Investigation of Effects of Pesticides on Molecular Forms of AChE in Alimentary Canals of Carp

Abstract

All parts of the carp intestine contain three different molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase (AChE): G1, G4 and A12. After paraquat treatment there were no significant changes in AChE activity, whereas after CuSO4 treatment there was a slight increase in activity. During exposure of carp to 2 ppm methidathion in vivo, the AChE activity in the tissues investigated decreased significantly. Moreover, the relative distribution of the molecular forms of AChE changed relative to that in the control animals. The results suggest that an investigation of the molecular forms of fish AChE could contribute to an understanding of fish AChE at a molecular level and emphasize the importance of in vivo and in vitro approaches in assessing chemical effects and their potential hazards in the aquatic environment.