Abstract
Environmental insults can lead to alteration in DNA methylation of specific genes. To address the role of altered DNA methylation in prediction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure-induced genetic damage, we recruited two populations, including diesel engine exhausts (low-level) and coke oven emissions (high-level) exposed subjects. The positive correlation was observed between the internal exposure marker (1-hydroxypyrene) and the extents of DNA damage (P < 0.05). The methylation of representative genes, including TRIM36, RASSF1a, and MGMT in peripheral blood lymphocytes was quantitatively examined by bisulfite-pyrosequencing assay. The DNA methylation of these three genes in response to PAHs exposure were changed in a CpG-site-specific manner. The identified hot CpG site-specific methylation of three genes exhibited higher predictive power for DNA damage than the respective single genes in both populations. Furthermore, the dose-response relationship analysis revealed a nonlinear U-shape curve of TRIM36 or RASSF1a methylation in combined population, which led to determination of the threshold of health risk. Furthermore, we established a prediction model for genetic damage based on the unidirectional-alteration MGMT methylation levels. In conclusion, this study provides new insight into the application of multiple epi-biomarkers for health risk assessment upon PAHs exposure.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 128538 |
Journal | Journal of Hazardous Materials |
Volume | 431 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 5 2022 |
Keywords
- DNA damage
- DNA methylation
- Epi-biomarkers
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposed subjects
- Risk assessment
- Specific genes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Chemistry
- Waste Management and Disposal
- Pollution
- Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis