GENE EXPRESSION STUDIES ON THE GENOTOXIC EFFECTS

ABSTRACT

In this study, gene expression studies was carried out on the African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) exposed to a glass effluent using polymerase chain reaction technology. Juveniles of C. gariepinus were collected from a fish farm located in Benin City and were further acclimatized in the laboratory for a period of seven days before exposure to four different treatment concentrations (5, 10, 20, 25 and 30 %) of the glass effluent for 96 hours and a control. After exposure, RNA was extracted from the fish liver followed by polymerase chain reaction analysis in a molecular laboratory. The results obtained from the polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that there were  significant difference  between the genetic profile of nine genes (Hsp 70, CamkIIg,CYP11A,MEL1C, FOXL2, Dmrt1, 1L-1B, HSD17B and GH) in the treatment groups compared to the control. The findings in this study indicate that the glass effluents contain toxic substances which are responsible for the changes observed. The changes in genetic profile of C. gariepinus could disrupt the normal physiological processes in the organism. Therefore, it is recommended that the industrial effluent be treated before disposing into aquatic environment.