Contaminant-Associated Disruption of the Skin Transcriptome in the Endangered St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga.

ABSTRACT: The St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) population in Canada is Endangered, and endocrine disrupting contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and other halogenated flame retardants, have been identified as a threat to the recovery of this population. Here, potential impacts of these contaminants on SLE beluga were evaluated by comparing skin transcriptome profiles and biological pathways between this population and a population less exposed to contaminants (Eastern Beaufort Sea) used as a reference. Differential gene expression analysis indicated potential seasonal or geography-related (Arctic vs temperate regions) effects on the skin transcriptome. Among the gene transcripts that were associated with Σ

SUBMITTER: Simond AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11823453 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature