Evaluation of metallothionein expression as a biomarker of mercury exposure in Scatophagus argus.
The effect of mercury exposure to total Metallothionein (MT) response and bioaccumulation under control and acute mercury exposure were investigated in scats (Scatophagus argus). Scats were exposed to different mercury concentrations (10, 20 and 30 microg Hg L(-1)) for 24, 48 and 72 h. Total MT levels were determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Mercury contents were determined through cold Vapour atomic Absorption spectrometry. Induction of MT during exposure was tissue specific, displaying different response pattern in gill and liver. Mercury accumulated much stronger in liver than gill and the latter also showed lower MT level. MT biosynthesis in liver showed a significant increase after exposure to different mercury concentration during different times. This increase was significantly correlated with mercury bioaccumulation. In contrast, presence of different mercury concentration during different times did not significantly modify total MT except for 72 h exposure at 30 microg L(-1) in gills. The results suggest that this form of MT existing in S. argus was Hg-inducible and could be extended the as a biomarker of mercury pollution in ecosystems.
Nikpour
Y
Y
Khoramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology, Iran.
Zolgharnein
H
H
Sinaei
M
M
Najafzadeh
H
H
Ghavasi
M
M
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D029941:Fish Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005880:Gills / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010473:Perciformes / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*
D015415:Biomarkers; D029941:Fish Proteins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008668:Metallothionein; D008628:Mercury