Estratégias metaloproteômicas na investigação de biomarcadores de mercúrio em amostras de tecido muscular de tucunarés

FIGUEIREDO, W. S. Strategies metalproteomics in research mercury biomarkers in tucunares muscle tissue samples. 2015. 97 p. Dissertation (Master) Faculty UnB Planaltina, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, 2015. The measurement of contaminants does not bring complete answers about the real effects that these substances may be causing the organisms. The identification of biomarkers related to mapping and metalloproteins expression associated with contaminants may help to elucidate the dynamics of various elements in the environment indicates previously possible contamination risks of environmental resources and be a basis for development of neutralizing mechanisms of its effects. Thus, this study sought to identify possible mercury exposure biomarkers in tucunares the Negro river through metalproteomics methods. Initially, were determined the total mercury concentrations in muscle tissue of tucunares caught in rivers and hydroelectric reservoirs. They were in a little independent variation of the sampling site and some were above the maximum limits set by Brazilian law. The concentrations increased following: Cana Brava reservoir < Balbina reservoir < Madeira river < Purus river < Tucurui reservoir < Apuau river < Solimões river < Negro river. Samples of the Negro river were selected for definition of a protein biomarker by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2D-PAGE). Mercury was determined in 15 possible protein with molecular weight of 20.1 kDa below, 2 the most promising biomarkers. Moreover, it was extracted from the muscle of tucunarés only 12.4% of mercury, with 89% of mercury was applied to the 2D-PAGE technique, and 49.74% of mercury in proteins. This percentage of mercury in spots indicates that the sample preparation procedures were optimized for efficient be applied to 2D-PAGE. The metalproteomics results of this study are important in the allowance for futures studies of identification and characterization of mercury biomarkers in fish. Descriptors: biomarkers; metalloproteins; contaminants; fish.