The expression of CYP1A and metallothionein in hepatopancreas of Merluccius merluccius and Mullus barbatus from the Adriatic Sea

Abstract

CYP1A is an established biomarker of fish exposure to PAHs and PCBs. The metallothioneins (MT)constitute a family of Cys-rich proteins that bind a wide range of metals and participate in their uptake,transport and regulation. The aim of this work was to detect changes in CYP1A and MT protein levelsin the hepatopancreas of two commercially important fish species: Mullus barbatus and Merlucciusmerluccius from three different types of locality in the Adriatic Sea (the open sea area of Platamuni,the port of Bar and Valdanos,) in winter. The relative concentration of CYP1A was highest in bothfish species from Bar. Chemical analysis of sea water did not reveal the presence of PAHs. Increasedconcentrations of PCBs were observed only in Bar. A species-specific and higher increase in the proteinconcentration of CYP1A was observed in Mullus barbatus compared to Merluccius merluccius. Thelevels of MT were highest in Merluccius merluccius from Bar and in Mullus barbatus from Valdanos.Induction of MT correlated with elevated concentrations of Pb and Cu, determined by chemicalanalysis of sea water from Valdanos and Bar, respectively. According to the examined parameters, thePlatamuni locality exhibited the lowest level of contamination.