Mobilization of copper among tissues in the estuarine crab Scylla serrata (Forskal) under imposed starvation.
The quantitative changes in copper free and bound to proteins in haemolymph and different forms of copper in muscle and hepatopancreas under imposed starvation were studied in the estuarine mud crab Scylla serrata. During the course of starvation, both haemolymph copper free and bound to proteins significantly declined and the regression analyses of these data further revealed that the haemolymph copper-free proteins were more affected than copper-bound proteins. The multiple stress condition namely injury and exsanguination along with starvation resulted in an earlier release and/or degradation of both these proteins. Hepatopancreas periodically accumulates and releases copper during starvation. The copper levels in haemolymph and hepatopancreas during different days of starvation showed a close inverse relationship between these two tissues. These changes in hepatopancreas were predominantly reflected in the copper that exists in association with low molecular weight substances. It is found that the copper thus accumulated was partly released back into haemolymph and a fraction may be excreted. This study also indicates the major role played by the low molecular weight substances in accommodation, detoxification and mobilization of copper in the decapod hepatopancreas during imposed starvation.
Arumugam
M
M
Department of Zoology, University of Madras, India.
D000818:Animals; D003386:Brachyura / Q000378:metabolism*; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism*; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000378:metabolism; D006458:Hemolymph / Q000378:metabolism; D007206:Individuality; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000378:metabolism; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D013217:Starvation / Q000378:metabolism
D003300:Copper; D006433:Hemocyanins