Ras gene in marine mussels: A molecular level response to petrochemical exposure

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2008

Authors

Lima, I (Author) Other; Peck, MR (Author) Other; Rendon Von Osten, J (Author) Other; Soares, AMM (Author) Other; Guilhermino, L. (Author) ICBAS; Rotchell, JM (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Marine Pollution Bulletin

Vol. 56

Pages: 633-640

ISSN: 0025-326X

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 8 Citations

Pubmed / Medline

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-0MY

DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2008.01.018

Abstract (EN): Mussels are susceptible to numerous toxicants and are often employed as bioindicators. This study investigated the status of the ras proto-oncogene in Mytilus galloprovincialis following petrochemical exposure. A M. galloprovincialis homologue of the vertebrate ras gene was isolated, showing conserved sequence in regions of functional importance and a high incidence of polymorphic variation. Mutational damage was investigated in mussels chronically exposed to the water-accommodated fraction of #4 fuel-oil (WAF), and in mussels collected along the NW coast of Portugal in sites with different levels of petrochemical contamination. A ras gene point mutation was identified in the codon 35 of one individual exposed to 12.5% WAF No mutations were detected in mussels from the WAF control or environmental samples. This represents the first report of a ras gene mutation, experimentally-induced by petrochemical exposure, in an invertebrate species.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8