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Antioxidant defenses in killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) exposed to contaminated sediments and model prooxidants: short-term and heritable responses
Meyer, J.N.; Smith, J.D.; Winston, G.W.; Di Giulio, R.T. (2003). Antioxidant defenses in killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) exposed to contaminated sediments and model prooxidants: short-term and heritable responses. Aquat. Toxicol. 65(4): 377-395. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2003.06.001
In: Aquatic Toxicology. Elsevier Science: Tokyo; New York; London; Amsterdam. ISSN 0166-445X; e-ISSN 1879-1514, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Adaptation
    Biological phenomena > Adaptations
    Chemical compounds > Organic compounds > Hydrocarbons > Unsaturated hydrocarbons > Aromatic hydrocarbons
    Chemical reactions > Oxidation
    Creosote
    Creosote
    Evolution > Adaptation
    Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
    Preservatives > Wood preservatives > Creosote
    Fundulus heteroclitus (Linnaeus, 1766) [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Meyer, J.N.
  • Smith, J.D.
  • Winston, G.W.
  • Di Giulio, R.T., correspondent

Abstract
    A population of killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) inhabiting a Superfund site on the Elizabeth River (VA, USA) is tolerant of the acute toxicity of the sediments from the site; previous work suggests that this tolerance is based both on genetic adaptation and physiological acclimation. In this study, larval first- and second-generation (F1 and F2) offspring of Elizabeth River killifish were more resistant to the toxicity of t-butyl hydroperoxide (a model prooxidant) than were King's Creek (reference site) offspring, indicating a heritable tolerance of exposure to oxidative stress. In laboratory experiments designed to elucidate the mechanistic basis for this increased tolerance, we exposed laboratory-raised F1 and F2 offspring from Elizabeth River and King's Creek killifish to Elizabeth River sediments, menadione, or t-butyl hydroperoxide, and measured the following antioxidant parameters: total oxyradical scavenging capacity (TOSC); glutathione content (total and disulfide); activities of glutathione reductase (GR); glutathione peroxidase (GPx); and glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) activities and protein levels of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD); and protein levels of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). Exposure to Elizabeth River sediments lead to consistent increases in total glutathione concentrations, GR activities, and MnSOD protein levels, and in some cases increased GPx and GCL activities, in both populations. In addition, Elizabeth River offspring (larvae) showed higher basal TOSC values, glutathione concentrations, and MnSOD protein levels. These data suggest that upregulated antioxidant defenses play a role in both short-term (physiological) and heritable (multigenerational/evolutionary) tolerance of the toxicity of these Superfund sediments. The responses of specific antioxidant parameters, including sex-specific responses in the cases of glutathione concentrations and GR activity, are also discussed.

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