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Microcystin-RR induces apoptosis in fish lymphocytes by generating reactive oxygen species and causing mitochondrial damage

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Abstract

Microcystin-RR (MCRR), a very widespread toxic microcystin in China, has previously been proved to induce sensitive apoptosis in Carassius auratus lymphocytes in vitro. This study focused on the role of intracellular Ca2+, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species, and intracellular ATP in the mechanism of MCRR-induced apoptotic toxicity to fish lymphocytes. Compared with controls, administration of MCRR (10 nmol L−1) caused a massive calcium influx resulting in elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), rapid disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and depletion of ATP. This study provided a possible mechanism for the cytotoxicity of microcystins to fish lymphocytes.

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Acknowledgments

This work was mainly supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (No. Y505257). We are grateful to Professor Jianzhong Shao from College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, for his technical assistance.

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  1. College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310028, P.R. China

    H. Zhang, J. Zhang, Y. Chen & Y. Zhu

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  1. H. Zhang
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  2. J. Zhang
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  3. Y. Chen
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  4. Y. Zhu
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Correspondence to J. Zhang.

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Zhang, H., Zhang, J., Chen, Y. et al. Microcystin-RR induces apoptosis in fish lymphocytes by generating reactive oxygen species and causing mitochondrial damage. Fish Physiol Biochem 34, 307–312 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-007-9189-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-007-9189-7

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