Antarctic Science

Table of Contents - 2006 - Volume 18, Issue 01  


LIFE SCIENCES

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

Stefano Bonacci a1c1, Ilaria Corsi a1 and Silvano Focardi a1
a1 Department of Environmental Sciences “G. Sarfatti”, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, I-53100 Siena, Italy

Article author query
bonacci s   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
corsi i   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
focardi s   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 

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.

(Received December 1 2004)
(Accepted June 27 2005)


Key Words: aquatic pollutants; benthos; bivalve; Cd; ChE; DFP.

Correspondence:
c1 bonacci@unisi.it

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