A comparison of the dose and time response of CYP1A1 mRNA induction in chemically treated Atlantic tomcod from two populations

Quantification of cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) mRNA levels in environmentally exposed Atlantic tomcod (Microgadus tomcod) has revealed significantly induced gene expression in fish from contaminated locales including the Hudson River, New York, and the Miramichi River, New Brunswick. In order to calibrate this response, determine its sensitivity and dose-responsiveness, levels of hepatic CYP1A1 mRNA were quantified in depurated Atlantic tomcod intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with various concentrations of: beta-naphthoflavone (beta-NF), the PAH benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), the non-ortho coplanar PCB congener-3,3',4,4'- tetrachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC: PCB-77), and the dioxin 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD). Additionally, the rates of CYP1A1 mRNA induction and disappearance were quantified in depurated Atlantic tomcod i.p. injected with single doses of these chemicals and sacrificed at times ranging up to 72 days. Levels of CYP1A1 mRNA were dose-responsive for all four chemicals with maximum induction ranging from 50- to 460-fold and first significant induction being observed in the low mg per kg fish (wet weight) range for beta-NF and B[a]P, mu g/kg range for PCB-77 and ng/kg range for 2,3,7,8-TCDD. However, while tomcod from the Miramichi River responded to both PAHs and halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (HAHs), Hudson River tomcod responded only to PAHs indicating population level differences in CYP1A1 mRNA inducibility in tomcod. Furthermore, differences in the responsiveness to PAHs and HAHs suggest that more than one molecular mechanism mediates CYP1A1 transcription in Atlantic tomcod. Kinetic profiles of CYP1A1 mRNA induction differed greatly between tomcod treated with HAHs and PAHs. Initial induction occurred within hours of treatment with PAHs and peaked after 1-3 days, compared to initial induction 4-7 days after treatment with HAHs, and maximum induction not occuring for up to 72 days after exposure. Quantification of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (HAH) in the livers of tomcod caught in the Hudson and Miramichi Rivers confirmed exposure and accumulation of known CYP1A1 inducing chemicals including 2,3,7,8-TCDD at concentrations as high as 1.5 mu g/kg lipid (554 ng/kg w.w.) and PCB-77 at concentrations as high as 108 mu g/kg lipid (15 mu g/kg w.w.). These results suggest that hepatic CYP1A1 mRNA concentration can be a useful bioindicator of exposure to some aromatic hydrocarbon compounds in the aquatic environment and that profiles of gene induction and disappearance may help identify environmental inducers provided that gene responsiveness is also evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.