Potential use of the levels of the mRNA of a specific metallothionein isoform (MT-20) in mussel ( Mytilus edulis) as a biomarker of cadmium contamination

Metallothionein (MT) is a metal-inducible protein and a potential biomarker of metal pollution. Mussel MTs are characterized by having both monomeric (MT-10) and dimeric (MT-20) isoforms. We have carried out a series of experiments in which we studied mRNA levels of both MTs in Mytilus edulis after...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2003-11, Vol.46 (11), p.1450-1455
Main Authors: Soazig, Lemoine, Marc, Laulier
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Applied ecology
bioindicators
Biological and medical sciences
Biomarker
biomarkers
Bivalvia - genetics
Blotting, Northern
Cadmium
Cadmium - metabolism
Copper - metabolism
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gene Expression Regulation
Marine and brackish environment
Metallothionein
Metallothionein - genetics
Metallothionein - metabolism
mRNA
MT-20
Mytilus edulis
Pollution
Protein Isoforms - genetics
Protein Isoforms - metabolism
RNA, Messenger - genetics
Techniques
Transcriptional Activation
Zinc - metabolism
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Summary:Metallothionein (MT) is a metal-inducible protein and a potential biomarker of metal pollution. Mussel MTs are characterized by having both monomeric (MT-10) and dimeric (MT-20) isoforms. We have carried out a series of experiments in which we studied mRNA levels of both MTs in Mytilus edulis after a brief exposure (6–72 h) to cadmium, zinc and copper. The induction of MT-10 and MT-20 mRNA in the heavy metal-treated mussels was detected by Northern blot analysis. The exposure of mussels to copper (40 μg l −1), cadmium (200 μg l −1) or zinc (1000 μg l −1) resulted in different MT-gene induction patterns. In the cadmium-intoxicated mussels levels of both MT-10 and MT-20 mRNA were increased. In the zinc-treated mussels, a rapid response of the MT-10 gene was detected within 6 h. Induction of MT-20 transcription was specific for cadmium, and can be envisaged as a potential biomarker of cadmium contamination. Copper had no effect on mRNA levels. We suggest the possibility that there is a hitherto-unknown copper-specific isoform.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/S0025-326X(03)00283-2