Transcriptome and Behavioral Assessment in Larval Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Following Exposure to Perfluorononanoic Acid (PFNA)
Name
genes-17-00558-v2.pdf
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5.32 MB
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Checksum (MD5)
68d007e1a0574966bb43e7f63db58bd9
Author(s)
Avidan, Lev
English, Cole D.
McDonnell, Katie A.
Ivantsova, Emma
Martyniuk, Christopher J.
Date Issued
May 7, 2026
Journal
Genes
Publisher
MDPI
Citation
Avidan, L.; English, C.D.; McDonnell, K.A.; Ivantsova, E.; Martyniuk, C.J. Transcriptome and Behavioral Assessment in Larval Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Following Exposure to Perfluorononanoic Acid (PFNA). Genes 2026, 17, 558.
Version
Final published version
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmentally persistent chemicals widely detected in aquatic systems and drinking water. Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), a long-chain PFAS, has been reported globally in environmental matrices and fish tissues. Although PFNA has been linked to developmental, metabolic, and neurological toxicity, its effects on lipid-related pathways and neurotoxicity remain poorly characterized. Methods: This study evaluated the developmental and neurotoxic effects of PFNA exposure in zebrafish embryos and larvae following a 7-day exposure to environmentally relevant PFNA concentrations. Results: PFNA exposure did not significantly affect survival or deformity rates at the concentrations tested. Apoptosis was significantly increased in larvae exposed to 1 µg/L PFNA compared to controls, whereas reactive oxygen species levels were unaffected. Two concentrations (0.1 µg/L and 10 µg/L) were further examined for transcriptomic responses, and the transcriptome response was largely different for each concentration. Low-dose PFNA exposure primarily affected lipid transport, cholesterol metabolism, sphingolipid signaling, and neurodegeneration-related pathways, whereas high-dose PFNA altered transcripts related to synaptic signaling, axon guidance, and thyroid hormone synthesis. Hypoactivity was observed in the movement of larval zebrafish based on a Visual Motor Response test. Conclusions: Taken together, PFNA exposure induced molecular changes related to neurotoxicity and lipid metabolism in zebrafish, which may contribute to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17050558
