Toxicological impacts and likely protein targets of bisphenol A in Paramecium caudatum

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical agent widely used in plastic production and a well-known ubiquitous endocrine disruptor, frequently associated with a series of reproductive, developmental, and transgenerational impacts over wildlife, livestocks, and humans. Although widely studied, toxicological data on the effects of BPA are mostly restricted to mammalian models, remaining largely underexplored for other groups of organisms such as protists, which represents a considerable proportion of eukaryotic diversity. Here, we used acute end-point toxicological assay to evaluate the impacts of BPA over the survival of the cosmopolitan Paramecium caudatum; and a proteome-wide inverted virtual-screening (IVS) to predict the most likely P. caudatum proteins and pathways affected by BPA. This xenobiotic exerts a time-dependent effect over P. caudatum survival, which may be a consequence of impairments to multiple core cellular functions. We discuss the potential use of this ciliate as a biosensor for environmental BPA and as a new model organism to study the general impacts of this plasticizer agent over Eukaryotes. Finally, our data stress the relevance of bioinformatic methods to leverage the current knowledge on the molecular impacts of environmental contaminants over a diversity of biological systems.

Study of the biocidal properties of a new agent based on modified bee parchment

The problem of prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases of infectious etiology of calves is still relevant. Recently, bee products (honey, bee venom, bee parchment, propolis, royal jelly) have been used for this purpose. Taking into account the unique properties of beekeeping products, we have developed a new biologically active agent based on modified bee parchment. The developed product is made by alkaline hydrolysis of 3-4 % solution of sodium hydroxide of bee parchment and contains a complex of biologically active substances. In order to accelerate the study of the effect of the developed product on living organisms, a model of using the ciliated protistic organism Paramecium caudatum, inhabiting freshwater reservoirs, was proposed. The aim of the study was to study the biocidal properties of the developed agent of the biological model. The study of the effect of a new agent based on modified bee parchment was carried out according to the methodological recommendations “Screening of bio-stimulating and biocidal substances (adaptogens, bactericides and other drugs)” on a model of a free-living infusoria slipper Paramecium caudatum. As a result of the study, it was found that the developed agent has pronounced biocidal properties (similar to widely used antibacterial drugs). In order to study the cytotoxic and ecotoxic effects of the developed medium, it is necessary to conduct a number of additional studies to determine their comprehensive effect on protistic organisms as a test laboratory model.