PHYtoplankton responses to organic COntaminants: the role of CYtochrome P450

Descripción del proyecto

Estudios biogenéticos avanzados para evitar y revertir la contaminación hídrica

El vertido constante de contaminantes orgánicos (CO) al entorno hídrico podría influir sobremanera en el fitoplancton, fundamental para el buen funcionamiento de los ecosistemas acuáticos. Estudios genómicos recientes mostraron varios genes citocromo P450 (CYP) en especies de fitoplancton, y estudios toxicológicos apuntan a su participación en las respuestas del fitoplancton a la exposición a los CO. El proyecto financiado con fondos europeos PHYCOCYP se propone conocer mejor los procesos que rigen la biotransformación de los CO en compuestos de menor toxicidad. Un equipo de investigadores estudiará si la expresión génica de CYP se conserva en distintas clases de fitoplancton expuestas a los CO con distintos métodos de actuación. Los resultados del proyecto ayudarán a evaluar el impacto potencial de los CO sobre el fitoplancton y la puesta en práctica de procesos de biotransformación encaminados a la eliminación de CO y la descontaminación.

Objetivo

Anthropic activities result in a continuous release of Organic Contaminants (OCs) in the aquatic environment and chemical pollution may considerably affect phytoplankton that are photosynthetic microorganisms playing a major role in aquatic ecosystems. Adverse outcomes of OCs on phytoplankton are directly linked to the ability of the organism to face the toxic insult. OCs may be metabolized to less toxic compounds activating poorly understood biotransformation processes. The main objective of the PHYCOCYP project is to improve the mechanistic understanding of biotransformation processes and their role in phytoplankton tolerance to OCs. Among the numerous enzymes involved in xenobiotic biotransformation, a key role is played by Cytochrome P450 (CYPs). CYPs are found in all domains of life and were extensively studied in higher organisms. However, little information is available on the role of CYPs in OC biotransformation and tolerance in phytoplankton. The PHYCOCYP project will address this knowledge gap. Recent genomic studies highlighted the presence of multiple CYP genes in phytoplankton species and toxicological studies indicated their involvement in phytoplankton responses to OC exposure. In the proposed research, an initial screening will investigate whether CYP genes expression is conserved in different phytoplankton classes exposed to OCs with different modes of action. The involvement of CYPs in OC biotransformation and tolerance will be then assessed in a model phytoplankton specie integrating a genetic approach to physiological investigations and metabolic profiling of OC transformation products. Aquatic environment preservation and restoration is one of the main contemporary environmental challenges. Knowledge generated with PHYCOCYP project will help evaluate the potential impact of OC on key organisms of aquatic ecosystems and may serve for the implementation of biotransformation processes for OC removal and pollution remediation.