TY - JOUR T1 - Quantitative immunodetection of metallothioneins in relation to metals concentration in spiders from variously polluted areas JF - Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Y1 - 2011 A1 - Babczynska, Agnieszka A1 - Wilczek, Grazyna A1 - Szulinska, Elzbieta A1 - Franiel, Izabella SP - 1498 EP - 1503 KW - Agelena labyrinthica KW - Agelena labyrinthica (Araneae). KW - Araneus diadematus KW - Araneus diadematus (Araneae). KW - Biochemical techniques KW - Biochemistry KW - Chemical KW - Eurasia KW - Europe KW - Land zones KW - Linyphia triangularis (Araneae). KW - Linyphia triangularis [Assay KW - Metallothioneins content / ] [Metal pollution / / ] [Poland / South / KW - Palaearctic region KW - Pollution KW - Techniques KW - techniques / ELISA / ] [Pollutants / Metals content / ] [Proteins / AB - Spiders inhabiting post industrial environments, such as waste heaps or ore-bearing areas, are exposed to high concentrations of metals, accumulated in the body of their prey and transferred along food chains. Therefore spiders are pressed to develop metal-neutralization strategies. Low-molecular, multifunction proteins: metallothioneins (MTs), often postulated as biomarkers of metal exposure, are known to bind metals and thus protect organisms against their toxic effects. Yet the proteins are still not well recognized in spiders. The aim of this study was to assess, by immunodetection method, ELISA, the concentration of metallothioneins in adult females of three web building spider species: Araneus diadematus (Araneidae), Agelena labyrinthica (Agelenidae) and Linyphia triangularis (Linyphiidae) from three variously polluted areas in southern Poland: Olkusz, ore-bearing post industrial site; Katowice[long dash]WeLnowiec: post metallurgic waste heap, Pilica: the reference, rural, area. The concentration of metallothioneins has been analyzed in relation to the metal concentration in spiders body. The study gives the evidence that metallothioneins are reliably detectable by means of ELISA technique. The analysis of results obtained shows a strong species-dependence of the MTs level. Positive correlations between MTs concentration and metal body burden (mainly Zn and Pb) were found. This suggests that the proteins play an important role in the neutralization and regulation of metal ions in spiders. The same correlation indicate the possibility to consider MTs in spiders as biomarkers of metal exposure and effects. However, the species specificity as well as metal characteristics should be taken under account. VL - 74 SN - 0147-6513 UR - ://ZOOREC:ZOOR14802016758 N1 - ZOOR14802016758 ER -