Environmental monitoring of Domingo Rubio stream (Huelva Estuary, SW Spain) by combining conventional biomarkers and proteomic analysis in Carcinus maenas

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2010-02, Vol.158 (2), p.401-408
• Main Authors: Montes Nieto, Rafael, García-Barrera, Tamara, Gómez-Ariza, José-Luis, López-Barea, Juan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; antioxidant activity; Applied ecology; bioaccumulation; Biochemical biomarkers; Biological and medical sciences; biomarkers; Biomarkers - analysis; Brachyura - metabolism; Carcinus maenas; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; crabs; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Element load; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental Monitoring - statistics & numerical data; Environmental quality; enzyme activity; Fresh water ecosystems; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression Profiling - methods; Gene Expression Profiling - statistics & numerical data; General aspects; gills; Gills - chemistry; Microsomes - chemistry; pollution load; Protein expression profiles; Protein identification by de novo sequencing; protein synthesis; proteomics; Proteomics - methods; Rivers - chemistry; Spain; streams; Synecology; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; water pollution
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.09.005

Element load, conventional biomarkers and altered protein expression profiles were studied in Carcinus maenas crabs, to assess contamination of “Domingo Rubio” stream, an aquatic ecosystem that receives pyritic metals, industrial contaminants, and pesticides. Lower antioxidative activities – glucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases, catalase – were found in parallel to higher levels of damaged biomolecules – malondialdehyde, oxidized glutathione –, due to oxidative lesions promoted by contaminants, as the increased levels of essential – Zn, Cu, Co – and nonessential – Cr, Ni, Cd – elements. Utility of Proteomics to assess environmental quality was confirmed, especially after considering the six proteins identified by de novo sequencing through capLC-μESI-ITMS/MS and homology search on databases. They include tripartite motif-containing protein 11 and ATF7 transcription factor (upregulated), plus CBR-NHR-218 nuclear hormone receptor, two components of the ABC transporters and aldehyde dehydrogenase (downregulated). These proteins could be used as novel potential biomarkers of the deleterious effects of pollutants present in the area. Pollution assessment at “Domingo Rubio” stream (Spain).