Metallothioneins act downstream of insulin signaling to regulate toxicity of outdoor fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) during Spring Festival in Beijing in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT: In this study, we performed the toxicological assessment of outdoor PM_2.5 collected from Beijing during Spring Festival using the in vivo assay system of Caenorhabditis elegans. Acute exposure to outdoor PM_2.5 at a concentration of 10 mg L^-1 and prolonged exposure to outdoor PM_2.5 at concentrations of 0.1-10 mg L^-1 decreased locomotion behavior and caused significant induction of intestinal ROS production. Meanwhile, outdoor PM_2.5 exposure induced significant expression of gene (mtl-1 and mtl-2) encoded metallothioneins in the intestine. Mutation of the mtl-1 or mtl-2 gene resulted in a susceptible property of nematodes to outdoor PM_2.5 toxicity. Genetic assays suggested t

SUBMITTER: Yang R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6060693 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature