Open AccessMaternal methylmercury exposure changes the proteomic profile of the offspring’s salivary glands: Prospects on translational toxicology
Author(s) -
Priscila Cunha Nascimento,
Walessa Alana Bragança Aragão,
Leonardo Oliveira Bittencourt,
Aline Dionízio,
Marilia A. R. Buzalaf,
María Elena Crespo-López,
Rafael Rodrigues Lima
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0258969
Subject(s) - offspring , methylmercury , lactation , pregnancy , physiology , biology , proteomics , andrology , medicine , saliva , endocrinology , biochemistry , ecology , genetics , bioaccumulation , gene
Background Methylmercury (MeHg) remains a public health issue since developing organisms are particularly vulnerable to this environmental contaminant. This study investigated the effect of maternal MeHg exposure on the modulation of proteomic profile of parotid (PA), submandibular (SM), and sublingual (SL) glands of offspring rats. Materials and methods Pregnant Wistar rats were daily exposed to 40 μg/kg MeHg during both gestational and lactation periods. The proteomic profiles of the major salivary glands of the offspring rats were analyzed through mass spectrometry. Results The offspring rats exposed to MeHg showed significant alterations in the proteomic profiles of the PA, SM, and SL glands. Altered proteins were associated with cytoskeleton components, tissue morphogenesis, and response to stimulus and stress. Conclusion This original study showed that maternal MeHg exposure significantly modulates the expression of proteins and induces alterations in the proteomic profiles of developing salivary glands.