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In vitro effects of cadmium, zinc and lead on calmodulin-dependent actions inOncorhynchus mykiss, Mytilus sp., andChlamydomonas reinhardtii

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Abstract

The potential of cadmium, zinc, and lead to interact with calmodulin (CaM) was investigated by examiningin vitro CaM-dependent protein phosphorylation in tissues from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and sea mussel (Mytilus sp.) and CaM-dependent phosphodiesterase (PDE) activation by algal (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) extracts. Cadmium, zinc, and lead proved effective in sustaining CaM-dependent protein phosphorylation in systems containing calcium, whereas only lead was capable of CaM activation in systems depleted of calcium. Cadmium lead to a small activation of CaM-dependent PDE activity by algal extracts, corresponding to ∼25% of that induced by calcium. Cadmium-induced PDE-activation could be attributed to the residual calcium present in the extract. The results indicate that metal-induced CaM activation is primarily mediated in the case of cadmium and zinc by resulting calcium/CaM complexes and in the case of lead by lead/CaM complexes.

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Behra, R. In vitro effects of cadmium, zinc and lead on calmodulin-dependent actions inOncorhynchus mykiss, Mytilus sp., andChlamydomonas reinhardtii . Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 24, 21–27 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01061085

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01061085

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