engleski

Cytosolic metal profile from digestive gland of Mediterranean mussels as a potential indicator of metal exposure

The effect of metal exposure on the accumulation and cytosolic distribution of metals associated with biomolecules of different molecular size in the digestive gland of mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) as a bioindicator species for a good environmental status was studied. Besides natural sources, a large number of metals are present in the marine environment as a result of human activities (e.g. Cu and Zn from antifouling paints, Cd from municipal and industrial effluents). Among other mechanisms, protection of organisms against metal toxicity can be achieved by binding metals to various cytosolic biomolecules as ligands. Therefore, the investigation of cytosolic profiles of metals bound to biomolecules of different molecular size is of great importance for defining the possible biomarkers in the field of pollution monitoring. Samples of wild population of mussels were collected from the marina, the harbour and the location under low anthropogenic impact. Digestive glands were homogenised and centrifuged to obtain supernatant S50 representing cytosolic tissue fraction. Metal pattern in cytosolic fractions was analysed by size exclusion (SE) high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a Superdex 75 column coupled to inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Total metal concentration in cytosol was analysed using ICP-MS. Differences between the total metal cytosol concentration and the related cytosolic metal-biomolecule profiles on the selected locations were observed. The influence of salinity and season on measured parameters will also be discussed.

metals; Mytilus galloprovincialis; cytosolic profiles of metals; SE-HPLC-ICP-MS

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