Enabling Science Support for Better Decision‐Making when Responding to Chemical Spills

Weidhaas, Jennifer; Dietrich, Andrea M.; DeYonker, Nathan J.; Dupont, R. Ryan; Foreman, William T.; Gallagher, Daniel L.; Gallagher, Jennifer E.; Whelton, Andrew J.; Alexander, William N.

doi:10.2134/jeq2016.03.0090

Cited by 22 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…MCHM is not easily degraded biologically because of its low reactivity [6]. In contrast to other well-studied hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane and benzene, the effects of MCHM on metabolism are under studied [7]. Yeast strains exposed to MCHM exhibited increased expression of proteins associated with the membrane, cell wall, and cell structure functions, while MCHM metabolites mainly induced proteins related to antioxidant activity and oxidoreductase activity [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

MCHM Acts as a Hydrotrope, Altering the Balance of Metals in Yeast

Pupo

Ayers

Sherman

et al. 2019

Biol Trace Elem Res

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While drugs and other industrial chemicals are routinely studied to assess risks, many widely used chemicals have not been thoroughly evaluated. One such chemical, 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM), is an industrial coal-cleaning chemical that contaminated the drinking water supply in Charleston, WV, USA in 2014. While a wide range of ailments was reported following the spill, little is known about the molecular effects of MCHM exposure. We used the yeast model to explore the impacts of MCHM on cellular function. Exposure to MCHM dramatically altered the yeast transcriptome and the balance of metals in yeast. Underlying genetic variation in the response to MCHM, transcriptomics and, mutant analysis uncovered the role of the metal transporters, Arn2 and Yke4, to MCHM response. Expression of Arn2, which is involved in iron uptake, was lower in MCHMtolerant yeast and loss of Arn2 further increased MCHM tolerance. Genetic variation within Yke4, an ER zinc transporter, also mediated response to MCHM, and loss of Yke4 decreased MCHM tolerance. The addition of zinc to MCHM-sensitive yeast rescued growth inhibition. In vitro assays demonstrated that MCHM acted as a hydrotrope and prevented protein interactions, while zinc induced the aggregation of proteins. We hypothesized that MCHM altered the structures of extracellular domains of proteins, and the addition of zinc stabilized the structure to maintain metal homeostasis in yeast exposed to MCHM.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

MCHM Acts as a Hydrotrope, Altering the Balance of Metals in Yeast

Pupo

Ayers

Sherman

et al. 2019

Biol Trace Elem Res

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“…More than 300 people in the affected area visited emergency departments with reports of symptoms potentially related to the spill, including mild skin, gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms that resolved with no or minimal treatment [3]. At the time of the spill, MCHM's toxicological data were limited, an issue that have been addressed by different studies focused on understanding the immediate and long-term effects of MCHM on human health and the environment [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of MCHM on yeast metabolism

Pupo

Gallagher

2019

PLoS ONE

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On January 2014 approximately 10,000 gallons of crude 4-Methylcyclohexanemethanol (MCHM) and propylene glycol phenol ether (PPH) were accidentally released into the Elk River, West Virginia, contaminating the tap water of around 300,000 residents. Crude MCHM is an industrial chemical used as flotation reagent to clean coal. At the time of the spill, MCHM's toxicological data were limited, an issue that has been addressed by different studies focused on understanding the immediate and long-term effects of MCHM on human health and the environment. Using S. cerevisiae as a model organism we study the effect of acute exposure to crude MCHM on metabolism. Yeasts were treated with MCHM 550 ppm in YPD for 30 minutes. Polar and lipid metabolites were extracted from cells by a chloroform-methanol-water mixture. The extracts were then analyzed by direct injection ESI-MS and by GC-MS. The metabolomics analysis was complemented with flux balance analysis simulations done with genome-scale metabolic network models (GSMNM) of MCHM treated vs non-treated control. We integrated the effect of MCHM on yeast gene expression from RNA-Seq data within these GSMNM. A total of 215 and 73 metabolites were identified by the ESI-MS and GC-MS procedures, respectively. From these 26 and 23 relevant metabolites were selected from ESI-MS and GC-MS respectively, for 49 unique compounds. MCHM induced amino acid accumulation, via its effects on amino acid metabolism, as well as a potential impairment of ribosome biogenesis. MCHM affects phospholipid biosynthesis, with a potential impact on the biophysical properties of yeast cellular membranes. The FBA simulations were able to reproduce the deleterious effect of MCHM on cellular growth and suggest that the effect of MCHM on ubiquinol:ferricytochrome c reductase reaction, caused by the under-expression of CYT1 gene, could be the driven force behind the observed effect on yeast metabolism and growth.

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“…The selected water tests should be based on information in this report and in consultation with environmental and public health agencies. This water sampling approach is recommended following chemical spills when the composition of materials released is unclear (Horzmann et al , Huang et al , Weidhaas et al , Whelton et al ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical Review: Surface Water and Stormwater Quality Impacts of Cured‐In‐Place Pipe Repairs

Sendesi

Howarter

et al. 2018

Journal AWWA

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Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) technology has been used to rehabilitate sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and drinking water pipes. However, utilities, regulators, and health officials have raised environmental, occupational, and public health concerns regarding chemical emissions into air and water. To better understand emissions into water, available literature was reviewed. Water contamination has been documented in 10 states and Canada because of the release of uncured resin, solvents, manufacturing byproducts, and wastes during and after construction. Odor, fish kill, and drinking water contamination incidents have been reported. The few field-and bench-scale studies available show that a variety of volatile organic compounds and semivolatile organic compounds have been released into water and contamination was detected for several months. CIPP waste was acutely toxic to aquatic organisms. Chemical release is likely influenced by formulation, installation, and environmental conditions. CIPP installation and inspection recommendations were suggested. Studies are needed to develop evidence-based construction and monitoring practices to minimize risks.

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Enabling Science Support for Better Decision‐Making when Responding to Chemical Spills

Cited by 22 publications

References 49 publications

MCHM Acts as a Hydrotrope, Altering the Balance of Metals in Yeast

MCHM Acts as a Hydrotrope, Altering the Balance of Metals in Yeast

Effects of MCHM on yeast metabolism

Critical Review: Surface Water and Stormwater Quality Impacts of Cured‐In‐Place Pipe Repairs

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