Evaluation of Metallothionein protein as a biomarker of Mercury pollution in Scat (Scatophagus argus)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Abstract

Total Metallothionein (MT) biosynthesis and Mercury bioaccumulation under control & acute Mercury exposure were investigated in Scat (Scatophagus argus). Tissues from liver and gill of samples Scats were exposed to different Mercury concentrations (10, 20, 30μ g/l) for 24, 48, 72 hours. Mercury contents were determined through Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (CVAAS). Total MT levels were determined by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Induction of MT during exposure was tissue specific, displaying different response patterns in gill and liver. Mercury accumulated in liver much stronger than gill and the latter also showed lower MT level. Although after exposure to different mercury concentration during different periods, MT biosynthesis in liver showed a significant increase (P<0.05) but in gill did not significantly modify total MT except for 72h exposure at 30 g/l. Nonetheless, the relationship between MT biosynthesis and Mercury bioaccumulation in both tis.....