A mollusk VDR/PXR/CAR-like (NR1J) nuclear receptor provides insight into ancient detoxification mechanisms

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Cruzeiro, C (Author) Other; Lopes Marques, M (Author) Other; Ruivo, R (Author) Other; Rodrigues Oliveira, N (Author) Other; Santos, MM (Author) FCUP; rocha, mj (Author) ICBAS; rocha, e (Author) ICBAS; Filipe F C Castro (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Aquatic Toxicology

Vol. 174

Pages: 61-69

ISSN: 0166-445X

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 16 Citations

Scopus - 17 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-79C

DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2016.02.007

Abstract (EN): The origin and diversification of the metazoan endocrine systems represents a fundamental research issue in biology. Nuclear receptors are critical components of these systems. A particular group named VDR/PXR/CAR (NR1I/J) is central in the mediation of detoxification responses. While orthologues have been thoroughly characterized in vertebrates, a sparse representation is currently available for invertebrates. Here, we provide the first isolation and characterization of a lophotrochozoan protostome VDR/PXR/CAR nuclear receptor (NR1J), in the estuarine bivalve the peppery furrow shell (Scrobicularia piano). Using a reporter gene assay, we evaluated the xenobiotic receptor plasticity comparing the human PXR with the S. plana NR1J beta. Our results show that the molluscan receptor responds to a natural toxin (okadaic acid) in a similar fashion to that reported for other invertebrates. In contrast, the pesticide esfenvalerate displayed a unique response, since it down regulated transactivation at higher concentrations, while for triclosan no response was observed. Additionally, we uncovered lineage specific gene duplications and gene loss in the gene group encoding NRs in protostomes with likely impacts on the complexity of detoxification mechanisms across different phyla. Our findings pave the way for the development of multi-specific sensor tools to screen xenobiotic compounds acting via the NR1I/J group.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9