Far from Their Origins: A Transcriptomic Investigation on How 2,4‐Di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐(5‐chloro‐2H‐benzotriazol‐2‐yl) Phenol Affects Rainbow Trout Alevins

Abstract

Benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BUVSs) are a group of widely used chemicals added to a variety of consumer (e.g., plastics) and industrial (e.g., metal coating) goods. Although detected globally as an environmentally persistent pollutant, BUVSs have received relatively little toxicological attention and only recently have been acknowledged to affect development and the endocrine system in vivo. In our previous study, altered behavior, indicative of potential neurotoxicity, was observed among rainbow trout alevins (day 14 posthatching) that were microinjected as embryos with a single environmentally relevant dose of 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl–6‐(5‐chloro‐2H‐benzotriazol‐2‐yl) phenol (UV‐327). In the present follow‐up study, we performed whole‐transcriptome profiling (RNA sequencing) of newly hatched alevins from the same batch. The primary aim was to identify biomarkers related to behavior and neurology. Dose‐specifically, 1 to 176 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. In the group presenting altered behavior (273.4 ng g−1), 176 DEGs were identified, yet only a fraction was related to neurological functions, including water, calcium, and potassium homeostasis; acetylcholine transmission and signaling; as well insulin and energy metabolism. The second objective was to estimate the transcriptomic point of departure (tPOD) and assess if point estimate(s) are protective of altered behavior. A tPOD was established at 35 to 94 ng UV‐327 g−1 egg, making this tPOD protective of behavioral alterations. Holistically, these transcriptomic alterations provide a foundation for future research on how BUVSs can influence rainbow trout alevin development, while providing support to the hypothesis that UV‐327 can influence neurogenesis and subsequent behavioral endpoints. The exact structural and functional changes caused by embryonic exposure to UV‐327 remain enigmatic and will require extensive investigation before being deciphered and understood toxicologically. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1–12. © 2024 The Author(s). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.