Experimentally nonylphenol-polluted diet induces the expression of silent genes VTG and ERI- in the liver of male lizard Podarcis sicula

Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals (EDCs) with estrogen-like properties i.e nonylphenol (NP) induce vitellogenin (VTG) synthesis in males of aquatic and semi-aquatic specie. In the oviparous species VTG is a female-specific oestrogen dependent protein. Males are unable to synthesize VTG except after E2 t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental pollution (1987) 2011-05, Vol.159 (5), p.1101-1107
Main Authors: Verderame, Mariailaria, Prisco, Marina, Andreuccetti, Piero, Aniello, Francesco, Limatola, Ermelinda
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Diets
Foods
Genes
Lacertilia
Liver
Lizards
Males
Podarcis
Podarcis sicula
Synthesis
Vertebrates
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Summary:Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals (EDCs) with estrogen-like properties i.e nonylphenol (NP) induce vitellogenin (VTG) synthesis in males of aquatic and semi-aquatic specie. In the oviparous species VTG is a female-specific oestrogen dependent protein. Males are unable to synthesize VTG except after E2 treatment. This study aimed to verify if NP, administered via food and water, is able to induce the expression of VTG even in males of vertebrates with a terrestrial habitat such as the lizard Podarcis. By means of ICC, ISH, W/B and ELISA we demonstrated that NP induces the presence of VTG in the plasma and its expression in the liver. VTG, undetectable in untreated males, reaches the value of 4.34 mu g/ mu l in the experimental ones. Expression analysis and ISH in the liver showed that an NP-polluted diet also elicits the expression of ERI- in the liver which is known to be related to VTG synthesis in Podarcis.
ISSN:0269-7491
DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2011.02.017