Ecotoxico-Proteomics for Aquatic Environmental Monitoring: First in Situ Application of a New Proteomics-Based Multibiomarker Assay Using Caged Amphipods

Abstract

As a proof of principle, a selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry-based methodology was applied to the simultaneous quantification of dozens of protein biomarkers in caged amphipods (Gammarus fossarum). We evaluated the suitability of the methodology to assess complex field contaminations through its application in the framework of a regional river monitoring network. Thanks to the high throughput acquisition of biomarker levels in G. fossarum exposed in four reference and 13 contaminated sites, we analyzed the individual responses of 38 peptides reporting for 25 proteins of interest in 170 organisms. Responses obtained in contaminated sites included inductions of vitellogenin-like proteins in male organisms, inductions of NaK/ATPases, and strong inhibitions of molt-related proteins such as chitinase and JHE-carboxylesterase. Proteins from detoxification and immunity processes were also found modulated in abundance. Summarizing, the results presented here show that the SRM strategy developed for multibiomarker measurement paves a very promising way to define multiple indicators of the health status of sentinel organisms for environmental hazard assessment.

Molecular Effects of Inorganic and Methyl Mercury in Aquatic Primary Producers: Comparing Impact to A Macrophyte and A Green Microalga in Controlled Conditions

“…Indeed, the analysis of gene and protein expression level in response to IHg and MeHg seems promising to develop rapid and sensitive molecular biomarkers of effect or exposure that are sensitive, specific, reproducible, and reliable and will allow the early detection of Hg contamination. Nonetheless, to nicely complement the standard tests, biomarkers based on omics analysis, needs to be further validated in wild populations for normalization of background levels, as is currently done in animal models ( [64]). Nevertheless, few studies are available concerning primary producers yet and the various experimental settings limits still interspecific comparisons and hence generalizations to the ecosystem level.…”

Continental-scale patterns of hyper-cryptic diversity within the freshwater model taxon Gammarus fossarum (Crustacea, Amphipoda)

“…It is also used in eco-physiology, e.g. in association with global warming studies 44,45 , as well as, extensively, in eco-toxicology [46][47][48][49] . This species has also been emerging as a model for molecular reproduction physiology 50 .…”

Inorganic Mercury and Methyl-Mercury Uptake and Effects in the Aquatic Plant Elodea nuttallii: A Review of Multi-Omic Data in the Field and in Controlled Conditions

“…In primary producers, further work is needed to efficiently link responses at the molecular level to risk assessment in the environment at the population and at community level. In addition, the validation of biomarkers based on omic analysis is requested in wild populations, to normalize background levels and eventually complement standard tests [16].…”

“…High-throughput omics have revolutionized the understanding of molecular responses to sublethal stresses [15]. Early, specific and robust biomarkers directly linking responses at the level of the molecule and the cell to the effects at the level of the whole organism, population and community are envisioned in line with the adverse outcome pathway theory [10,[16][17][18].…”