Effects of oil compounds and persistent organic pollution (POP) on the phospholipid composition and membrane fluidity in Atlantic cod.

The aim of this project is to investigate the mechanisms behind the changes in phospholipid composition that have been observed in the cell membranes of cod and other fish after exposure to oil compounds. The project will combine studies on wild fish from the North Sea and laboratory fish from exposure experiments. We will examine the detailed lipid composition (including molecular species) and membrane fluidity of liver cells from cod exposed to alkylphenols (AP), produced water (PW), the water-accommoda ted fraction of oil (WAF), and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) (chlorinated, brominated and fluorinated organic pollutants). Toxicogenomics and microarrays will be used to study effects on the transcription of lipid-synthesizing enzymes and gen es involved in protection against oxidative stress. In addition to the in vivo experiments, in vitro studies on both primary liver cells and cells lines will be used to study how xenobiotic effects the activity and selectivity of important enzymes involve d in phospholipid synthesis and metabolism.