Induction of cytochrome P4501A isoform in Xenopus laevis is a valid tool for monitoring the exposure to benzo[a]pyrene

✍ Scribed by Colombo, A. ;Bonfanti, P. ;Ciccotelli, M. ;Doldi, M. ;Dell'Orto, N. ;Camatini, M.

• Book ID: 104631162
• Publisher: Springer-Verlag
• Year: 1996
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 495 KB
• Volume: 5
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0925-1014
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00124108

✦ Synopsis

In mammals polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are metabolized by the enzymes of the eytochrome P-4501A family expressed in specific cell types. Recently the expression of both CYP1 A1 and CYP1A2 transcripts has been demonstrated in liver of 3-MC treated rainbow trout. In the present study induction of CYP1A was investigated by immunoblot analysis in adults and embryos of Xenopus laevis treated with benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). The data obtained showed that polyclonal antibodies, raised against rat cytochrome P-4501A1, recognized a single band with apparent molecular weight between 55 kDa and 66 kDa as rat CYP1A both in adult liver microsomes and embryo homogenates. The assessment of the metabolic activity, performed with ethyl acetate extraction of treated embryo homogenate demonstrated that X. laevis early developmental stages (stage 35 and stage 48) are competent to convert B [a]P into its metabolites. These results suggest that X. laevis is a sensitive model to evaluate fresh water pollution.