Gene Expression Changes in Epinephelus marginatus (Teleostei, Serranidae) Liver as Molecular Biomarker of Iron Ore Contamination

The aim of this study was to determine selected molecular biomarkers of iron ore contamination in Epinephelus marginatus . Molecular biomarkers were tested by checking the relative expression of genes involved in oxidative stress, trace element regulation, and cellular damage, by RT-qPCR. Iron ore exposure caused the downregulation of ferroportin (FP) gene expression and a significant upregulation in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) genes. Iron ore affects gene expression in E. marginatus liver, indicating that it can potentially induce toxic effects in fish. Moreover, this altered gene expression pattern may be applied in monitoring iron ore contamination in marine environments.