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Toxic effects of tetraethyl lead and its derivatives on the chrysophytePoterioochromonas malhamensis. VIII. Comparative studies with surfactants

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Abstract

The toxic effect of triethyl lead (TriEL) on the phytoflagellatePoterioochromonas malhamensis (Chrysophyceae) was compared with those of eight surfactants some of which represent environmental pollutants. The surfactants typically inhibited algal growth and caused cytolysis in the concentration range from 12 to 310 μM. TriEL was cytolytic, similar to the surfactants, while lethal concentrations of inorganic lead did not cause cytolysis. The cationic and zwitterionic surfactants and SDS 1 and TriEL selectively inhibited mitosis and cytokinesis of the alga and caused the formation of giant multinucleated cells, suggesting selective interaction on the algal microtubules (MTs). However, DOC, TX100, and TX405 had no selective effects on these parameters. The most active surfactant, SDS, inhibited MT assemblyin vitro and caused an instant and complete disassembly if applied to MTs that were preassembled without surfactant. TX100, which was inactive in the algae, showed no effect in thein vitro MT assay, even if applied in ten times higher concentrations than SDS.

The observations indicate that the surfactants did not act chaotropically on the alga's cell membranes. It is postulated that the cytolytic effect of the surfactants (and of TriEL) was mainly governed by combined hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions with the lipid phase of the membranes, with cationic surfactants being much more effective than others. The selective action of some of the surfactants (like that of TriEL) was presumably caused by a selective interaction with protein structures. As the active surfactants were all applied in concentrations below their respective critical micelle concentrations, gross solubilization or denaturation of membrane and other proteins was most likely not involved in the observed selective effects. The results suggest that not only TriEL, but also the active surfactants (besides possible interference with cell membranes) selectively interferred with MTs and that this was the primary mechanism of their selective toxic action inP. malhamensis.

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  1. Institut für Botanik, Universität Hohenheim, Postfach 700562, D-7000, Stuttgart 70, Federal Republic of Germany

    G. Röderer

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Röderer, G. Toxic effects of tetraethyl lead and its derivatives on the chrysophytePoterioochromonas malhamensis. VIII. Comparative studies with surfactants. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 16, 291–301 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01054946

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01054946

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