title: Response of the ascorbate-peroxidase of Selenastrum capricornutum to copper and lead in stormwaters.
abstract: The green alga Selenastrum capricornutum expresses a unique ascorbate peroxidase, that responds to copper and lead. Attempts were made to test if this peroxidase could be used to monitor the levels of copper and lead in natural waters. When S. capricornutum was exposed to a stormwater sample, the specific activity of the peroxidase in the cell extract was commensurate with the combined copper and lead contents in the sample. The peroxidase responses were also correlated with the 96 hr biomass toxicity assay of S. capricornutum. However, unlike the biomass toxicity assay, the peroxidase activity was not affected by the anions in the samples. The use of this peroxidase can be used as a marker for testing heavy metal toxicity in the water.
authors.affiliation: Water Quality Control Plant, City of Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA.
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Sauser
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: T Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D060387:Ascorbate Peroxidases; D015415:Biomarkers; D002140:California; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004323:Drainage, Sanitary; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008670:Metals / Q000494:pharmacology; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011891:Rain; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; D010544:Peroxidases; D060387:Ascorbate Peroxidases