Meeting Abstract
1.11 Monday, Jan. 4 Ecotoxicoproteomics: Protein Expression Profiles of Fish in Response to the Contaminant 4-Nonylphenol JOHNSON, Sarah/E*; DIEHL, Jennifer/M; TOMANEK, Lars; Cal Poly, SLO; Cal Poly, SLO; Cal Poly, SLO SeJohnso@calpoly.edu
4-Nonylphenol is a documented endocrine disruptor, but our data is the first to suggest that nonylphenol may be causing tumors in a population of fish in Morro Bay, CA. Nonylphenol is a persistent end product of the biodegradation of alkylphenol ethoxylates, a group of chemicals that are widely used as surfactants in household and commercial products. Small amounts of nonylphenol introduced into the water can accumulate in sediment and organisms, biomagnifying up the food chain. Through chemical analysis we found high levels of 4-nonylphenol in tissues of the arrow goby, Clevlandia ios, as well as in sediment and water from the mud flats in Morro Bay. Upon visual inspection since 2006 we have found an average gross gonadal tumor rate of 6.0% in females while our histopathological data indicate gonadal tumors in both males and females, as well as severe lipidosis and glycogen depletion in the liver. We are using proteomics to identify biomarkers of chemical contamination and tumorigenic effects of 4-nonylphenol. Through in-lab exposure to 4-nonylphenol, and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis we tracked the simultaneous changes in expression proteins from the arrow goby liver. Proteins of interest have been identified using MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry, many of which have been indicated in tumor research. Currently, the EPA is being petitioned to regulate nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Persistent organic pollutants are not easily detected by traditional water quality methods, though the biological effects are present. The biomarkers we developed can be used for early detection of nonylphenol in the environment, as well as to increase the understanding of cellular effects of anthropogenic organic pollutants.
