Effects of toxic Microcystis aeruginosa on the expression of Hox genes
in Daphnia similoides sinensis
Abstract
Lake eutrophication and cyanobacterial blooms have become worldwide
environmental issues. Under cyanobacterial blooms (especially
Microcystis), Daphnia spp. can transfer beneficial information to their
offspring in order to improve adaptability. Hox genes are important
regulatory factors of transcription in metazoans, and are involved in
the growth and development of organisms. In this study, the effects of
Microcystis aeruginosa on Hox gene expression in the mothers and
offspring of Daphnia similoides sinensis were investigated using a mixed
diet of M. aeruginosa and Scenedesmus obliquus, in two clones. There
were significant differences in the survival rates of D. similoides
sinensis under different food treatments. Our results suggest that the
offspring produced by D. similoides sinensis mother pre-exposed to toxic
M. aeruginosa had stronger adaptability to M. aeruginosa than those
produced by previously unexposed mother. Additionally, Hox gene
expressions of D. similoides sinensis had obvious differences between
clones under stress of toxic M. aeruginosa.