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Genetic revelation of hexavalent chromium toxicity using Caenorhabditis elegans as a biosensor

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 24, pages 180–184 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

The interaction of heavy metals such as hexavalent chromium, Cr (VI) with the environment drastically influences living organisms leading to an ecological imbalance. Caenorhabditis elegans, a saprophytic nematode having 60–80% homology with human genes offers a distinct advantage to be used as a biosensor for the appraisal of heavy metal-induced environmental toxicity and risk monitoring. The present study examines the toxicity effects of K2Cr2O7 as Cr (VI) on stress-related gene expression and morphometric parameters of C. elegans under in vitro conditions to identify genetic markers for environmental pollution. Alterations in growth and modified gene expression were observed in Cr (VI)-exposed N2 worms. The 24-h median lethal concentration for Cr (VI) was observed as 158.5 mgl−1. Use of the responses of stress-related gene expression suggests that C. elegans can be used as an efficient biosensor for figuring out the precise route of Cr (VI)-induced environmental toxicity in a quick, simple, and inexpensive manner.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Director CIMAP (CSIR), Lucknow, India for providing necessary facilities. Senior author (SKS) is also thankful to Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India for providing grant-in-aid.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbial Technology and Nematology Department, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Shilpi Khare Saikia, Rupali Gupta, Aakanksha Pant & Rakesh Pandey

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  1. Shilpi Khare Saikia
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  2. Rupali Gupta
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  3. Aakanksha Pant
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  4. Rakesh Pandey
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Correspondence to Rakesh Pandey.

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Saikia, S., Gupta, R., Pant, A. et al. Genetic revelation of hexavalent chromium toxicity using Caenorhabditis elegans as a biosensor. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 24, 180–184 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2013.66

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