Effects of chronic exposure to low levels of IR on Medaka (Oryzias latipes): a proteomic and bioinformatic approach

Chronic exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) at low doses ( SDS gel electrophoresis, LC-MS/MS mass spectrometry-based approaches and bioinformatic data analytics were used to detect proteomic changes following chronic exposure to moderate/low doses of radiation in adults and normally developed Medaka fish (Oryzias latipes). Significant variations in the abundance of proteins involved in thyroid hormone signaling and lipid metabolism were detected, which could be related to the gonadal regression phenotype observed after 21.04 mGy and 204.3 mGy/day exposure. The global proteomic change was towards overexpression of proteins in muscle and skin, while the opposite effect was observed in internal organs. The present study provides information on the impacts of biologically relevant low doses of IR, which will be useful in future research for the identification of potential biomarkers of IR exposure and allow for a better assessment of radiation biosafety regulations.