Meeting Abstract

63.6  Saturday, Jan. 5  Contaminant Effects in Fish: Development of Multiple Measures Screening Approaches KELLEY, K.M.*; REYES, J.A.; California State University, Long Beach; Pacific Coast Environmental Conservancy kmkelley@csulb.edu

In studies in urban California waters, observed environmental effects in wild fish often reflect specific types of environmental conditions, including presence of chemical contaminants. Since different types or classes of chemicals typically act through distinct phenotypic pathways, development of multiple phenotypic measures have strong potential to serve as screening and diagnostic tools to predict types of active environmental constituents and their health effects. It has been the goal of these studies to develop multiple-measures approaches using proteomics technologies combined with measures of endocrine and physiological status. Proteomes of liver and other tissues are being characterized to discover proteins whose expression is altered in relation to different kinds of contaminant exposures and endocrine system status (endocrine disruption). Since all parameters are measured within the same individuals, it is possible to evaluate contaminant exposures, effects, and endocrine system status using correlative and multivariate statistical analyses. Identification of new protein biomarkers and their expression differences point to changes in toxicological processes, oxidative stress response, hepatic fuel metabolism, and altered signaling (endocrine, intracellular), among others. The multiple-measures approach is providing new insight on the phenotype of animals affected by different kinds of environmental contaminants, and shows promise as a powerful, integrative diagnostic tool to evaluate environmental effects. [Supported by NOAA/USC Sea Grant Program]