CALCEIN ACCUMULATION IN MUSSEL BLOOD-CELLS

Incubation of mussel blood cells with the lipophylic compound calcein- AM led these cells to hydrolase this organic chemical into its charged and fluorescent form, calcein. The distribution of this dye was mainl y concern with the lysosomal compartment, as visualised by confoncal l aser microscopy. Assessment of blood cell calcein accumulation with a microtiter plate reader showed that calcein fluorescence was lower in mussel cells from organisms collected at a polluted site and from orga nisms treated with vincristine than in cells from organisms sampled in a pristine area. Furthermore this accumulation was sensitive to verap amil, vincristine, simazine and sodium azide. As the sensitivity to MX R modulators was low, these results suggest that the use of assessment of calcein accumulation in mussel blood cells using a microtiter plat e reader as a new biomarker tool for environmental purposes needs furt her study. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.