Abstract
Partitioning of copper among copper-binding proteins was evaluated in digestive glands of Mytilus edulis exposed to soluble copper. Groups of mussels were held in flow-through bioassay systems and exposed to either approx. 1 (control) or 25 ..mu..g Cu/L for as long as 21 weeks. At 3-week intervals, groups of 25 mussels were removed and the digestive glands were analyzed for copper-binding proteins by gel-permeation chromatography and atomic absorption spectrometry. Chronic exposure to copper resulted in increased amounts of copper in the low molecular-weight (LMW) protein fraction, which contains metallothionein-like proteins, and in the high molecular-weight (HMW) protein fraction, which contains metalloenzymes. Concentrations of copper in the LMW protein fraction increased and then appeared to plateau with long exposure times, whereas those in the HMW protein fraction continued to increase with exposure time.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
