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The potential role of spherocrystals in the detoxification of essential trace metals following exposure to Cu and Zn in the fighting conch Strombus (Lobatus) pugilis

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Abstract

Crypt cells—one of the three cell types composing Strombidae digestive tubules—are characterized by the presence of numerous metal-containing phosphate granules termed spherocrystals. We explored the bioaccumulation and detoxification of metals in Strombidae by exposing wild fighting conch Strombus pugilis for 9 days to waterborne CuSO4 and ZnSO4. The total amount of Cu and Zn was determined in the digestive gland and in the rest of the body by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analyses. The digestive gland spherocrystal metal content was investigated based on the semi-quantitative energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) elemental analysis. ICP analyses of unexposed individuals revealed that 87.0 ± 5.9% of the Zn is contained in the digestive gland, where its concentration is 36 times higher than in the rest of the body. Regarding Cu, 25.8 ± 16.4% of the metal was located in the digestive gland of the control individuals, increasing to 61.5 ± 16.4% in exposed individuals. Both Cu and Zn concentrations in the digestive gland increased after exposures, pointing to a potential role of this organ in the detoxification of these metals. EDX analysis of spherocrystals revealed the presence of Ca, Cl, Fe, K, Mg, P, and Zn in unexposed individuals. No difference was found in the relative proportion of Zn in spherocrystals of exposed versus control individuals. Contrastingly, copper was never detected in the spherocrystals from controls and Zn-exposed individuals, but the relative proportion of Cu in spherocrystals of Cu-exposed individuals varied from 0.3 to 5.7%. Our results show the direct role of spherocrystals in Cu detoxification.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a grant from ECOS-NORD 2008–2013 (MO9A2). We thank Manuel Sanchez and Marcela del Río from the CINVESTAV Mérida for their support in conducting the experiments. We also thank Carine Churlaud from the Plateforme Analyses Elémentaires of the LIENSs laboratory for carrying out ICP analyses. The IUF (Institut Universitaire de France) is acknowledged for its support to PB as a Senior Member. Electron microscopy work was performed at the C3MAG laboratory in Guadeloupe.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UMR 7138 CNRS-UPMC “Evolution Paris Seine” Team Biologie de la mangrove, Université des Antilles, U.F.R SEN, Département de Biologie B.P. 592, 97159, Pointe-á-Pitre Cedex, Guadeloupe, France

    Jean-Marie Volland & Olivier Gros

  2. Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266, CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France

    Paco Bustamante

  3. Laboratorio de Conservación, Cultivo y Biología de Moluscos, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Mérida, Carretera Antigua a Progreso, Km. 6, A.P. 73 Cordemex, C. P. 97310, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico

    Dalila Aldana Aranda

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  1. Jean-Marie Volland
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Volland, JM., Bustamante, P., Aldana Aranda, D. et al. The potential role of spherocrystals in the detoxification of essential trace metals following exposure to Cu and Zn in the fighting conch Strombus (Lobatus) pugilis. Biometals 31, 627–637 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-018-0114-6

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