Toxicities of microcystin LR on caenorhabditis elegans and their offspring

In the present study, we investigated the toxicities of microcystin LR (MCLR) to Caenorhabditis elegans and the transferability of these toxicities from parents to offspring. Our results showed that the endpoints of life span and body length were not sensitive to low concentration of MCLR exposure (<;10 μg/L). However, MCLR exposure can lead to serious reproduction and locomotion defects in a concentration-dependent manner and these defects can be to some extent transferred to their offspring. Therefore, the hazards induced by MCLR to C. elegans may be more serious than previously estimated. Toxicities of MCLR and their transfer to offspring (F1) may severely impede the development of C. elegans both at individual and population levels.

I. Introduction

Microcystins (MCs) are a group of cyclic heptapeptide hepatotoxins produced by toxic bloom-forming cyanobacteria. Up to now, more than 70 variants of MC have been identified, of which microcystin LR (MCLR) is one of the most frequently encountered. The occurrence of M Cs in eutrophic lakes, rivers, and reservoirs has been reported during the last two decades all over the world [1], [2]. MCs not only can cause acute toxicity, but also may promote tumour growth in the human liver through chronic exposure to low concentrations of MCs in drinking water supplies. The growing concern about the acute and chronic effects of MCs has resulted in the World Health Organization (WHO) setting a guideline value of for MCLR in drinking water [3].