Cloning and molecular characterization of estrogen-related receptor (ERR) and vitellogenin genes in the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis exposed to bisphenol A and its structural analogues

Although it has previously been shown that bisphenol (BP) analogues may interfere with the normal hormonal regulation by acting as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), little information is available on effects of BP analogues in invertebrates, particularly on cladocerans. In the present study, we identified estrogen-related receptors (EER), vitellogenin (VTG), and VTG receptor (VtgR) from the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis, and examined the effects of BPA and the substitutes, BPF and BPS, in different sublethal concentrations. Gene expression varied with time well matched with brooding, suggesting that DcEER, DcVTG, and DcVtgR play a role in reproduction in D. celebensis. qRT-PCR analysis showed that BPA and its substitutes differently modulated mRNA expressions of DcEER, DcVTG, and DcVtgR, indicating that these compounds adversely affect the normal reproduction-related pathway. This study facilitates better understanding of the molecular mode of action of BP analogues on the reproductive system of D. celebensis.