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Information Brochure (pdf) - Physiology and Neurobiology ...

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Joseph F. Crivello<br />

marine toxicology <strong>and</strong> genetics<br />

The goal of my research program is to deepen our<br />

underst<strong>and</strong>ing of how marine organisms protect<br />

themselves against the deleterious effects of anthropogenic<br />

pollutants. Pollutants (or xenobiotics) can<br />

have varied deleterious effects that depend on physical<br />

(such as bioavailability), chemical, biological <strong>and</strong><br />

genetic factors. I focus my attention on the biochemical<br />

<strong>and</strong> genetic effects of pollutants in marine vertebrates<br />

<strong>and</strong> invertebrates. Part of my focus is on the protective<br />

role of metallothionein gene expression as a function<br />

of exposure to heavy metals (such as cadmium,<br />

arsenic <strong>and</strong> zinc). I have examined the nonbiotic <strong>and</strong><br />

biotic factors that affect metallothionein gene expression<br />

in winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) <strong>and</strong><br />

the common mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus). We<br />

have compared the expression of metallothionein<br />

mRNA <strong>and</strong> protein as indicators of heavy metal exposure<br />

<strong>and</strong> use as biomonitors of marine metal pollution.<br />

We have cloned fragments of the metallothionein<br />

cDNA from mummichogs <strong>and</strong> have developed QPCR<br />

(quantitative polymerase chain reaction) technologies<br />

for analysis of mRNA changes. We are continuing our<br />

examination of the role of metallothionein in additional<br />

organisms <strong>and</strong> at the level of gene expression.<br />

I am also interested in the role of cytochrome<br />

P450-mediated metabolism of xenobiotics in marine<br />

vertebrates. Cytochrome P450s are a family of hemecontaining<br />

monoxygenases involved in anabolic <strong>and</strong><br />

catabolic reactions of natural products (such as steroids)<br />

as well as metabolism of pollutants to less toxic,<br />

water-soluble forms. I am interested in two isozymes<br />

of the P450 superfamily, CYP 1A1 <strong>and</strong> CYP 2E1,<br />

which are responsible for the metabolism of polycyclic<br />

aromatic hydrocarbons <strong>and</strong> small volatile organic<br />

molecules, respectively. We have cloned cDNA for<br />

these enzymes <strong>and</strong> are in the process of cloning the<br />

genes for both isozymes from winter flounder. We<br />

have looked at the expression of these activities as

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