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  • Title: 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.
    Author: Soazig L, Marc L.
    Journal: Mar Pollut Bull; 2003 Nov; 46(11):1450-5. PubMed ID: 14607542.
    Abstract:
    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 microgl(-1)), cadmium (200 microgl(-1)) or zinc (1,000 microgl(-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.
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