EFFECT OF ACUTE CONCENTRATION OF CADMIUM ON CERTAIN ASPECTS OF PROTEIN METABOLISM IN THE FRESHWATER MUSSEL LAMELUDENS MARGINALIS (LAMARCK) AND FRESHWATER FISH LABEO ROHITA (HAMILTON)

摘要

The levels of soluble, structural and total proteins and free ammo acids and the activity of protease, are estimated in the ctenidium, mantle, hepatopancreas and foot of the mussel, Lmarginalis and gills, kidney, liver and muscle of the fish, Lrohitaat day 1, 2 and 3 on exposure to acute concentration (7.0mg/l) of cadmium. The levels of soluble, structural and total proteins decreased in all the organs of the mussel and fish at all the days of exposure. Corresponding to the decrease in proteins, thefree amino acid levels and protease activity increased. Either the decrease or increase, as the case may be, was more in the organs of fish than in those of mussels. Among the days of exposure the magnitude of these changes was in the order: day 1 < 2 >3 in mussel and 1 < 2 < 3 in fish. Among the organs the degree was insignificant and and more or less inconsistent but, in general, it was in the order ctenidium > mantle > hepatopancreas > foot in mussel and kidney > liver > gill > muscle in fish. In between the two animals the degree of either the decrease or increase, as the case may be, in the parameters studied was more in the organs of fish and less in mussel. Further the changes were progressive overtime of exposure in fish, but a slight recovery was observed at day 3 in mussel.The results indicated proteolysis, in the organs of both the animal groups exposed to acute cadmium stress, with a greater degree in magnitude and progressive over time of exposure in fish than in mussel.