1
|
Dragun Z, Kiralj Z, Pećnjak A, Ivanković D. The study of acidic/basic nature of metallothioneins and other metal-binding biomolecules in the soluble hepatic fraction of the northern pike (Esox lucius). Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 256:128209. [PMID: 37992940 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Since fish metalloproteins are still not thoroughly characterized, the aim of this study was to investigate the acidic/basic nature of biomolecules involved in the sequestration of twelve selected metals in the soluble hepatic fraction of an important aquatic bioindicator organism, namely the fish species northern pike (Esox lucius). For this purpose, the hyphenated system HPLC-ICP-MS was applied, with chromatographic separation based on anion/cation-exchange principle at physiological pH (7.4). The results indicated predominant acidic nature of metal-binding peptides/proteins in the studied hepatic fraction. More than 90 % of Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mo, and Pb were eluted with negatively charged biomolecules, and >70 % of Bi, Mn, and Zn. Thallium was revealed to bind equally to negatively and positively charged biomolecules, and Cs predominantly to positively charged ones. The majority of acidic (negatively charged) metalloproteins/peptides were coeluted within the elution time range of applied standard proteins, having pIs clustered around 4-6. Furthermore, binding of several metals (Ag, Cd, Cu, Zn) to two MT-isoforms was assumed, with Cd and Zn preferentially bound to MT1 and Ag to MT2, and Cu evenly distributed between the two. The results presented here are the first of their kind for the important bioindicator species, the northern pike, as well as one of the rare comprehensive studies on the acidic/basic nature of metal-binding biomolecules in fish, which can contribute significantly to a better understanding of the behaviour and fate of metals in the fish organism, specifically in liver as main metabolic and detoxification organ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zrinka Dragun
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Bijenička cesta 54, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Zoran Kiralj
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Bijenička cesta 54, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Pećnjak
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dušica Ivanković
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Bijenička cesta 54, Zagreb, Croatia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fernandes IF, Utsunomiya HSM, de Lacerda Valverde BS, Ferraz JVC, Fujiwara GH, Gutierres DM, de Oliveira C, Belussi LF, Fernandes MN, Carvalho CDS. Ecotoxicological evaluation of water from the Sorocaba River using an integrated analysis of biochemical and morphological biomarkers in bullfrog tadpoles, Lithobates catesbeianus (). CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 275:130000. [PMID: 33667769 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Lithobates catesbeianus tadpoles were exposed for 96 h to water from two sites of the Sorocaba River (summer and winter), Ibiúna (PI) and Itupararanga reservoir (PIR) that contained metals. In the liver, in PI, the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) decreased, and the glutathione S-transferase (GST) and carbonyl proteins (PCO) increased. In PIR, the glutathione reduced (GSH) increased, while there was a decrease in catalase (CAT), GPx, GST, PCO, and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In winter, GPx and GST increased in both points. Regarding the kidneys, lipoperoxidation (LPO) levels and GST decreased, while GSH increased in the summer. In the winter, LPO increased in PI. In the muscle, in the summer, there was an increase in GSH and GST and change in PCO. In the winter, the levels of PCO increased and CAT decreased in PIR. The area and volume of the hepatocyte and nucleus area increased in the summer and decreased in the winter. Hepatic melanin decreased in the summer after exposure to PIR water. There were the systemic effects of Sorocaba River water exposure at different times of the year with alterations in biomarkers at different levels, in which kidney shows highest Integrated Response of Biomarkers (IBR) value followed by liver and muscle. Biochemical biomarkers were more sensitive than morphological ones. The more sensitive biochemical markers were MT, PCO, GST and LPO. These effects confirm the hypothesis of metabolic alteration in bullfrog tadpoles by the Sorocaba River water.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabela Ferreira Fernandes
- Programa de Pós-graduação Em Biotecnologia e Monitoramento Ambiental, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Campus Sorocaba, Rodovia João Leme Dos Santos, Km 110, SP-264, CEP, 18052-780, Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil; Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Campus Sorocaba, Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia (LaBioM), Rodovia João Leme Dos Santos, Km 110, SP-264, CEP, 18052-780, Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heidi Samantha Moraes Utsunomiya
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Campus Sorocaba, Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia (LaBioM), Rodovia João Leme Dos Santos, Km 110, SP-264, CEP, 18052-780, Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno Serra de Lacerda Valverde
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Biologia Animal da UNESP, Campus de São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - João Victor Cassiel Ferraz
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Campus Sorocaba, Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia (LaBioM), Rodovia João Leme Dos Santos, Km 110, SP-264, CEP, 18052-780, Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Hiroshi Fujiwara
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Campus Sorocaba, Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia (LaBioM), Rodovia João Leme Dos Santos, Km 110, SP-264, CEP, 18052-780, Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Davi Marques Gutierres
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Campus Sorocaba, Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia (LaBioM), Rodovia João Leme Dos Santos, Km 110, SP-264, CEP, 18052-780, Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Classius de Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São José Do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lilian Franco Belussi
