Assessment of Knowledge on Metal Trace Element Concentrations and Metallothionein Biomarkers in Cetaceans.

ABSTRACT: Cetaceans are recognized as bioindicators of pollution in oceans. These marine mammals are final trophic chain consumers and easily accumulate pollutants. For example, metals are abundant in oceans and commonly found in the cetacean tissues. Metallothioneins (MTs) are small non-enzyme proteins involved in metal cell regulation and are essential in many cellular processes (cell proliferation, redox balance, etc.). Thus, the MT levels and the concentrations of metals in cetacean tissue are positively correlated. Four types of metallothioneins (MT1, 2, 3, and 4) are found in mammals, which may have a distinct expression in tissues. Surprisingly, only a few genes or mRNA-encoding metallothioneins are characterized in cetaceans; molecular studies are focused on MT quantification, using biochemi

SUBMITTER: Leignel V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10224346 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature