Ecotoxicological diagnosis of striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) from the Mediterranean basin by skin biopsy and gene expression approach

• Published in: Ecotoxicology (London) 2011-11, Vol.20 (8), p.1791-1800
• Main Authors: Panti, Cristina, Spinsanti, Giacomo, Marsili, Letizia, Casini, Silvia, Frati, Francesco, Fossi, Maria Cristina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Animals; Aquatic mammals; Biopsy; Cetacea; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System - genetics; Delphinidae; Dolphins; E2F1 Transcription Factor - genetics; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Ecotoxicology - methods; Environment; Environmental Management; Environmental stress; Estrogen; Estrogen Receptor alpha - genetics; Estrogens; Gene Expression Regulation; Genes; Genetic Markers - drug effects; Genetic research; Genetic transcription; Heat shock proteins; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins - genetics; Marine; Mediterranean Sea; Odontoceti; Persistent organic pollutants; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - toxicity; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon - genetics; Skin; Skin - chemistry; Stenella - genetics; Stenella coeruleoalba; Trace elements; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
• ISSN: 0963-9292; 1573-3017
• DOI: 10.1007/s10646-011-0713-2

Mediterranean cetacean odontocetes are exposed to environmental stress, in particular to persistent organic pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and trace elements. In the present study, the response of “gene-expression biomarkers” was evaluated in Mediterranean striped dolphin ( Stenella coeruleoalba ) skin biopsies collected in three sampling areas: Pelagos sanctuary (Ligurian sea), Ionian sea, and Strait of Gibraltar. The mRNA levels of five putative biomarker genes (aryl hydrocarbon receptor, E2F-1 transcription factor, cytochrome P450 1A, estrogen receptor 1, and heat shock protein 70) were measured for the first time by quantitative real-time PCR in cetacean skin biopsies. The different responses of most of the genes reflected contamination levels in the three sampling areas. Pelagos sanctuary dolphins appeared to be the most exposed to toxicological stress, having the highest up-regulation of CYP1A and AHR. Moreover, a cluster analysis distinguished the populations on the basis of the gene expression biomarker used in our study, showing different pattern between Mediterranean sea and Strait of Gibraltar. Our results suggest that this molecular approach applied to non-destructive biopsy material is a powerful diagnostic tool for evaluating ecotoxicological impact on cetacean populations.