Triphenyltin alters lipid homeostasis in females of the ramshorn snail Marisa cornuarietis

Environ Pollut. 2009 May;157(5):1714-20. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2008.12.013. Epub 2009 Jan 21.

Abstract

Molluscs are sensitive species to the toxic effects of organotin compounds, particularly to masculinisation. Both tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) have been recently shown to bind to mollusc retinoid X receptor (RXR). If RXR is involved in lipid homeostasis, exposure to TPT would have an immediate effect on endogenous lipids. To test this hypothesis, the ramshorn snail Marisa cornuarietis was exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of TPT (30, 125, 500 ng/L as Sn) in a semi-static water regime for 7 days. Percentage of lipids and total fatty acid content decreased significantly in TPT-exposed females while the activity of peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase, involved in fatty acid catabolism, increased. In addition, fatty acid profiles (carbon chain length and unsaturation degree) were significantly altered in exposed females but not in males. This work highlights the ability of TPT to disrupt lipid metabolism in M. cornuarietis at environmentally realistic concentrations and the higher susceptibility of females in comparison to males.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acyl-CoA Oxidase
  • Animals
  • Disinfectants / toxicity*
  • Fatty Acids / analysis
  • Fatty Acids / chemistry
  • Female
  • Homeostasis
  • Lipid Metabolism / drug effects
  • Lipids / analysis
  • Male
  • Organotin Compounds / toxicity*
  • Oxidoreductases / analysis
  • Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Snails / drug effects*
  • Snails / metabolism
  • Toxicity Tests, Acute
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity*

Substances

  • Disinfectants
  • Fatty Acids
  • Lipids
  • Organotin Compounds
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • triphenyltin
  • Oxidoreductases
  • peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase
  • Acyl-CoA Oxidase