TitleGene co-expression network analysis in zebrafish reveals chemical class specific modules.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
AuthorsShankar, P, McClure, RS, Waters, KM, Tanguay, RL
JournalBMC Genomics
Volume22
Issue1
Pagination658
Date Published2021 Sep 13
ISSN1471-2164
KeywordsAnimals, Base Sequence, Embryo, Nonmammalian, Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon, Transcriptome, Zebrafish, Zebrafish Proteins
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Zebrafish is a popular animal model used for high-throughput screening of chemical hazards, however, investigations of transcriptomic mechanisms of toxicity are still needed. Here, our goal was to identify genes and biological pathways that Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor 2 (AHR2) Activators and flame retardant chemicals (FRCs) alter in developing zebrafish. Taking advantage of a compendium of phenotypically-anchored RNA sequencing data collected from 48-h post fertilization (hpf) zebrafish, we inferred a co-expression network that grouped genes based on their transcriptional response.

RESULTS: Genes responding to the FRCs and AHR2 Activators localized to distinct regions of the network, with FRCs inducing a broader response related to neurobehavior. AHR2 Activators centered in one region related to chemical stress responses. We also discovered several highly co-expressed genes in this module, including cyp1a, and we subsequently show that these genes are definitively within the AHR2 signaling pathway. Systematic removal of the two chemical types from the data, and analysis of network changes identified neurogenesis associated with FRCs, and regulation of vascular development associated with both chemical classes. We also identified highly connected genes responding specifically to each class that are potential biomarkers of exposure.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, we created the first zebrafish chemical-specific gene co-expression network illuminating how chemicals alter the transcriptome relative to each other. In addition to our conclusions regarding FRCs and AHR2 Activators, our network can be leveraged by other studies investigating chemical mechanisms of toxicity.

DOI10.1186/s12864-021-07940-4
Alternate JournalBMC Genomics
PubMed ID34517816
PubMed Central IDPMC8438978
Grant ListP30 ES030287 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
P42 ES016465 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
T32 ES007060 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States