Genetic and genotoxic impacts in the oyster Crassostrea gigas exposed to the harmful alga Alexandrium minutum

Abstract

Genotoxic, genetic and behavioral impacts of the paralytic shellfish toxin (PST)-producing alga Alexandrium minutum on the oyster Crassostrea gigas were assessed using RAPD-PCR, qPCR and valve activity recording. Oysters were exposed to a dose mimicking an algal bloom (≈1600 cells ml(-1)) for 48 h. Results indicate a rapid and sustained behavioral disturbance. Animals remained open but exhibited reduced valve-opening amplitude, correlated to the amount of toxin accumulated in the digestive gland. They also exhibited increased micro-closures. In the gills, gene transcription levels were modified: a transcriptional repression of genes involved in oxidative and mitochondrial metabolism, endogenous clock, immunity and detoxification processes was observed. DNA impacts, both quantitative and qualitative, were observed as well. Indeed, both the PCR product profile and the number of hybridization sites for the RAPD probe OPB7 were modified. These results indicate genotoxic effects and gene repression in C. gigas following behavioral disturbance by A. minutum.

Keywords: Gene expression; Genotoxicity; Harmful algal bloom; Oyster; Saxitoxin.