The multi-level effect of chlorpyrifos during clownfish metamorphosis

• Published in: Molecular and cellular endocrinology Vol. 603; p. 112535
• Main Authors: Reynaud, Mathieu, Vianello, Stefano, Lee, Shu-Hua, Salis, Pauline, Wu, Kai, Frederich, Bruno, Lecchini, David, Besseau, Laurence, Roux, Natacha, Laudet, Vincent
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01.06.2025; Elsevier; Elsevier Ireland Ltd
• Subjects: Amphiprion; Anatomie (cytologie, histologie, embryologie...) & physiologie; Anatomy (cytology, histology, embryology...) & physiology; Animals; Aquatic sciences & oceanology; Biochemistry; Biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology; Biochimie, biophysique & biologie moléculaire; Chlorpyrifos - toxicity; Clownfishes; Endocrine disruption; Endocrinology; Environmental Sciences; Larva - drug effects; Larva - growth & development; Life Sciences; Metamorphosis; Metamorphosis, Biological - drug effects; Molecular Biology; Perciformes - genetics; Perciformes - growth & development; Pesticide; Pomacentridae; Sciences aquatiques & océanologie; Sciences du vivant; Signal Transduction - drug effects; Thyroid hormones; Thyroid Hormones - metabolism; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Zoologie; Zoology; Endocrine disruption; Thyroid hormones; Pesticide; Clownfishes; Metamorphosis
• ISSN: 0303-7207; 1872-8057; 1872-8057; 0303-7207
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2025.112535

Chemical pollution in coastal waters, particularly from agricultural runoff organophosphates, poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems, including coral reefs. Pollutants such as chlorpyrifos (CPF) are widely used in agriculture and have adverse effects on marine life and humans. In this paper, we investigate the impact of CPF on the metamorphosis of a coral reef fish model, the clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris, focusing on the disruption of thyroid hormone (TH) signalling pathways. Our findings reveal that by reducing TH levels, CPF exposure impairs the formation of characteristic white bands in clownfish larvae, indicative of metamorphosis progression. Interestingly, TH treatment can rescue these effects, establishing a direct causal link between CPF effect and TH disruption. The body shape changes occurring during metamorphosis are also impacted by CPF exposure, shape changes are less advanced in CPF-treated larvae than in control conditions. Moreover, transcriptomic analysis elucidates CPF's effects on all components of the TH signalling pathway. Additionally, CPF induces systemic effects on cholesterol and vitamin D metabolism, DNA repair, and immunity, highlighting its broader TH-independent impacts. Pollutants are often overlooked in marine ecosystems, particularly in coral reefs. Developing and enhancing coral reef fish models, such as Amphiprion ocellaris (Cuvier, 1830), offers a more comprehensive understanding of how chemical pollution affects these ecosystems. This approach provides new insights into the complex mechanisms underlying CPF toxicity during fish metamorphosis, shedding light on the broader impact of environmental pollutants on marine organisms. [Display omitted] •Chlorpyrifos (CPF) exposure impairs the formation of characteristic white bands in clownfish larvae, indicative of metamorphosis progression.•During metamorphosis, clownfish larvae lose their elongated body shape and transform into miniature ovoid-shaped adults, these shape changes are less advanced in CPF-treated larvae.•CPF induces systemic effects on cholesterol and vitamin D metabolism, DNA repair, and immunity, highlighting its broader TH-independent impacts.