Effect of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons on Development of the Ascidian Ciona intestinalis Type A

Toshio Sekiguchi, Hiroshi Akitaya, Satoshi Nakayama, Takashi Yazawa, Michio Ogasawara, Nobuo Suzuki, Kazuichi Hayakawa and Shuichi Wada
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Toshio Sekiguchi: Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Division of Marine Environmental Studies, Kanazawa University, Noto-cho, Ishikawa 927-0553, Japan
Hiroshi Akitaya: Department of Animal Bioscience, Faculty of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829, Japan
Satoshi Nakayama: Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
Takashi Yazawa: Department of Biochemistry, Asahikawa Medical University, Hokkaido 078-8510, Japan
Michio Ogasawara: Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
Nobuo Suzuki: Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Division of Marine Environmental Studies, Kanazawa University, Noto-cho, Ishikawa 927-0553, Japan
Kazuichi Hayakawa: Low Level Radioactivity Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Nomi City, Ishikawa 923-1224, Japan
Shuichi Wada: Department of Animal Bioscience, Faculty of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829, Japan

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 4, 1-11

Abstract: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are pollutants that exert harmful effects on marine invertebrates; however, the molecular mechanism underlying PAH action remains unclear. We investigated the effect of PAHs on the ascidian Ciona intestinalis type A ( Ciona robusta ). First, the influence of PAHs on early Ciona development was evaluated. PAHs such as dibenzothiophene, fluorene, and phenanthrene resulted in formation of abnormal larvae. PAH treatment of swimming larva induced malformation in the form of tail regression. Additionally, we observed the Ciona aryl hydrocarbon receptor ( Ci-AhR ) mRNA expression in swimming larva, mid body axis rotation, and early juvenile stages. The time correlation between PAH action and AhR mRNA expression suggested that Ci-AhR could be associated with PAH metabolism. Lastly, we analyzed Ci-AhR mRNA localization in Ciona juveniles. Ci-AhR mRNA was localized in the digestive tract, dorsal tubercle, ganglion, and papillae of the branchial sac, suggesting that Ci-AhR is a candidate for an environmental pollutant sensor and performs a neural function. Our results provide basic knowledge on the biological function of Ci-AhR and PAH activity in marine invertebrates.

Keywords: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; development; ascidian; Ciona intestinalis type A; marine invertebrates (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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