Neurotoxicological evaluation of microcystin-LR exposure at environmental relevant concentrations on nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Previous studies have not examined the adverse effects of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) at environmental relevant concentrations on the development and functions of nervous system. The neurotoxic effects of MC-LR exposure on neurotransmitter systems were investigated in Caenorhabditis elegans. After exposing L1 larvae to 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μg l(-1) of MC-LR for 8 and 24 h, the adverse effects on GABAergic, cholinergic, serotonergic, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic neurons were examined. The expression levels of genes required for development and functions of GABAergic neurons were further investigated. Body bend frequency and head thrash frequency decreased significantly after MC-LR exposure for 8 h at concentrations more than 1 μg l(-1) and after MC-LR exposure for 24 h at concentrations more than 0.1 μg…