Influence of field and experimental exposure of mussels (Mytilus sp.) to nickel and vanadium on metallothionein concentration.
In mussels impacted by the V- and Ni-rich oil dispersed in the environment after the << Erika >> wreck, a significant and positive correlation was observed between metallothionein (MT) and V concentrations whereas no correlation was observed between MT and Ni concentrations. Mussels were exposed separately to V and Ni in the laboratory. The highest concentrations tested (> or =2000 ng V per individual; > or =50 ng Ni per individual) were responsible for V and Ni bioaccumulation. In the case of V, the metal was preferentially stored in the insoluble fraction of the soft tissues but with increasing body burden, the part of soluble V increased from 19 to 41%. Metallothionein was induced in mussels exposed to V but not in those exposed to Ni. In addition, in mussels originating from a shellfish farming area which showed abnormally high levels of V, depuration showed concomitant decreases of V and MT. It is the first report in the literature of a functional link between MT and V. When interpreting surveys of metal pollution based upon the use of MT, one must be aware that V may be responsible for MT synthesis, explaining likely high levels of this biomarker in the absence of metals known as MT inducers.
Amiard
J-C
JC
Université de Nantes, Nantes Atlantique Universités, Groupe SMAB EA-2160, Service d'écotoxicologie, Faculté de Pharmacie, Pôle Mer et Littoral, 2 Rue de Houssinière, BP 92208, Nantes, F-44000, France. Jean-Claude.Amiard@univ-nantes.fr
Journel
R
R
Bacheley
H
H
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001822:Body Burden; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005602:France; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism*; D049878:Mytilus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009532:Nickel / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation; D017968:Vanadium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
D015415:Biomarkers; D017968:Vanadium Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C035197:nickel nitrate; C034028:vanadyl sulfate; D009532:Nickel; D008668:Metallothionein