Impacts on gene expression profiles associated with the most widely used pesticides in Central Brazil

Abstract

While agriculture is essential for food security, the intensive use of pesticides in modern farming practices raises concerns on their impact, in particular from a One Health perspective. In 2024, Brazil approved 663 new pesticides, a 19% increase in comparison with 2023. The occupational exposure of rural workers is known to be associated with a range of health outcomes, including cancer. Despite this, considerable knowledge gaps persist with regard to the impact of pesticides on the expression of target genes, in particular those involved in the regulation of the cell cycle, apoptosis, and xenobiotic detoxification. The present study used an in silico approach to investigate the impacts of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides on gene regulation and the biological pathways that are fundamental to the stability of the genome and cell homeostasis. The study focused on the interactions between the 10 most widely used pesticides in the State of Goiás and genes that are sensitive to these compounds were analyzed using data from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). The analyses indicated alterations in pathways associated with oxidative stress, DNA damage, Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) signaling, and apoptosis. The genes TP53 and GADD45A (cell cycle control), CYP3A4 (xenobiotic detoxification), and BAX (pro-apoptotic) showed increased expression, while BCL2 (anti-apoptotic) had reduced expression. The results highlight the impacts of pesticides on gene expression and potential cellular dysfunctions associated with cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. They also reinforce the need for functional studies and more effective regulatory policies to protect workers and promote sustainable agricultural practices.