Cell cycle regulation of the psoriasis associated gene CCHCR1 by transcription factor E2F1.

The coiled-coil alpha-helical rod protein 1 (CCHCR1) was first identified as a candidate gene in psoriasis and has lately been found to be associated with a wide range of clinical conditions including COVID-19. CCHCR1 is located within P-bodies and centrosomes, but its exact role in these two subcellular structures and its transcriptional control remain largely unknown. Here, we showed that CCHCR1 shares a bidirectional promoter with its neighboring gene, TCF19.

Toxic effects of octocrylene on zebrafish larvae and liver cell line (ZFL).

Octocrylene (OC) is a broad-spectrum ultraviolet-absorbing chemical used in sunscreen and other personal care products. Its health effects are a concern because it has been detected in water, fish, humans, and food chains. In vivo and in vitro investigations were performed in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae and a zebrafish liver cell line (ZFL), respectively, to understand the potential risks and molecular mechanisms of OC toxicity.

Promotion of cadmium uptake and cadmium-induced toxicity by the copper transporter CTR1 in HepG2 and ZFL cells.

Cadmium (Cd) is considered a human carcinogen as it causes oxidative stress and alters DNA repair responses. However, how Cd is taken up by cells remains unclear. We hypothesized that Cd could be transported into cells via a membrane copper (Cu) transporter, CTR1.

Whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) study of the ZFL zebrafish liver cell line after acute exposure to Cd ions.

Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential metal with no known biological function and a broad range of toxic effects in biological systems. We used whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) to study the effects of Cd toxicity in zebrafish liver cells, ZFL. The results of an RNA-Seq analysis of ZFL cells exposed to 5, 10 or 20 μM Cd for 4- or 24-h.

Oxidative stress and apoptotic effects of copper and cadmium in the zebrafish liver cell line ZFL.

Copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) are widely used in industrial activities, resulting in Cu and Cd contamination in aquatic systems worldwide. Although Cu plays an essential role in many biological functions, an excessive amount of the metal causes cytotoxicity. In contrast, Cd is a non-essential metal that usually co-exists with Cu.

Microplastics from effluents of sewage treatment works and stormwater discharging into the Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong.

Sewage treatment works and stormwater outfalls were identified as sources of microplastics in the Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong. Local treated sewage and stormwater effluents contained up to 10,816 pieces per m of microplastics, mainly polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), being discharged at an average rate of 3.5 mg per capita daily.

Toxic effects and transcriptome analyses of zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae exposed to benzophenones.

Sunscreen chemicals, such as benzophenones (BPs), are common environmental contaminants that are posing a growing health concern due to their increasing presence in water, fish, and human systems. Benzoresorcinol (BP1), oxybenzone (BP3), and dioxybenzone (BP8) are the most commonly used BPs for their ability to protect from sunburn by absorbing a broad spectrum of ultraviolet radiation. In this study, zebrafish larvae were used as an in vivo model to investigate the potential risks and molecular mechanisms of the toxic effects of BPs.

Seasonal variation and the distribution of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in various matrices affected by algae in the eutrophic water environment of the pearl river delta, China.

The seasonal variation and distribution among different matrices of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) were investigated in the eutrophic water ecosystem of the Pearl River Delta, Guangdong, China. The chlorophyll a (Chl a) levels were generally higher in summer than in spring; however, the concentrations of 4-tert-octylphenol (OP), 4-nonylphenol (NP), and bisphenol A (BPA) in surface water were generally higher in spring (oligotrophic) than in summer (eutrophic). The levels of EDCs in SPM were lower in spring than in summer, a pattern seen in the seasonal variation of Chl a and particulate organic carbon (POC).

Functional analyses of copper transporter genes in the human liver cell line HepG2.

