Gene expression analysis and classification of mode of toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Escherichia coli

Yeon Seok Kim, Jiho Min, Han Na Hong, Ji Hyun Park, Kyeong Seo Park, Man Bock Gu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Escherichia coli is known to respond to certain toxic chemicals through an increased expression of various stress genes. In this study, therefore, the expression of recA, katG, fabA and grpE genes was used as a representative for DNA, oxidative, membrane and protein damage, respectively, after E. coli was exposed to different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), i.e., phenanthrene, naphthalene and benzo[a]pyrene. To accomplish this, the expression levels of these four genes were quantified using a real-time RT-PCR analysis when E. coli cultures were under stressful conditions, such as those caused by an exposure to mitomycin C, hydrogen peroxide and phenol. It was found that the primary toxic effect of each chemical is clearly seen when the expression levels of the different genes are compared. Tests with the PAHs showed naphthalene and benzo[a]pyrene to be genotoxic, while phenanthrene had no clear effect on the expression of any of these genes. Based on these results, the effects due to these toxic chemicals and the extent of each stress can be evaluated with ease using the expression levels of different stress responsive genes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1243-1248
Number of pages6
JournalChemosphere
Volume66
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007 Jan

Keywords

  • Gene expression analysis
  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
  • Real-time RT-PCR
  • Stress specific responsive gene

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Chemistry(all)
  • Pollution
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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