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Article Addendum
Lysosomal and Autophagic Reactions as Predictive Indicators of Environmental Impact in Aquatic Animals
Michael N. Moore, J. Icarus Allen, Allan McVeigh and Jenny Shaw
volume 2 | issue 3
July/August/September 2006Pages: 217 - 220
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The lysosomal-autophagic system appears to be a common target for many environmental pollutants as lysosomes accumulate many toxic metals and organic xenobiotics, which perturb normal function and damage the lysosomal membrane. In fact, lysosomal membrane integrity or stability appears to be an effective generic indicator of cellular well-being in eukaryotes: in bivalve molluscs and fish, stability is correlated with many toxicological and pathological endpoints. Prognostic use of adverse lysosomal and autophagic reactions to environmental pollutants has been explored in relation to predicting cellular dysfunction and health in marine mussels, which are extensively used environmental sentinels. Derivation of explanatory frameworks for prediction of pollutant impact on health is a major goal; and we have developed a conceptual mechanistic model linking lysosomal damage and autophagic dysfunction with injury to cells and tissues. This model has also complemented the creation of a cell-based computational model for molluscan hepatopancreatic cells that simulates lysosomal, autophagic and other cellular reactions to pollutants. Experimental and simulated results have also indicated that nutritional deprivation - induced autophagy has a protective function against toxic effects mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Finally, coupled measurement of lysosomal-autophagic reactions and modelling is proposed as a practical toolbox for predicting environmental risk.
Addendum to:
Environmental Prognostics: An Integrated Model Supporting Lysosomal Stress Responses as Predictive Biomarkers of Animal Health Status
M.N. Moore, J.I. Allen and A. McVeigh
Mar Environ Res 2005; In press
We now provide open access to journal articles published online for one year or more. This article may be downloaded at the following link:
Download PDF If the document does not open, please right-click on the link (control-click on a Macintosh) and select the option to save the file to disk.