Toxic effects in juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicas (Selenka) exposure to benzo[a]pyrene

Abstract To understand the physiological response of sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicas , were exposed to different concentration of benzo[ a ]pyrene (B[ a ]P), and the growth, survival, antioxidant enzyme (SOD and T-AOC) activities were tested. Meanwhile, the quantitative real-time PCR technology was utilized to quantize the expression of immune related genes (i.e. innate immune genes, HSP genes and anti-oxidative genes). In our result, the SOD activity and T-AOC activity were induced at lower level of B[ a ]P (0.03 μg/L), however, a reduction of SOD activity and T-AOC activity were observed at relatively high B[ a ]P concentration (3 and 9 μg/L) for A. japonicas. Furthermore, the distinct expression patterns of selected immune-related genes were detected among different concentrations, and a general trend of down-regulation was observed at higher concentration. Especially, lysozyme almost showed the highest down-regulation at all concentrations, followed by NOS. Collectively, the growth, survival and expression signatures of immune related genes reflected an overall suppression of innate immunity in sea cucumber following exposure. Future functional studies should be carried out to characterize the detailed roles of immune genes and their related responses under B[ a ]P toxicity. Additionally, better understanding of the molecular indicators governing the healthy status under environmental toxicity would facilitate a healthy and sustainable culture program.