White sided dolphin metallothioneins: purification, characterisation and potential role
In: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Pergamon Press: London; New York. ISSN 0010-406X, more
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marine mammals; Lagenorhynchus acutus; white-sided dolphin; heavymetals; cadmium; metallothioneins; isoforms |
| Authors | | Top |
- Das, K., more
- Jacob, V.
- Bouquegneau, J.-M., more
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| Abstract |
Metallothioneins (MTs) were characterised in the kidneys of a white-sided dolphin Lagenorhynchus acutus stranded along the Belgian coast, displaying high levels of cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) in liver and kidney. The protein has two isoforms: MT-1 and MT-2. MT-1 binds Cu, Zn, Hg and Cd, while MT-2 only binds Zn, Hg and Cd. This suggests different metabolic functions for the two isoforms: MT-1 is mainly involved in Cu homeostasis; MT-2, which was fourfold more abundant than MT-1, detoxifies most of the accumulated cadmium. |
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