February 13, 2006

Zn, Cu, Cd and Hg binding to metallothioneins in harbour porpoises Phocoena [Journal Article]



BMC Ecology
7 February 2006
K Das, A De Groof, T Jauniaux, JM Bouquegneau
Photo courtesy of BBC News


Harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena from the southern North Sea are known to display high levels of Zn and Hg in their tissues linked to their nutritional status (emaciation). The question arises regarding a potential role of metallothioneins (MTs) with regard to these high metal levels. In the present study, metallothionein detection and associated Zn, Cd, Cu and Hg concentrations were investigated in the liver and kidney of 14 harbour porpoises collected along the Belgian coast.

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