engleski

Correlation between the level of the potential biomarker, heat-shock protein, and the occurrence of DNA damage in the dab, Limanda limanda: a field study in the North Sea and the English Channel

In the present study, heat-shock protein of M-r 70 kDa (HSP70), a marker of cellular stress response, was validated as a potential biomarker under field conditions. The dab, Limanda limanda (female, size greater than or equal to 25 cm, spawning maturity stage 2) was used as the indicator organism. The data on HSP level were correlated with the occurrence of DNA damage, measured in the same specimens of L. limanda, to prove the usefulness of the method. The area under investigation was the North Sea. Four locations were selected: station N01, close to Heligoland, in the North Sea; station N04 at the Dogger Bank; station N06 at the Firth of Forth; and station G08 in the English Channel. Ten animals from each location were selected and their livers used for the experiments. The results show that the highest levels of HSP70 (consisting of two forms of M-r 75 and 73 kDa) were in fish from station N04, while low values were measured in livers from L. limanda collected at station N01. Intermediate levels were seen in the animals the two other locations. By application of a novel technique, it was found that the extent of DNA damage (single-strand breaks and alkaline labile sites) in fish liver parallels the levels of both HSP70 forms. Our results suggest that L. limanda may be a useful bioindicator and heat-shock proteins, a useful biomarker for monitoring of environmental pollution.

dab;Limanda limanda;biomarker;heat-shock protein;DNA damage;North sea

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