title: Action of tributyltin (TBT) on the lipid content and potassium retention in the organotins degradating fungus Cunninghamella elegans.
abstract: The purpose of the presented paper was to study the effect of high concentrations of tributyltin (TBT) on the potassium retention and fatty acid (FA) composition of the fungus Cunninghamella elegans recognized as a very efficient TBT degrader. An increase in TBT had a strong influence on the potassium concentration in the fungus. In growth medium without TBT, the potassium content of the fungal cells was 5.8 mg K(+) g dry weight(-1). The maximum concentration of K(+) was 15.06 mg g(-1) dry weight at 30 mg l(-1) of TBT. The major FAs that characterized the tested strain were C16:0, C18:1, C18:2, C18:3 and C18:0. TBT in the concentration range 5-30 mg l(-1) strongly influenced the FA composition. In the presence of the organotin, the degree of saturation increased. It suggests that the observed changes promote an increase in the lipid ordering of the membrane by reducing its permeability and inhibiting potassium ion efflux.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland.
authors.forename: Przemysław
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bernat
authors.forename: Mirosława
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Słaba
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Długoński
mesh_terms: D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D020093:Cunninghamella / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D014220:Trialkyltin Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014220:Trialkyltin Compounds; C011559:tributyltin; D011188:Potassium