The Effects of Roundup on Tetrahymena thermophila Growth and Cytochrome p450 Gene Expression

Abstract

Roundup is a very common herbicide in the United States, but has been linked to many detrimental health effects and was classified as ‘probably carcinogenic’ by the World Health Organization in 1994. Not much research has been done to elucidate the possible effects on non-cancer gene pathways.The goal of this project was to research the influence that exposure to Roundup has on the growth of Tetrahymena thermophila and the expression of the cytochrome p450 gene. It was hypothesized that Roundup exposure would change the expression of cytochrome p450 gene and would decrease the growth rate of Tetrahymena thermophila. Background research indicated Roundup affected cytochrome p450 gene expression in human placental JPG3 cells that codes for the NADPH-dependent reductase. NADPH-dependent reductase is critical for the synthesis of estrogen and other sex hormones. For the experiment, Tetrahymena was treated with a predetermined dose of Roundup, and growth was measured every 12 hours for 72 hours. After the treatment, RNA was extracted from both a control group and the experimental group treated with Roundup. Real-time quantitative PCR was used in order to determine the level of expression of cytochrome p450.