Application of real time PCR determination to assess interanimal variabilities in CYP1A induction in the European flounder (Platichthys flesus)

In both laboratory experiments and field investigations with fish a large interanimal variability in CYP1A expression has been observed which may be attributed to variations in environmental inducer exposure and/or inducer response. We are carrying out laboratory investigations to assess the contribution of a potential genetic component in inducer response of flounder (Platichthys flesus) CYP1A to PCB exposure and in this paper we report development of a sensitive quantitative RT-PCR procedure (real time PCR) where accumulation of the intercalated dye SYBR Green I is followed during cycling. Preliminary experiments using this procedure with artificially reared Arochlor 1254-treated flounders showed large interanimal differences in response for a single family group indicating that variability does have a genetic basis.