In vivo effects of metals on the acetylcholinesterase activity of the Perna perna mussel’s digestive gland

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is strongly inhibited by organophosphate and carbamate pesticides, and also by metals. However, recent reports indicate that some metals can activate AChE during acute exposure. In this work, we were interested in evaluating the effect of trace metal exposure (12, 24, 72 and 120 h) on the AChE activity of Perna perna mussel’s digestive gland. Mussels exposed to Fe or Cu showed no changes in AChE activity during the whole period. Mussels exposed to Cd for 72 h or to Pb for 12 hours showed higher AChE activity than the control group. Based on these results, we hypothesize that under acute exposure, metals might interact with acetylcholine receptors, thereby affecting their binding efficiency and leading to a response involving an initial increase in AChE synthesis.

Keywords

• Acetylcholinesterase
• mussel
• Perna perna
• metal
• pollution