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso Do Sul, Instituto de Biociências, Laboratório de Patologia Experimental (LAPex), Mato Grosso Do Sul, MG, Brazil
| | - Marisa Narciso Fernandes
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Caixa Postal 676, Rodovia Washington Luís Km 235, CEP, 13565-905, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Cleoni Dos Santos Carvalho
- Programa de Pós-graduação Em Biotecnologia e Monitoramento Ambiental, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Campus Sorocaba, Rodovia João Leme Dos Santos, Km 110, SP-264, CEP, 18052-780, Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil; Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Campus Sorocaba, Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia (LaBioM), Rodovia João Leme Dos Santos, Km 110, SP-264, CEP, 18052-780, Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gu B, Liang W, Yang T, Hu Z, Shen H. Metallothionein, hemocyte status and superoxide dismutase/aspartate aminotransferase activity are sensitive biomarkers of cadmium stress in Onchidium reevesii. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2019; 215:105284. [PMID: 31479758 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.105284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Metal pollution in the environment is a serious threat to the biological sustainability of coastal ecosystems. However, our current understanding of the biological effects of metals in these ecosystems is limited. Herein, we investigated the responses of the sea slug Onchidium reevesii to persistent sublethal Cd environmental stress. Dynamic expression was analyzed using various biomarkers. The full-length cDNA of O. reevesii metallothionein (MT) was cloned and consists of 1639 nucleotides encoding a 65 amino acid polypeptide. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Or-MT has conserved Cys residues typical of MTs, including a typical Cys-X-Cys motif, implying that it can function the same as the MT of other shellfish. Expression of Or-MT in response to Cd varied in different tissues, and was highest in gastropod tissues. Thus, regiotemporal expression of MT may be useful for assessing pollution in coastal areas. Cellular immunity (in the hemolymph) and enzyme activity (in the hepatopancreas) were investigated along with hemocyte viability, hemocyte phagocytosis, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities. Hemocyte viability was elevated under continuous Cd exposure but hemocyte phagocytosis was decreased. SOD and AST activities in the hepatopancreas fluctuated considerably, and SOD activity was more sensitive. SOD activity was lowest at 4 h and highest at 12 h, while AST activity peaked at 2 h and was lowest at 48 h. Thus, changes in enzyme activity may reveal adaptation to stress. Furthermore, the response patterns of certain enzymes, cellular immunity, and MT expression in O. reevesii could serve as biomarkers of Cd pollution in aquatic environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bingning Gu
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai 201306, China; Shanghai Universities Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Taxonomy and Evolution, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Wei Liang
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai 201306, China; Shanghai Universities Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Taxonomy and Evolution, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Tiezhu Yang
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai 201306, China; Shanghai Universities Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Taxonomy and Evolution, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Zhongjun Hu
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai 201306, China; Shanghai Universities Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Taxonomy and Evolution, Shanghai 201306, China.
| | - Heding Shen
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai 201306, China; Shanghai Universities Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Taxonomy and Evolution, Shanghai 201306, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kim JH, Rhee JS, Dahms HU, Lee YM, Han KN, Lee JS. The yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (Siluriformes) metallothionein cDNA: molecular cloning and transcript expression level in response to exposure to the heavy metals Cd, Cu, and Zn. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2012; 38:1331-1342. [PMID: 22367486 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-012-9621-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2011] [Accepted: 02/10/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Metallothionein (MT) has been used extensively as a potential molecular biomarker to detect heavy metal pollution in aquatic organisms. In order to investigate the modulation effect of heavy metals and to establish suitable biomarkers for the monitoring of heavy metal pollution, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco metallothionein gene was characterized as the first report in the family Bagridae. Pf-MT transcript was detected at high levels in liver, gonad, kidney, and brain compared to other tissues. A time-course study in response to waterborne Cd (5 ppm) revealed that a significant increase in the Pf-MT transcript abundance was observed at 6 h in gill, kidney, and liver. These elevated levels were kept for 96 h, implying that Cd distributed fast into different organs and was involved in the tissue-specific induction pattern. We observed a significant Pf-MT transcript increase in liver tissues at 48 h, followed by gill at 12 h and intestine at 48 h after Cd exposure. This indicates hepatic MT expression as a potential biomarker of acute Cd exposure in this species. Cd-binding ability of recombinant Pf-MT protein provided evidence for sensitivity to Cd and other heavy metal exposure. In the case of Zn exposure (1 ppm), a significant increase in Pf-MT transcript abundance was observed at 12 h, and a peak induction level reaching sixfold at 24 h was kept until 48 h, showing similar transcript induction patterns with Cd. A high level of Pf-MT mRNA after exposure to Cu (1 ppm) was observed at 12 h that gradually increased until 96 h with a 12-fold induction, revealing a long-lasting induction and somewhat dissimilar pattern compared to other metals in liver. Our results demonstrate that Pf-MT can be induced by heavy metals in a tissue-specific and metal-specific manner and plays probably a conserved role in metal detoxification. This study provides new information on P. fulvidraco metallothionein gene for the use of biomarkers indicating metal pollution in fish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Hyoung Kim
