전자저널 > 전자저널 > Molecular cloning and expression pattern of Metallothionein Gene from the left-handed shell, Physa acuta

Molecular cloning and expression pattern of Metallothionein Gene from the left-handed shell, Physa acuta

Yong Hun Jo, Moon Ki Baek, Se Won Kang, Jae Bong Lee, Byun In-Seon, Sang-Haeng Choi, Sung-Hwa Chae, Jung-Ha Kang, Yeon Soo Han, Hong-Seog Park and Yong Seok Lee

Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, Korea

Metallothioneins (MTs) play a key role in metallic homeostasis and detoxification in most living organisms. In an attempt to study the biological functions and significance of MT in a snail, we cloned and partially characterized the MT gene from the left-handed snail, Physa acutawhich has been regarded as a potential biomonitering species for fresh water. The complete cDNA sequence of PaMT cDNA was identified from the expressed sequence tag (EST) sequencing project of Physa acuta. The coding region of 180 bp gives 60 amino acid residues including the initiation methionine and termination codon. Clustering and phylogenic analysis of PaMT with other MT amino acid sequences show that it has some identities to Helix pomatia (60%), Arianta arbustorum (58%), Perna viridis (49%), Mytilus edulis (49%), Bathymodiolus azoricus (49%), Bathymodiolus azoricus (48%) and Bathymodiolus sp. FD-2002 (48%). Time dependent induction for PaMT from P. acuta exposed with cadmium (50 ppb) indicated that PaMT was induced at 4-8 hr after exposure. It remains to further develop PaMTas a potential biomarker for water contamination in fresh water.

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