The dynamics of protein and metal metabolism in acclimated and Cd-exposed freshwater crabs ( Potamonautes warreni)

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2009-05, Vol.72 (4), p.1220-1227
• Main Authors: Schuwerack, P.-M.M., Lewis, John W., Jones, Peter
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biomarkers; Brachyura - metabolism; Cadmium - metabolism; Cadmium - toxicity; Copper - metabolism; Cytosol - metabolism; Decapoda; Digestive gland; Digestive System - metabolism; Dynamics metal and protein metabolism; Female; Fresh Water; Freshwater; Freshwater crab Potamonautes warreni; Integrated molecular responses to Cd; Liver - metabolism; Male; Metalloproteins - chemistry; Metalloproteins - metabolism; Metals - metabolism; Potamonautes warreni; Protein Binding; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Zinc - metabolism
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2008.07.004

Climatic and man-made impacts induced dynamic molecular responses in the South African freshwater crab, Potamonautes warreni. Adult crabs exhibited MT-like protein, binding Cd (0.02 μmol g −1 wet mass±0.02), Cu (0.326 μmol g −1 wet mass±0.15), and Zn (0.534 μmol g −1 wet mass±0.20). The native protein binding Cd, Cu, and Zn showed a respective molecular mass ( M) of 9.10 kDa±1.74, 8.95 kDa±1.66, and 9.32 kDa±0.93. With exposure to 0.2 mg Cd 2+ l −1 for up to 21 days in 50% of these crabs approximately 90% of Cd was bound to the MT-like protein component (8.54 kDa±1.64), coinciding with a Zn-bound MT-like component (8.2 kDa±1.54). Less than 10% were bound in the high M protein component, suggesting a protective function of the protein. In the remaining crabs metals were bound to protein (6.8 kDa) with a predominant Cu-binding component.