- National Research Lab of Marine Molecular and Environmental Bioscience, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, 133-791, South Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Huang GY, Ying GG, Liu S, Fang YX. Regulation of reproduction- and biomarker-related gene expression by sex steroids in the livers and ovaries of adult female western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2012; 162:36-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2012.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2012] [Revised: 02/06/2012] [Accepted: 02/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
|
6
|
Rhee JS, Raisuddin S, Hwang DS, Lee KW, Kim IC, Lee JS. Differential expression of metallothionein (MT) gene by trace metals and endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the hermaphroditic mangrove killifish, Kryptolebias marmoratus. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2009; 72:206-212. [PMID: 18687470 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2008.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2008] [Revised: 06/03/2008] [Accepted: 06/15/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Metallothionein (MT) gene expression was studied in different tissues, development stages and gender types of the mangrove killifish (Kryptolebias marmoratus). MT expression was also studied in a time-series experiment after exposure to trace metals and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The brain showed the highest level of MT transcripts. Although all the development stage showed some level of MT expression, the adult hermaphrodites showed the highest expression which was significantly higher than the secondary males. In the trace metal-exposed fish, cadmium caused the strongest induction of MT. However, other trace metals such as copper and zinc also caused MT gene induction. All the EDCs suppressed the expression of MT gene, and the effect of EDCs were not gender-specific. K. marmoratus has previously shown its suitability as a model species for toxicity studies and cancer research. This study demonstrated utility of MT as biomarker in K. marmoratus. However, confounding factors such as age, gender, and tissue types appear to influence the MT expression. Response of trace and organic pollutants such as EDCs also varied greatly. These observations suggest that MT would be a specific biomarker of trace metal exposure in K. marmoratus and expression would be influenced by intrinsic factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Sung Rhee
- Department of Molecular and Environmental Bioscience, Graduate School, Hanyang University, Seoul 133 791, South Korea
| | - Sheikh Raisuddin
- National Research Laboratory of Marine Molecular and Environmental Bioscience, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 133 791, South Korea
| | - Dae-Sik Hwang
- Department of Molecular and Environmental Bioscience, Graduate School, Hanyang University, Seoul 133 791, South Korea
| | - Kyun-Woo Lee
- National Research Laboratory of Marine Molecular and Environmental Bioscience, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 133 791, South Korea
| | - Il-Chan Kim
- Polar BioCenter, Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute, Incheon 406 840, South Korea
| | - Jae-Seong Lee
- National Research Laboratory of Marine Molecular and Environmental Bioscience, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 133 791, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Fabrik I, Ruferova Z, Hilscherova K, Adam V, Trnkova L, Kizek R. A Determination of Metallothionein in Larvae of Freshwater Midges (Chironomus riparius) Using Brdicka Reaction. SENSORS 2008; 8:4081-4094. [PMID: 27879923 PMCID: PMC3697162 DOI: 10.3390/s8074081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2008] [Revised: 07/06/2008] [Accepted: 07/06/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Among wide spectrum of biomolecules induced by various stress factors low molecular mass protein called metallothionein (MT) is suitable for assessment of the heavy metal environmental pollution. The aim of this work was to determine the metallothionein and total thiols content in larvae of freshwater midges (Chironomus riparius) sampled from laboratory exposure to cadmium(II) ions and from field studies using differential pulse voltammetry Brdicka reaction. Unique electrochemical instrument, stationary electrochemical analyser Autolab coupled with autosampler, was utilized for the analysis of the samples. The detection limit for MT was evaluated as 5 nM. The larvae exposed to two doses (50 ng/g or 50 μg/g) of cadmium(II) ions for fifteen days under laboratory controlled conditions were at the end of the exposure killed, homogenized and analysed. MT content in control samples was 1.2 μM, in larvae exposed to 50 ng Cd/g it was 2.0 μM and in larvae exposed to 50 μg Cd/g 2.9 μM. Moreover at field study chironomid larvae as well as sediment samples have been collected from eight field sites with different levels of pollution by heavy. The metals content (chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, molybdenum, cadmium, tin and lead) in the sediment and or MT content in the chironomid larvae were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or Brdicka reaction, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivo Fabrik
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and 3 Department of Animal Nutrition and Forage Production, Faculty of Agronomy, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Ruferova
- Research Centre for Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, and 4 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, CZ-611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Klara Hilscherova
- Research Centre for Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, and 4 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, CZ-611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Adam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and 3 Department of Animal Nutrition and Forage Production, Faculty of Agronomy, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Rene Kizek
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and 3 Department of Animal Nutrition and Forage Production, Faculty of Agronomy, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|