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Cholinesterase activities in the adductor muscle of the Antarctic scallop Adamussium colbecki

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2006

Stefano Bonacci ,
Ilaria Corsi  and
Silvano Focardi
Stefano Bonacci
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Sciences “G. Sarfatti”, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, I-53100 Siena, Italy
Ilaria Corsi
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Sciences “G. Sarfatti”, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, I-53100 Siena, Italy
Silvano Focardi
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Sciences “G. Sarfatti”, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, I-53100 Siena, Italy
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Abstract

Antarctica is regarded as one of the most pristine parts of the Earth but even this remote ecosystem is affected by contamination and high levels of certain heavy metals, such as cadmium, which may occur naturally in Antarctic waters. The bivalve scallop Adamussium colbecki is considered a key species of Antarctic benthic ecosystems and a sensitive target for bioaccumulation of xenobiotics and metals. Since cholinesterases (ChEs) in the adductor muscle of A. colbecki presumably play a prominent physiological role through regulation of swimming movements, the main aims of this study was to characterize ChE activities in adductor muscle of A. colbecki and to investigate their sensitivity to organophosphate pesticides and heavy metals. The results suggest that an acetylcholinesterase-like enzyme in the adductor muscle of the scallop has low sensitivity to organophosphates but was significantly inhibited by exposure to cadmium.

Keywords

aquatic pollutantsbenthosbivalveCdChEDFP
Type
LIFE SCIENCES
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 18 , Issue 1 , March 2006 , pp. 15 - 22
Copyright
© Antarctic Science Ltd 2006

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