Transcriptomic fingerprints of C. elegans exposed to sodium perchlorate.

The excessive perchlorate utilization as an oxidizer in rocket propellants and blasting agents had led to the contamination of surface and ground waters. This chemical is known to compete with iodine for binding to the thyroid membrane receptors potentially causing hypothyroidism and fetal retardation in pregnant women. Nevertheless, to date, its biological effects are not completely understood. We have investigated the molecular mechanisms responsive to perchlorate in the nematode C. elegans to nominate a candidate gene for further peruse in the development of a C.elegans perchlorate biosensor. Perchlorate (1 mg/mL) affected the transcriptional response of Regulation of developmental process, growth, defense mechanisms and stress response, among other biological processes. The global transcriptome was compared in wild type N2 raised in the presence or absence of sodium perchlorate at the concentration of 1 mg/mL for for 48 hours from L1 stage.