Genes involved in cysteine metabolism of Chironomus tepperi are regulated differently by copper and by cadmium

KJ Jeppe; ME Carew; SM Long; SF Lee; V Pettigrove; AA Hoffmann

Journal article

Genes involved in cysteine metabolism of Chironomus tepperi are regulated differently by copper and by cadmium

KJ Jeppe, ME Carew, SM Long, SF Lee, V Pettigrove, AA Hoffmann

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology C Toxicology and Pharmacology | Published : 2014

DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2014.02.006

Abstract

Freshwater invertebrates are often exposed to metal contamination, and changes in gene expression patterns can help understand mechanisms underlying toxicity and act as pollutant-specific biomarkers. In this study the expressions of genes involved in cysteine metabolism are characterized in the midge Chironomus tepperi during exposures to sublethal concentrations of cadmium and copper. These metals altered gene expression of the cysteine metabolism differently. Both metals decreased S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase expression and did not change the expression of S-adenosylmethionine synthetase. Cadmium exposure likely increased cystathionine production by up-regulating cystathionine-β-syntha..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Melissa Carew Author

Ary Hoffmann Author

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Funding Acknowledgements

[ "We thank Steve Marshall, Rebecca Reid and Lee Engelstad for their technical support. This study was funded primarily by the Australian Research Council (Linkage and Fellowship schemes) and in part, by foundation funding granted to The Centre of Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management by The Victorian Science Agenda Investment.", "Fund managed by the Department of Business and Innovation with partner funding contributed from Melbourne Water, Department of Primary Industries (Victoria), and Environment Protection Authority (Victoria)." ]