Zebrafish ABCC5 gene expression in relation to metallic contamination and presence of Tubifex worms

Abstract

The impact of contaminated sediment with copper and cadmium on the expression of ABCC5 gene expression in Zebrafish Danio rerio was studied after seven days of exposure. Also the effect of Tubifex worms as bioturbator organism on the gene expression was investigated. Expression of ABCC5 gene was estimated in Zebrafish brain, gills, muscles and digestive tract tissues in four different experimental conditions. The highest expression for ABCC5 gene was found in brain samples of all tested groups, while the gene expression in gills didn’t show any significant change in all groups. Presence of Cu and Cd had led to a significant increase in the expression of ABCC5 gene in brain and digestive tract samples. Surprisingly, in presence of Tubifex worms, expression of the same gene was higher in zebrafish tissues than expression in normal condition in absence of Tubifex worms. The only exception was in gills tissues, where a lower expression was detected.