Looking for biomarkers of Hg exposure by transcriptome analysis in the aquatic plantElodea nuttallii

Abstract

Abstract.Recently developed genomics tools have a promising potential to identify early biomarkers of exposure to toxicants. In the present work we used transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq) of Elodea nuttallii -an invasive rooted macrophyte that is able to accumulate large amounts of metals-to identify biomarkers of Hg exposure. RNA-seq allowed identification of genes affected by Hg exposure and also unraveled plant response to the toxic metal: a change in energy/reserve metabolism caused by the inhibition of photosynthesis, and an adaptation of homeostasis networks to control accumulation of Hg. Data were validated by RT-qPCR and selected genes were further tested as biomarkers. Samples exposed in the field and to natural contaminated sediments clustered well with samples exposed to low metal concentrations under laboratory conditions. Our data suggest that this plant and/or this approach could be useful to develop new tests for water and sediment quality assessment.

Validation of Differential Gene Expression of Transcriptome Assembly via Nanostring® Technologies Analysis Platform

“…Numerous studies have demonstrated that mRNA abundance profiles of two or more contrast conditions or biological states can be potentially developed as biomarkers (Riedmaier and Pfaffl, 2013) for early detection in human diseases (Goodkind and Edwards, 2005), ecotoxicology test (Regier et al, 2013), assessing ripening stages in grape (Agudelo- Romero et al, 2013) and monitoring tools such as monitoring carbon dioxide injury in apple during storage (Yang et al, 2011;Gapper et al, 2013). Hence using the above ideas, we further analysed the expression profiles of three selected transcripts in root, leaf, stem, and meristem tissues of 9-month old oil palm plantlets that were predefined as PT and PS to G. boninense.…”