Effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on osteoclasts and osteoblasts in the scales of zebrafish

It has been reported that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) act on calcified tissue and suppress osteoblastic activity in the scales of teleost fish. In the present study, the differentially-expressed genes in the zebrafish scales treated with benzo[c]phenanthrene (BcP), a kind of PAH, or its metabolite 3-hydroxybenzo[c]phenanthrene (3-OHBcP) were investigated using GeneChip® oligonucleotide microarrays. Zebrafish scales were used. The scales were incubated at 15 °C for 6 h in Leibovitz's L-15 medium (Invitrogen, Grand Island, NY, USA) with benzo[c]phenanthrene (BcP: 1 nM) or 3-hydroxybenzo[c]phenanthrene (3-OHBcP: 1 nM). Total RNA samples were prepared from the scales, and quality of the RNA was analyzed using a Bioanalyzer 2100. Gene expression was analyzed by an Affymetrix GeneChip® system with a GeneChip Zebrafish Genome array. Sample preparation for array hybridization was carried out as described in the manufacturer’s instructions.