Metallothionein induction and metal homeostasis in rainbow trout hepatocytes exposed to mercury.
Rainbow trout hepatocytes were exposed to a sublethal concentration of mercury (Hg) (100 nM) for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 h at 15 degrees C. The hepatocytes were found to accumulate appreciable quantities of Hg. The presence of Hg led to elevated Ca, Cu and Zn levels in cells. Hg was bound mainly to low-molecular-weight components, although it induced the synthesis of metallothionein (MT). The results suggest that when hepatocytes are exposed to low levels of Hg, MT does not play a significant role in the sequestration of the metal. The elevated cellular Cu and Zn levels could be associated with the induction of MT.
Gagné
F
F
TOXEN, Département de Chimie, Université de Québec à Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Marion
M
M
Denizeau
F
F
D000818:Animals; D001711:Biotransformation / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008628:Mercury / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism*; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013997:Time Factors; D014337:Trout; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism
D008670:Metals; D003300:Copper; D008668:Metallothionein; D008628:Mercury; D015032:Zinc; D002118:Calcium