been demonstrated for other groups of organisms like freshwater shrimps [2], chironomids [3], fish [4] or earthworms [5]. Besides these effects related to its mode of action in insects, dimethoate have been described to inhibit steroidogenesis in rats [6]. With the recent microarray development additional information can be retrieved on the molecular effects
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
