AI Article Synopsis
- * The study uses Caenorhabditis elegans, a nematode with similarities to human genes, to investigate the effects of Cr (VI) on gene expression and growth, identifying potential genetic markers for pollution.
- * Findings show that Cr (VI) exposure leads to altered growth and gene expression in the nematodes, with a median lethal concentration of 158.5 mg/L, indicating C. elegans is a practical biosensor for monitoring environmental toxicity from heavy metals.
Article Abstract
The interaction of heavy metals such as hexavalent chromium, Cr (VI) with the environment drastically influences living organisms leading to an ecological imbalance. Caenorhabditis elegans, a saprophytic nematode having 60-80% homology with human genes offers a distinct advantage to be used as a biosensor for the appraisal of heavy metal-induced environmental toxicity and risk monitoring. The present study examines the toxicity effects of K2Cr2O7 as Cr (VI) on stress-related gene expression and morphometric parameters of C. elegans under in vitro conditions to identify genetic markers for environmental pollution. Alterations in growth and modified gene expression were observed in Cr (VI)-exposed N2 worms. The 24-h median lethal concentration for Cr (VI) was observed as 158.5 mgl(-1). Use of the responses of stress-related gene expression suggests that C. elegans can be used as an efficient biosensor for figuring out the precise route of Cr (VI)-induced environmental toxicity in a quick, simple, and inexpensive manner.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/jes.2013.66 | DOI Listing |
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