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Inducibility of a molecular bioreporter system by heavy metals
Author(s) -
Klimowski Laura,
RaymsKeller Alfredo,
Olson Ken E.,
Beaty Barry,
Carlson Jon,
Yang Ray S. H.,
Tessari John
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.5620150203
Subject(s) - luciferase , bioreporter , metallothionein , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , cadmium , cell culture , metal , nuclear chemistry , environmental chemistry , gene expression , biology , reporter gene , transfection , biochemistry , gene , genetics , organic chemistry
We have developed a molecular bioreporter model for detecting an invertebrate response to heavy metals. The bioreporter system, pMt2‐luc, utilizes a Drosophila melanogaster metallothionein promoter to regulate luciferase expression in stably transformed mosquito cells. The LucC5 clone, which was isolated from pMt2‐luc transformed, hygromycin‐resistant C6/36 ( Aedes albopictus ) cells, demonstrated a 12‐fold increase in luciferase‐specific activity 48 h after exposure to 13 ppm copper (Cu). In addition to Cu, exposure of LucC5 cells to 19 ppm lead (Pb) or 3 ppm mercury (Hg) for 48 h induced luciferase expression threefold and fourfold, respectively. Exposures of up to 30 ppm arsenic (As), 8 ppm cadmium (Cd), 7 ppm chromium (Cr), or 5 ppm nickle (Ni) had no effect on luciferase induction. LucC5 cells exposed to metal mixtures of 13 ppm Cu and 19 ppm Pb yielded an additive response with a 14‐fold increase in luciferase expression. When organic chemicals such as phenol (3 ppm) were mixed with 13 ppm Cu, 19 ppm Pb, or 3 ppm Hg a significant reduction in luciferase activity was noted. Additionally, atomic absorption spectroscopy suggested that two of the metals, Cu and Pb, show marked differences in accumulation within the LucC5 cell line.