Cell-specific CYP1A expression and benzo[a]pyrene adduct formation in gills of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) following CYP1A induction in the laboratory and in the field.

The effect of cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) induction on cell-specific benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) adduct formation was studied in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) gills. Fish preexposed to beta-naphthoflavone (betaNF) or caged in a polluted river were exposed to waterborne 3H-benzo[a]pyrene (3H-BaP). The 3H-benzo[a]pyrene adducts in the gill filaments were localized by autoradiography and CYP1A protein by immunohistochemistry. Ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity was measured using a gill filament-based ex vivo assay. Branchial 3H-BaP binding and EROD activity were enhanced by exposure to betaNF or to the river water, and completely blocked by the CYP1A inhibitor ellipticine. The predominant sites of adduct formation were in epithelium of the secondary lamellae and in epithelium of the efferent edge of the gill filament. In betaNF-exposed fish, the strongest CYP1A immunoreactivity was observed in differentiating cells and in pillar cells. In fish caged in the polluted river, strong CYP1A immunoreactivity was found in most cells in the secondary lamellae, whereas the primary lamellae were almost devoid of immunoreactivity. Our results reveal a discrepancy between the localization of CYP1A protein and BaP adducts in the gill. Consequently, other factors, such as bioavailability of waterborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to the target cells, are important for the localization of PAH adducts in the gill.