Copper (Cu) is an essential element regulated by four genes (hCTR1, hATOX1, hATP7A, and hATP7B in humans and zctr1, zatox1, zatp7a, and zatp7b in zebrafish) in copper uptake, distribution, and transport in animal cells. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) shows a higher endogenous ratio of zatp7a to zatp7b in the liver, is relatively intolerant to copper ions and has a different zatp7a and zatp7b expression patterns in different organs. As high-affinity copper transporters, both zctr1 and hCTR1 increased copper toxicity, whereas hATOX1 and zatox1 slightly reduced copper toxicity in HepG2 cells after copper administration for 24 h.

Whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses of the zebrafish liver cell line, ZFL, after acute exposure to Cu ions.

All cells require Cu as a cofactor, but Cu2+ induces toxicity and oxidative damage. A strict system is thus needed to maintain Cu homeostasis. Using the ZFL zebrafish liver cell line as a model, we studied the cellular responses after exposure to Cu2+, using whole-transcriptome shotgun sequencing (RNA-seq) to screen nearly all transcriptomes in cell samples and identify changes in gene expression.

Impact of juvenile hormone analogue insecticides on the water flea Moina macrocopa: Growth, reproduction and transgenerational effect.

The increasing quantities of insecticides that leach into water bodies severely affect the health of the aquatic environment. Juvenile hormone analogue (JHA) insecticides are endocrine disrupters that interfere with hormonal activity in insects by mimicking juvenile hormones (JHs). Because the structure and functions of methyl farnesoate in crustaceans are similar to the insect JHs, exogenous JHA insecticides may cause adverse effects on the growth and reproduction in crustaceans similar to those observed in insects.

A crustacean annotated transcriptome (CAT) database.

Background: Decapods are an order of crustaceans which includes shrimps, crabs, lobsters and crayfish. They occur worldwide and are of great scientific interest as well as being of ecological and economic importance in fisheries and aquaculture. However, our knowledge of their biology mainly comes from the group which is most closely related to crustaceans - insects.

Ecdysteroid-mimicking compounds act as both agonists and antagonists to the crustacean ecdysone receptor.

To characterize the potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the environment that interact with the crustacean ecdysone receptor (EcR), we established a method involving in silico modeling/molecular docking and in vitro reporter gene assay. Cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) EcR (NdEcR) and retinoid X receptor (NdRxR) were identified and cloned for use in this method. A theoretical 3D model of NdEcR ligand-binding domain (LBD) was built in silico based on sequence homology with the established X-ray structure of insect EcR.

Functional characterization of copper transporters zCtr1, zAtox1, zAtp7a and zAtp7b in zebrafish liver cell line ZFL.

Copper (Cu) is an essential element for all organisms, serving as an enzyme cofactor to maintain cellular activity and vitality. However, Cu homeostasis must be maintained at the physiological and cellular levels as Cu ions can be highly toxic. In mammals, ATP7A is expressed in most tissues, but relatively lower expression is found in the liver, and is responsible for the intestinal uptake of Cu, while ATP7B is highly expressed in the liver, kidneys and placenta, and is responsible for removal of Cu in the liver.

Acute toxic effects of polyethylene microplastic on adult zebrafish.

To identify the physical effects, behavioral changes, and gene expression profiles of the phase 1 detoxification-related gene (cyp 1a) and oogenesis-related gene (vtg 1) induced by microplastics, high-density polyethylene microplastics of various sizes were used because of their dominance in coastal areas and effluent samples in Hong Kong. Adult zebrafish were used as the model organism to identify the upper and lower boundaries of microplastics ingestion and were exposed to individual polyethylene microplastics in five size ranges (10-22 μm, 45-53 μm, 90-106 μm, 212-250 μm, and 500-600 μm) at a concentration of 2 mg/L for 96 h. To study behavioral changes and targeted gene expression profiles via real-time PCR (qPCR), a mixture of microplastics in three size ranges at effluent-related (11 particles/L), moderate (110 particles/L), and high concentrations (1,100 particles/L) were applied for 96 h.

