Metallothionein cDNA cloning, metallothionein expression and heavy metals in Scapharca inaequivalvis along the Northern Adriatic coast of Italy.
The aims of this work were: (1) identification of the metallothionein (MT) gene coding sequence in order to prepare an MT probe in Scapharca inaequivalvis and (2) quantification of Cd, Zn, Cu, MT and MTmRNA expression in tissues of molluscs from three areas along the Northern Adriatic coast of Italy. By RT-PCR we cloned the MTcDNA of S. inaequivalvis using the RNA extracted from hepatopancreas of specimens exposed to Cd. The 61 amino acids sequence of MT was deduced and was 70% identical to S. brughtonii MT. Cd concentration in molluscs from the wild was significantly higher in gills from specimens sampled near Ravenna. Zn concentration in the same tissue was significantly higher in Ravenna with respect to Porto Garibaldi while no difference with respect to Cesenatico was detected. Cu levels showed significant differences among sites in gills and mantle whereas values in the hepatopancreas were similar in all sites. The low MT levels were indicative of a low metal exposure; few differences were found in MTmRNA concentrations, which resulted significantly higher in hepatopancreas of molluscs from Porto Garibaldi.
Clinical Veterinary Department, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
Giulia
G
Andreani
Emilio
E
Carpenè
Giovanni
G
Capranico
Gloria
G
Isani
D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005880:Gills / Q000378:metabolism; D043143:Hepatopancreas / Q000378:metabolism; D007558:Italy; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D049894:Scapharca / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008668:Metallothionein