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Effects of the Herbicide Isoproturon on Metallothioneins, Growth, and Antioxidative Defenses in the Aquatic Worm Tubifex tubifex (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae)

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Abstract

Metallothioneins (MTs) are low molecular weight proteins, mainly implicated in metal ion detoxification. Increase in MT contents is considered to be a specific biomarker of metal exposure. Recently it has been demonstrated that MTs participate in several cellular functions such as regulation of growth, and antioxidative defenses. Therefore, the induction of MTs as biomarkers of exposure to the pesticide isoproturon has been investigated in the aquatic worms Tubifex tubifex. MT levels in exposed worms increased significantly (p < 0.05) after 2, 4, and 7 days of exposure to different concentrations of isoproturon (maximum increase compared to unexposed controls: +148.56% for 10 mg l−1 after 4 days of exposure). In response to isoproturon, the activity of glutathione-S-transferase (max. +52%), glutathione-reductase (max. +100%), and catalase (max. +117%) increased, demonstrating the occurrence of an oxidative stress response to the herbicide. Thus, the increase in MT contents caused by isoproturon was interpreted as a defense response towards increased oxidative stress generated by the herbicide. Residues of isoproturon and its metabolites, 1-(4-isopropylphenyl)-3-methylurea, 1-(4-isopropylphenyl) urea, and 4-isopropylanilin were detected in the worm growth medium. Half-life of the herbicide was shorter at a low (0.1 mg l−1) initial concentration. The herbicide accumulated in T. tubifex but no metabolite could be detected.

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Acknowledgments

This work was financed in part by the French “Ministère de la Recherche et des Technologies” through the program “Unité de Recherches Vignes et Vins de Champagne” (URVVC) EA 2069 and by Europol’Agro through the program “Vineal”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire d’Eco-Toxicologie, Unité de Recherche sur la Vigne et le Vin de Champagne, EA 2069 Faculté des Sciences, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, B.P. 1039, Reims cedex 02, 51687, France

    Yahia Y. Mosleh, Séverine Paris-Palacios, Michel Couderchet, Sylvie Biagianti-Risbourg & Guy Vernet

  2. Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

    Yahia Y. Mosleh

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  1. Yahia Y. Mosleh
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  2. Séverine Paris-Palacios
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Correspondence to Michel Couderchet.

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Y. Mosleh, Y., Paris-Palacios, S., Couderchet, M. et al. Effects of the Herbicide Isoproturon on Metallothioneins, Growth, and Antioxidative Defenses in the Aquatic Worm Tubifex tubifex (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae). Ecotoxicology 14, 559–571 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-005-0008-6

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