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Epigenetic and Transcriptional Modifications in Repetitive Elements in Petrol Station Workers Exposed to Benzene and MTBE

Author

Listed:
  • Federica Rota

    (EPIGET, Epidemiology, Epigenetics and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, via San Barnaba 8, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Anastasia Conti

    (Department of Life Sciences, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
    Present address: San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), 20132 Milan, Italy)

  • Laura Campo

    (Occupational Medicine Unit, Fondazione Cà Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Chiara Favero

    (EPIGET, Epidemiology, Epigenetics and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, via San Barnaba 8, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Laura Cantone

    (EPIGET, Epidemiology, Epigenetics and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, via San Barnaba 8, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Valeria Motta

    (EPIGET, Epidemiology, Epigenetics and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, via San Barnaba 8, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Elisa Polledri

    (Occupational Medicine Unit, Fondazione Cà Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Rosa Mercadante

    (EPIGET, Epidemiology, Epigenetics and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, via San Barnaba 8, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Giorgio Dieci

    (Department of Life Sciences, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy)

  • Valentina Bollati

    (EPIGET, Epidemiology, Epigenetics and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, via San Barnaba 8, 20122 Milan, Italy
    Occupational Medicine Unit, Fondazione Cà Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Silvia Fustinoni

    (EPIGET, Epidemiology, Epigenetics and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, via San Barnaba 8, 20122 Milan, Italy
    Occupational Medicine Unit, Fondazione Cà Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

Benzene, a known human carcinogen, and methyl tert -butyl ether (MTBE), not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity, are fuel-related pollutants. This study investigated the effect of these chemicals on epigenetic and transcriptional alterations in DNA repetitive elements. In 89 petrol station workers and 90 non-occupationally exposed subjects the transcriptional activity of retrotransposons (LINE-1, Alu), the methylation on repeated-element DNA, and of H3K9 histone, were investigated in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Median work shift exposure to benzene and MTBE was 59 and 408 µg/m 3 in petrol station workers, and 4 and 3.5 µg/m 3 , in controls. Urinary benzene (BEN-U), S -phenylmercapturic acid, and MTBE were significantly higher in workers than in controls, while trans,trans -muconic acid ( tt -MA) was comparable between the two groups. Increased BEN-U was associated with increased Alu-Y and Alu-J expression; moreover, increased tt -MA was associated with increased Alu-Y and Alu-J and LINE-1 (L1)-5′UTR expression. Among repetitive element methylation, only L1-Pa5 was hypomethylated in petrol station workers compared to controls. While L1-Ta and Alu-YD6 methylation was not associated with benzene exposure, a negative association with urinary MTBE was observed. The methylation status of histone H3K9 was not associated with either benzene or MTBE exposure. Overall, these findings only partially support previous observations linking benzene exposure with global DNA hypomethylation.

Suggested Citation

  • Federica Rota & Anastasia Conti & Laura Campo & Chiara Favero & Laura Cantone & Valeria Motta & Elisa Polledri & Rosa Mercadante & Giorgio Dieci & Valentina Bollati & Silvia Fustinoni, 2018. "Epigenetic and Transcriptional Modifications in Repetitive Elements in Petrol Station Workers Exposed to Benzene and MTBE," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:735-:d:140748
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jeffrey S. Han & Suzanne T. Szak & Jef D. Boeke, 2004. "Transcriptional disruption by the L1 retrotransposon and implications for mammalian transcriptomes," Nature, Nature, vol. 429(6989), pages 268-274, May.
    2. Chatchawit Aporntewan & Chureerat Phokaew & Jittima Piriyapongsa & Chumpol Ngamphiw & Chupong Ittiwut & Sissades Tongsima & Apiwat Mutirangura, 2011. "Hypomethylation of Intragenic LINE-1 Represses Transcription in Cancer Cells through AGO2," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(3), pages 1-13, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Katarina M. Jørgensen & Ellen Færgestad Mosleth & Kristian Hovde Liland & Nancy B. Hopf & Rita Holdhus & Anne-Kristin Stavrum & Bjørn Tore Gjertsen & Jorunn Kirkeleit, 2018. "Gene Expression Response in Peripheral Blood Cells of Petroleum Workers Exposed to Sub-Ppm Benzene Levels," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-18, October.
    2. Isana R. Silva & Manoela C. A. S. Ramos & Lídia M. R. B. Arantes & André V. H. Lengert & Marco A. Oliveira & Fernanda P. Cury & Guilherme Martins Pereira & Aldenor G. Santos & Fernando Barbosa & Pérol, 2019. "Evaluation of DNA Methylation Changes and Micronuclei in Workers Exposed to a Construction Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-14, March.

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