Metallothionein in intestine of red mullet, Mullus barbatus as a biomarker of copper exposure in the coastal marine areas.
Dietary metal exposure in fish is studied in native red mullet, Mullus barbatus, involving metallothionein (MT) response in the intestine, a primary site for metal uptake. Intestinal MTs (microg mg(-1) proteins), total proteins (mgml(-1) S50), Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cd (microg ml(-1) S50) are considered as indicators of metal exposure in specimens from near-shore and off-shore locations of the Eastern Adriatic Sea. Metallothionein and Cu are statistically significantly higher in 68 specimens from the Kastela Bay, a near-shore area (30.0+/-6.71microg MT mg(-1) proteins; 0.30+/-0.08microg Cu ml(-1) S50), in comparison to 51 specimens from off-shore area, Solta Island (25.9+/-4.21microg MT mg(-1) proteins; 0.26+/-0.09microg Cu ml(-1) S50). Cytosolic Cu, a MT inducer, is significantly correlated (p<0.05, r=0.44) with MT in specimens from the Kastela Bay, independent on fish biometry. Our study indicates that cytosolic intestinal Cu and MT represent a measurable biochemical response in red mullet specimens, dwelling above sediments contaminated with Cu.
Filipović Marijić
Vlatka
V
Division of Marine and Environmental Research, Ruder Bosković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.
Raspor
Biserka
B
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005843:Geography; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects*; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010473:Perciformes / Q000378:metabolism*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D023701:Smegmamorpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
D015415:Biomarkers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003300:Copper; D008668:Metallothionein