Expression of Chironomus riparius serine-type endopeptidase gene under di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) exposure

Environmental stressors can induce changes in gene expression that can be useful as biomarkers. To identify potential biomarkers of water quality, we characterized full-length cDNA sequences of the serine-type endopeptidase (SP) gene from Chironomus riparius. Their expression was analyzed during different life-history stages and in response to treatment with various concentrations of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) for short and long periods of time. A comparative molecular and phylogenetic investigation was then conducted among different orders of insects using sequence database analysis. The sequence of the C. riparius SP gene was found to be most closely related to the sequence of SPs isolated from Aedes aegypti. In addition, the basal level of C. riparius SP mRNA was more highly expressed in larvae than in other life-history stages. However, the expression of C. riparius SP was primarily limited to the gut in larvae. When the effects of short-term exposure to DEHP were evaluated, C. riparius SP gene expression decreased within 1 h of treatment, regardless of dose. We also investigated expression of the C. riparius SP gene following long-term DEHP exposure (10 days) and found that it decreased significantly across all DEHP dosages. Finally, the response of the SP gene was more sensitive in C. riparius that were exposed to low concentrations of DEHP than in those that were exposed to high concentrations. These results show that suppression of the C. riparius SP gene by DEHP is as a potential biomarker that could be useful for monitoring aquatic quality.