Abstract
In contrast to previous results which examined oysters exposed to artificially high cadmium (Cd) levels, the forms of cadmium occurring in “natural” commercially available oysters were partially characterized. About one-third of the Cd was associated with insoluble material. Of the soluble Cd, about 20% occurred in a high molecular weight protein of 40,000–50,000 daltons. The low molecular weight soluble Cd consisted of at least two different forms,i.e., that associated with amino acids (a small peptide) and inorganic Cd. The small peptide fraction also contained zinc and copper. The forms of Cd in commercial oysters were compared to those occurring in both commercial scallops and artificially cultured oysters. Scallops bind Cd to three soluble proteins, all of which are of higher molecular weight than the small oyster peptide. Oysters cultured in 10 ppb Cd medium contained binding sites similar to commercial oysters except that none of the soluble Cd in the cultured oysters was associated with a high molecular weight protein. The results suggest that extremely high environmental Cd levels are necessary to induce a metallothionein-like protein in oysters. Implications of the results to public health are discussed.
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Contribution Number 83-10C, Southeast Fisheries Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Charleston, SC 29412-0607
Use of trade names is for informational purposes and is not intended as an endorsement of the product(s) by this agency
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Siewicki, T.C., Sydlowski, J.S. & Webb, E.S. The nature of cadmium binding in commercial Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 12, 299–304 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01059406
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01059406