Microcystins (MCs) are toxins produced by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), primarily Microcystis aeruginosa, forming water blooms worldwide. When an organism is exposed to environmental perturbations, alterations in normal behavioral patterns occur. Behavioral repertoire represents the consequence of a diversity of physiological and biochemical alterations. In this study, we assessed behavioral patterns and whole-body cortisol levels of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to cell culture of the microcystin-producing cyanobacterium M. aeruginosa (MC-LR, strain RST9501). MC-LR exposure (100 μg/L) decreased by 63% the distance traveled and increased threefold the immobility time when compared to the control group. Interestingly, no significant alterations in the number of line crossings were found at the same MC-LR concentration and time of exposure. When animals were exposed to 50 and 100 μg/L, MC-LR promoted a significant increase (around 93%) in the time spent in the bottom portion of the tank, suggesting an anxiogenic effect. The results also showed that none of the MC-LR concentrations tested promoted significant alterations in absolute turn angle, path efficiency, social behavior, or whole-body cortisol level. These findings indicate that behavior is susceptible to MC-LR exposure and provide evidence for a better understanding of the ecological consequences of toxic algal blooms.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3255310 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/280304 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Untargeted LC-HRMS applied to microcystin-producing cyanobacterial cultures for the evaluation of the efficiency of chlorine-based treatments commonly used for water potabilization.
Chemosphere
September 2024
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Via Sant'Alberto 163, 48123, Ravenna, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, 90133, Italy.
Cyanobacteria in water supplies are considered an emerging threat, as some species produce toxic metabolites, cyanotoxins, of which the most widespread and well-studied are microcystins. Consumption of contaminated water is a common exposure route to cyanotoxins, making the study of cyanobacteria in drinking waters a priority to protect public health. In drinking water treatment plants, pre-oxidation with chlorinated compounds is widely employed to inhibit cyanobacterial growth, although concerns on its efficacy in reducing cyanotoxin content exists.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNon-microcystin extracellular metabolites of Microcystis aeruginosa impair viability and reproductive gene expression in rainbow trout cell lines.
Sci Total Environ
April 2024
Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada; School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China. Electronic address:
Microcystis aeruginosa is a ubiquitous freshwater cyanobacterium best known for producing hepatotoxic microcystins; however, this common bloom-forming species also produces myriad biologically active and potentially deleterious other metabolites. Our understanding of the effects of these non-microcystin metabolites on fish is limited. In this study, we evaluated cytotoxicity of extracellular metabolites harvested from both microcystin-producing (MC+) and non-producing (MC-) strains of M.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntifungal screening of selenium nanoparticles biosynthesized by microcystin-producing Desmonostoc alborizicum.
BMC Biotechnol
September 2023
Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green city, OH, 43403, USA.
Metal nanoparticles exhibit excellent antifungal abilities and are seen as a good substitute for controlling different kinds of fungi. Of all known taxa, cyanobacteria have received significant consideration as nanobiofactories, as a result of the cellular assimilation of heavy metals from the environment. The cellular bioactive enzymes, polysaccharides and pigments can be used as reducers and coatings during biosynthesis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMulti-year molecular quantification and 'omics analysis of -specific cyanophage sequences from Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie.
Front Microbiol
June 2023
Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, United States.
Introduction: is a microcystin-producing cyanobacterium found in Sandusky Bay, a shallow and turbid embayment of Lake Erie. Previous work in other systems has indicated that cyanophages are an important natural control factor of harmful algal blooms. Currently, there are few cyanophages that are known to infect , with the best-known being PaV-LD, a tail-less cyanophage isolated from Lake Donghu, China.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGenome sequence of freshwater nontoxigenic Limnoraphis associated with microcystin-producing blooms.
Harmful Algae
October 2022
Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 United States of America.
Article Synopsis
- - A metagenome assembled from a cyanobacterial bloom in a freshwater reservoir in eastern Oregon revealed the complete genome of Limnoraphis sp. WC205, which is 7.3 Mbp long.
- - The genome includes genes for gas vesicles, nitrogen fixation, and phycobilisomes, but importantly, Limnoraphis sp. WC205 lacks cyanotoxin genes, indicating it's non-toxic.
- - Microcystin production in the reservoir was linked to Microcystis cyanobacteria, as indicated by the presence of the mcyG gene specifically identified in their DNA.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!