{
  "abstract": "Metal(loid) contamination in aquatic ecosystems, particularly the Loa River in Chile, poses significant environmental and health challenges. This study investigated the molecular impacts of such contamination by exposing zebrafish (Danio rerio) to sediments from pre-impact and severely impacted zones of the Loa River, utilizing transcriptomic analysis of zebrafish liver. Sediment characterization confirmed arsenic as the main driver of contamination, with As concentrations significantly higher at La Finca. Our findings reveal a clear and distinct cascade of molecular responses in fish exposed to impacted sediments, which provides evidence for an Adverse Outcome Pathway. This AOP commences with Molecular Initiating Events, including significant differential expression of genes related to metal adsorption and homeostasis (slc31a1, slc40a1; FDR-adjusted q < 0.05; p < 0.05 for IT7 vs C0 and IT7 vs PIT7), signifying direct perturbations in intracellular metal regulation. This is followed by Key Events characterized by heightened cellular stress, evidenced by significant upregulation of xbp1, xbp1a, xbp1b, and hsp90a/hspd1 (IT7 vs C0; p < 0.05), consistent with oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction, as well as hypoxia-like conditions. Progressing further, significant differential expression of angiogenesis-related genes (ptprb, mib1, adam10a, foxc1a; p < 0.05) suggests activation of tissue remodeling processes. The cascade culminates in alterations of genes associated with early carcinogenic signaling, including epigenetic regulation (hdac1) and genomic instability (rassf1, top2b; FDR q < 0.05; p < 0.05). This research demonstrates the power of transcriptomics to differentiate the biological impact of contaminated sediments from pre-impact conditions, offering a detailed molecular fingerprint of sublethal effects crucial for identifying early warning signals of environmental degradation and understanding potential human health impacts.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Laboratorio de Toxicología Acuática (AQUATOX), Instituto de Ciencias Naturales Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile",
    "Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Aplicadas mención Sistemas Acuáticos, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile",
    "Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad del Alba, Antofagasta, Chile",
    "Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales “Alexander von Humboldt”, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile",
    "Biocontrol Research Laboratory, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Nataly Lobos-Parra"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Natalia V. Leiva"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Giovanni Larama"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Mariella Rivas"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Rodrigo Orrego"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/a7cy9yegs9pna.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0356064",
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  "id": "a7cy9yegs9pna",
  "issns": [
    "1932-6203"
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  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0356064",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
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      "openalex",
      "2307|Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology"
    ],
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      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Cell biology/Oxidative stress"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Cell biology/Signal transduction/Cell signaling/Signaling cascades/Stress signaling cascade"
    ],
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      "/Biology and life sciences/Computational biology/Genome analysis/Transcriptome analysis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Genetics/Gene expression"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Genetics/Genomics/Genome analysis/Transcriptome analysis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Eukaryota/Animals/Vertebrates/Fish/Osteichthyes/Zebrafish"
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    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Animal physiology/Vertebrate physiology/Fish physiology"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Animals/Vertebrates/Fish/Osteichthyes/Zebrafish"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Fish biology/Fish physiology"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Earth sciences/Geology/Petrology/Sediment"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Earth sciences/Geology/Sedimentary geology/Sediment"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Physical sciences/Chemistry/Chemical elements/Arsenic"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Animal studies/Experimental organism systems/Animal models/Zebrafish"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Animal studies/Experimental organism systems/Model organisms/Zebrafish"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Model organisms/Zebrafish"
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  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0356064&type=printable",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-09",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/a7cy9yegs9pna.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:30Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0356064",
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      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0356064"
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  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:cell biology",
      "subfield": "cell-biology"
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    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:zoology",
      "subfield": "zoology-behaviour"
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    {
      "field": "earth",
      "origin": "plos:geology",
      "subfield": "geology-geochemistry"
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  "title": "Transcriptomic analysis of zebrafish (Danio rerio) liver exposed to sediments from the Loa River",
  "title_text": "Transcriptomic analysis of zebrafish (Danio rerio) liver exposed to sediments from the Loa River",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:30Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/a7cy9yegs9pna",
  "venue": "PLOS One",
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}