Effects of crude oil exposure and elevated temperature on the liver transcriptome of polar cod (Boreogadus saida)

• Acute oil exposure induces rapid liver transcriptome changes in polar cod.
• Induced genes play key roles in xenobiotic detoxification, protein stress and immunity.
• Stronger upregulation of multiple genes at 11 °C compared to 4 °C
• FGF7 and AhRR identified as novel biomarkers for monitoring oil spill.
• FGF7 may protect the liver of aglomerular fish from accumulated biliary toxicants.

Petroleum-related activities in the Arctic have raised concerns about the adverse effects of potential oil spill on the environment and living organisms. Polar cod plays a key role in the Arctic marine ecosystem and is an important species for monitoring oil pollution in this region. We examined potential interactions of oil pollution and global warming by analysing liver transcriptome changes in polar cod exposed to crude oil at elevated temperature. Adult males and females were kept at high (11 °C) or normal (4 °C) temperature for 5 days before exposure to mechanically dispersed crude oil for 2 days followed by recovery in clean sea water for 11 days at the two temperatures. Genome-wide microarray analysis of liver samples revealed numerous differentially expressed genes induced by uptake of oil as confirmed by increased levels of bile polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites. The hepatic response included genes playing important roles in xenobiotic detoxification and closely related biochemical processes, but also of importance for protein stress response, cell repair and immunity. Though magnitude of transcriptome responses was similar at both temperatures, the upregulated expression of cyp1a1 and several chaperone genes was much stronger at 11 °C. Most gene expression changes returned to basal levels after recovery. The microarray results were validated by qPCR measurement of eleven selected genes representing both known and novel biomarkers to assess exposure to anthropogenic threats on polar cod. Strong upregulation of the gene encoding fibroblast growth factor 7 is proposed to protect the liver of polar fish with aglomerular kidneys from the toxic effect of accumulated biliary compounds. The highly altered liver transcriptome patterns after acute oil exposure and recovery suggests rapid responses in polar cod to oil pollutants and the ability to cope with toxicity in relatively short time.