Effects of two juvenile hormone analogue insecticides, fenoxycarb and methoprene, on Neocaridina davidi.

Juvenile hormone analogue (JHA) insecticides are endocrine disrupters that interfere with hormonal action in insects by mimicking their juvenile hormones (JH). As the structure and functions of methyl farnesoate in crustaceans are similar to those of JH in insects, exogenous JHA insecticides could have adverse effects on the development and reproduction of crustaceans. This study examined the toxic effects of two JHA insecticides, fenoxycarb and methoprene, on a freshwater shrimp model of cherry shrimp, Neocaridina davidi.

Modulations of TCDD-mediated induction of zebrafish cyp1a1 and the AHR pathway by administering Cdin vivo.

Trace metal ions such as cadmium (Cd) and trace organics typified by 2,3,7,8- tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) are common co-contaminants in the environment and cause toxic effects in aquatic organisms that pose serious health risks. We studied the effects of Cd on the regulation of cytochrome P450 1A1 (cyp1a1) gene-induction by TCDD using zebrafish embryos and larvae and adult zebrafish tissues. Our results showed that TCDD induced the cyp1a1 gene in all developmental stages and tissues of zebrafish, and the induction was higher in females than males.

Toxic effects of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (BDE 47 and 99) and localization of BDE-99-induced mRNA in zebrafish larvae.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were once widely used as flame retardants in furniture and electronic products, and contamination persists in developing countries due to the dismantling of electronic waste. Our previous study confirmed that 2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-99) induced cytochrome P450 1A (Cyp1a) via aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr)-mediated signaling in the zebrafish liver cell line (ZFL) . In this study, the toxicities of BDE-47 and BDE-99 at environmentally relevant concentrations (50 and 500 nM) were evaluated in newly hatched zebrafish () larvae A time-course study (8, 24, 48, and 96 h) was performed.

A comprehensive web tool for toehold switch design.

Motivation: Toehold switches are a class of RNAs with a hairpin loop that can be unfolded upon binding a trigger RNA, thereby exposing a ribosome binding site (RBS) and permitting translation of the reporter protein. They have been shown very useful in detecting a variety of targets including RNAs from Zika and Ebola viruses. The base complementation between the toehold switch and the trigger RNA also makes it sensitive to sequence variations.

Transcriptional inhibition of TCDD-mediated induction of cytochrome P450 1A1 and alteration of protein expression in a zebrafish hepatic cell line following the administration of TCDD and Cd.

We studied the effects of Cd on TCDD-mediated induction of the cytochrome P450 1A1 (cyp1a1) gene using a zebrafish liver cell line (ZFL). Our results showed that Cd inhibited the TCDD-mediated induction of the cyp1a1 protein, enzyme activity, and mRNA expression level. Cd also down-regulated levels of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (ahr2) and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator 2b (arnt2b) mRNAs.

Toxic effects of triclosan on a zebrafish (Danio rerio) liver cell line, ZFL.

Triclosan (TCS, 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol) is an antimicrobial agent widely used in personal care products. It has been detected in surface water, soil, aquatic species, and even humans. In this study, we used zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model to test the hypothesis that TCS exhibits toxic effects by interacting with thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and by inducing the transcription of thyroid hormone (TH)-associated genes and affecting phase I and phase II enzymes.

BDE-99, but not BDE-47, is a transient aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist in zebrafish liver cells.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that affect the environment and the health of humans and wildlife. In this study, the zebrafish liver (ZFL) cell line was used in vitro to investigate two major PBDE contaminants: 2, 2', 4, 4', 5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-99) and 2, 2', 4, 4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47). BDE-99 was found to significantly induce cytochrome P450 (CYP1A), uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase 1 family a, b (ugt1ab), 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity and an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) dependent xenobiotic response element luciferase reporter system, confirming the Ahr-mediated activation of CYP1A by BDE-99.