Radiation-induced genomic instability in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Radiation-induced genomic instability has been well documented, particularly in vitro. However, the understanding of its mechanisms and their consequences in vivo is still limited. In this study, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans; strain CB665) nematodes were exposed to X-rays at doses of 0.1, 1, 3 or 10Gy. The endpoints were measured several generations after exposure and included mutations in the movement-related gene unc-58, alterations in gene expression analysed with oligoarrays containing the entire C. elegans genome, and micro-satellite mutations measured by capillary electrophoresis. The progeny of the irradiated nematodes showed an increased mutation frequency in the unc-58 gene, with a maximum response observed at 1Gy. Significant differences were also found in gene expression between the irradiated (1Gy) and non-irradiated nematode lines. Differences in gene expression did not show clear clustering into certain gene categories, suggesting that the instability might be a chaotic process rather than a result of changes in the function of few specific genes such as, e.g., those responsible for DNA repair. Increased heterogeneity in gene expression, which has previously been described in irradiated cultured human lymphocytes, was also observed in the present study in C. elegans, the coefficient of variation of gene expression being higher in the progeny of irradiated nematodes than in control nematodes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first publication reporting radiation-induced genomic instability in C. elegans.

Gene expression responses of paper birch (Betula papyrifera) to elevated CO2 and O3 during leaf maturation and senescence.

Gene expression responses of paper birch (Betula papyrifera) leaves to elevated concentrations of CO(2) and O(3) were studied with microarray analyses from three time points during the summer of 2004 at Aspen FACE. Microarray data were analyzed with clustering techniques, self-organizing maps, K-means clustering and Sammon's mappings, to detect similar gene expression patterns within sampling times and treatments. Most of the alterations in gene expression were caused by O(3), alone or in combination with CO(2). O(3) induced defensive reactions to oxidative stress and earlier leaf senescence, seen as decreased expression of photosynthesis- and carbon fixation-related genes, and increased expression of senescence-associated genes. The effects of elevated CO(2) reflected surplus of carbon that was directed to synthesis of secondary compounds. The combined CO(2)+O(3) treatment resulted in differential gene expression than with individual gas treatments or in changes similar to O(3) treatment, indicating that CO(2) cannot totally alleviate the harmful effects of O(3).

Dioxin exposure in contaminated sawmill area: the use of molar teeth and bone of bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) and field vole (Microtus agrestis) as biomarkers.

Developmental disorders of teeth are among the most sensitive targets of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and -furan (PCDD/F) exposure. In rats, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) reduces dose-dependently the size of molars, most severely the third lower molars. Dioxins also have effects on developing bone, including altered bone mineral density as well as reduced bending breaking force and stiffness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of the third lower molar and long bones as biomarkers of PCDD/F exposure in two wild vole species, the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) and the field vole (Microtus agrestis) collected from a PCDD/F contaminated former sawmill area. Survey of soil and biota of the sawmill area indicated a PCDD/F contamination with a congener profile characteristic for the chlorophenol wood preservative Ky-5. The PCDD/F concentration in the bank vole was notably higher than in the field vole. The third molar of the bank vole was significantly smaller in dioxin-exposed animals compared to control group, while there was no difference between these two groups in the field vole. No significant alterations were observed in bone density and strength in either species except for reduced bending strength of the femur neck in bank vole males exposed to dioxins. Even though the bone changes are among the sensitive endpoints of dioxin-exposure, high variability due to age, size and gender limits their use as biomarkers of wildlife exposure. In conclusion, the size of molar teeth seems to be a sensitive and robust biomarker for PCDD/F exposure in wild bank vole populations and thus worth of further studies.