Baseline levels of Hsp 70, a stress protein and biomarker, in halibut fromthe Cook Inlet region of Alaska

The levels of Hsp 70, a heat shock protein, was quantitatively determined i n Pacific halibut, Hippoglossus stenolepis, from the Cook Inlet region in s outh central Alaska. A dot blot analysis using a monoclonal antibody for Hs p 70 was combined with a standard protein analysis to determine Hsp 70 leve ls in 26 samples from gills. The average Hsp 70 concentration was 4.6 mu g/ mg, with levels ranging from 2.2 to 14.5 mu g/mg total protein. Mercury in gill tissue also was measured and, in the 26 samples, only three samples ha d concentrations of mercury ((X) over bar = 0.10 mg/kg, range = 0.09-0.11) above the minimum detection level. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All right s reserved.