title: Biomarkers of environmental stress in gills of ribbed mussel Aulacomya atra atra (Nuevo Gulf, Northern Patagonia).
abstract: In this study, we assessed in gills of native ribbed mussels Aulacomya atra atra from three sites within Nuevo Gulf (Northern Patagonia) several biomarkers such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid radicals (LR), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and metallothionein (MT). Furthermore, concentrations of main trace metals (Fe, Al, Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb) were quantified in mussel tissue. Results showed significant induction of SOD, GST, MT and MDA, as well as, higher concentration of Fe, Al and Cd in winter than in summer. The high MDA content measured in mussels from Folías Wreck seemed to be caused by the very high levels of Fe that would come from the corrosion of the vessel. Mussels from the control site Punta Cuevas presented the lowest levels of Cd and the highest of Al in winter. Despite positive correlations were found between Al and GST and MT, no spatial differentiation was detected in those biomarkers. On the other hand, MT was only related to Al been most likely influenced by environmental variables than by the trace metals. It has to be highlighted that the relationship detected among water temperature, nutrients and antioxidant responses in gills is probably related to the fact that this tissue is in direct contact with water and it is sensitive to its fluctuations. Taking into account that mussel gill is a tissue actively proliferating and the first target of contaminants present in water, so that changes in its antioxidant system can provide an earlier warning signal than in other tissues.
authors.affiliation: Centro Nacional Patagónico (CENPAT-CONICET), Boulevard Brown 2915, 9120 Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina. Electronic address: giarratano@cenpat.edu.ar.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giarratano
authors.affiliation: Centro Nacional Patagónico (CENPAT-CONICET), Boulevard Brown 2915, 9120 Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina. Electronic address: monicagil@cenpat.edu.ar.
authors.forename: Mónica N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.affiliation: Fisicoquímica (IBIMOL-CONICET), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín 956, 1113 Capital Federal, Argentina. Electronic address: gmalanga@ffyb.uba.ar.
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malanga
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D001118:Argentina; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D002374:Catalase / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005880:Gills / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000201:enzymology; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000032:analysis; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000032:analysis; D049879:Mytilidae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000201:enzymology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000032:analysis; D012621:Seasons; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000032:analysis; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014131:Trace Elements; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D008668:Metallothionein; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase
keywords: Biomarkers; Gills; Oxidative stress; Ribbed mussel Aulacomya atra atra; Trace metals