Metabolism of a model environmental carcinogen by bivalve molluscs Journal Article
| Author: | Anderson, R. S. |
| Article Title: | Metabolism of a model environmental carcinogen by bivalve molluscs |
| Abstract: | Bivalve molluscs have been used as monitors of marine pollution because they concentrate xenobiotics of many kinds in their tissues. Marine pollutants often produce stress responses such as reduced scope for growth, lysosomal destabilization, altered immune responsiveness and other sequelae. The ability of bivalves to metabolize organic compounds via mixed-function oxygenases (MFO) was demonstrated by the epoxidation of aldrin1 and benzo[a]pyrene (BP);2 this work has been corroborated and extended in many subsequent studies. Biotransformation of BP and other environmental procarcinogens can generate either activated or detoxified metabolites. In this paper the BP metabolites produced by digestive gland homogenates of the clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) and the oyster (Crassostrea virginica) are described. Control bivalves produced the proximate carcinogen (BP 7,8-dihydrodiol), as well as various minimally reactive BP diols and monohydroxylated metabolites. Seven days after injection of the potent inducer of mammalian MFO, Aroclor 1254, BP 7,8-diol production was augmented in Mercenaria, and atypical quinones and phenols were seen in both species. However, in the Ames bacterial mutagenicity assay, homogenates from Aroclor-treated clams failed to activate benzo[a]pyrene. The biological significance of BP metabolism in bivalves is unknown; however, it may prove to be a useful index of pollution. © 1985. |
| Keywords: | nonhuman; metabolism; benzo[a]pyrene; biochemistry; xenobiotics; mollusc; marine biology; water pollution; invertebrate; mercenaria mercenaria; clam; benzo (a)pyrene; crassostrea virginica; oyster; organic compounds - environmental impact; benzopyrene metabolites; bivalve mollusks |
| Journal Title: | Marine Environmental Research |
| Volume: | 17 |
| Issue: | 2-4 |
| ISSN: | 0141-1136 |
| Publisher: | Elsevier Ltd |
| Date Published: | 1985-01-01 |
| Start Page: | 137 |
| End Page: | 140 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1016/0141-1136(85)90059-5 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Article -- Export Date: 26 October 2021 -- Source: Scopus |
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