Global genomic methylation levels in the liver and gonads of the three-spine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) after exposure to hexabromocyclododecane and 17-β oestradiol

• Published in: Environment international 2008-04, Vol.34 (3), p.310-317
• Main Authors: Aniagu, Stanley O., Williams, Tim D., Allen, Yvonne, Katsiadaki, Ioanna, Chipman, J. Kevin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agnatha. Pisces; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Azacitidine - analogs & derivatives; Azacitidine - toxicity; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinogenesis, carcinogens and anticarcinogens; Carcinogens - toxicity; Chemical agents; Deoxycytidine - analogs & derivatives; Deoxycytidine - analysis; DNA - chemistry; DNA - metabolism; DNA Methylation; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on vertebrates; Estradiol - toxicity; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gonads - chemistry; Hexabromocyclododecane; Hydrocarbons, Brominated - toxicity; Liver - chemistry; Male; Medical sciences; Methylation; Oestradiol; Smegmamorpha; Stickleback; Tumors
• ISSN: 0160-4120; 1873-6750
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2007.03.009

Alteration of DNA methylation is a major epigenetic mechanism associated with the effects of nongenotoxic carcinogens. We evaluated the effects of two environmental pollutants, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), 17-β oestradiol (E2) as well as 5-aza 2′ deoxycytidine (5AdC) on global DNA methylation levels (5-methyl 2′ deoxycytidine) in the liver and gonads of the three-spine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). HBCD at 30 and 300 ng/L of water did not produce statistically significant differences in global genomic methylation in liver of female stickleback. On the other hand, the methylation inhibitor, 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, significantly lowered hepatic global methylation levels in these fish by 14% (P