M. Satoh et al., Heavy-metal induced changes in nonproteinaceous thiol levels and heavy-metal binding peptide in Tetraselmis tetrathele (Prasinophyceae), J PHYCOLOGY, 35(5), 1999, pp. 989-994
The effects of mercury and cadmium on the intracellular level of nonprotein
aceous thiols in a unicellular preen alga Tetraselmis tetrathele (West) But
cher (Prasinophyceae) were investigated by using a fluorescent dye, 5-chlor
omethylfluorescein (5CMF), as a probe for nonproteinaceous thiols, The 5CMF
fluorescence was observed in cytoplasm, and the intensity of the fluoresce
nce was decreased by exposure of the cells to HgCl2, Analysis of the fluore
scent intensity of 5CMF by flow cytometry made it possible to distinguish c
ells in three states during the dying process caused by HgCl2: a normal sta
te, a thiol-depleted state, and a dead state. Depletion of nonproteinaceous
thiols began within 30 min, and they were completely depleted at 2 h, Most
cells died after 24 h of exposure to more than 3.0 mu M HgCl2, whereas exp
osure up to 1.0 mM CdCl2 did not cause depletion of nonproteinaceous thiols
or cell death within 48 h.
HPLC analyses revealed that glutathione was a major nonprotein thiol in T,
tetrathele and that it was oxidized by exposing the cells to HgCl2. Phytoch
elatins, which play a great role in the tolerance to heavy metals of higher
plants and many algae, could not be found in T. tetrathele. However, a tri
peptide, Arg-Arg-Glu, was found to be abundant, and it showed ability to bi
nd Hg2+, suggesting that it functions to scavenge heavy metals as well as t
hiol molecules.