title: Effect of tributyltin (TBT) in the metabolic activity of TBT-resistant and sensitive estuarine bacteria.
abstract: The effect of tributyltin (TBT) on growth and metabolic activity of three estuarine bacteria with different TBT resistance profiles was investigated in an organic-rich culture medium (TSB) and in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) buffer. Exposure to TBT was assessed by determining its effect on growth (OD(600 nm) measurement), bacterial productivity (leucine incorporation), viability (CFU counts), aggregation and cell size (from Live/Dead analysis), ATP and NADH concentrations. TBT exposure resulted in decrease of bacterial density, cell size, and metabolic activity. In addition, cell aggregates were observed in the TBT-treated cultures. TBT strongly affected bacterial cell metabolism and seemed to exert an effect on its equilibrium, interfering with cell activity. Also, TBT toxicity was lower when cells were grown in TSB than in PBS, suggesting that a nutrient-rich growth medium can protect cells from TBT toxicity. This study contributes to our understanding of the TBT-resistant cell behavior reflected in its physiology and metabolic activity. This information is of utmost importance for further studies of TBT bioremediation.
authors.affiliation: CESAM and Biology Department, Aveiro University, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Andreia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Inês
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Baptista
authors.forename: Adelaide
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Sónia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mendo
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D014220:Trialkyltin Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D014220:Trialkyltin Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C011559:tributyltin