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2C (1) - Biomarkers (TU7/14) Using the zebrafish embryo for mode of action analysis - Acetylcholinesterase inhibition by contaminated groundwater. Küster, Eberhard1, Altenburger, Rolf1, 1 UFZ Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany ABSTRACT- Aim of the project is the analysis of complex contaminated groundwater in terms of embryotoxicity/neurotoxicity using the mortality in zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio) and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition as toxic endpoints. An area near the town of Bitterfeld (South of Berlin, Germany) is a former location of major chemical production for over 100 years - resulting in heavily contaminated groundwater. Due to the complexicity of the exposure situation, chemical analysis of the groundwater alone is not a sufficient tool for toxicicant assessment. Only known and quantitatively dominant contaminants are analysed. No conclusions about possibly relevant ecotoxic effects of occuring substances and their metabolites can be drawn from these data. Preliminary studies showed very high toxicity of groundwater samples from different sites in the area to the zebrafish embryo and to the water flea Daphnia magna - sometimes interpreted as possible neurotoxic effects. Data will be presented to propose the use of an AChE inhibition analysis on the basis of the established zebrafish embryo test. Data to be demonstrated comprise a) results for the characterization of AChE in zebrafish embryos from different developmental stages (32cell to Long Pec, 0,05-6mU/mg protein respectively) and with different substrates (acetylthiocholine iodide, acetyl- Key words: embryotoxicity, zebrafish, acetylcholinesterase, pesticide |
-(methyl)thiocholine iodide, S-butyrylthiocholine iodide and propionylthiocholine iodide) and specific inhibitors (Eserin, iso-OMPA and BW284c51) and b) results from tests using contaminated groundwater known to contain neurotoxic substances. Results will be discussed with respect to feasibility, adaptability and practicability of the zebrafish embryo test for analysis of the neurotoxic potencies of contaminated groundwater.