Detoxification Enzyme Activities (CYP1A1 and GST) in the Skin of Humpback Whales as a Function of Organochlorine Burdens and Migration Status

S Bengtson Nash; A Dawson; M Burkhard; Courtney Waugh; W Huston

doi:10.1016/j.aquatox.2014.06.021

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Detoxification Enzyme Activities (CYP1A1 and GST) in the Skin of Humpback Whales as a Function of Organochlorine Burdens and Migration Status

S Bengtson Nash, A Dawson, M Burkhard, Courtney Waugh and W Huston

Aquatic Toxicology, Vol.155, pp.207-212

2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2014.06.021

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Abstract

Southern hemisphere humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)

epidermal enzyme activity

CYP1A1

GST

persistent organic pollutants

Antarctica

The activities of glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and cytochrome P-450 1A1 (CYP1A1) enzymes were measured in freshly extracted epidermis of live-biopsied, migrating, southern hemisphere humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). The two quantified enzyme activities did not correlate strongly with each other. Similarly, neither correlated strongly with any of the organochlorine compound groups previously measured in the superficial blubber of the sample biopsy core, likely reflecting the anticipated low levels of aryl-hydrocarbon receptor ligands. GST activity did not differ significantly between genders or between northward (early migration) or southward (late migration) migrating cohorts. Indeed, the inter-individual variability in GST measurements was relatively low. This observation raises the possibility that measured activities were basal activities and that GST function was inherently impacted by the fasting state of the sampled animals, as seen in other species. These results do not support the implementation of CYP1A1 or GST as effective biomarkers of organochlorine contaminant burdens in southern hemisphere populations of humpback whales as advocated for other cetacean species. Further investigation of GST activity in feeding versus fasting cohorts may, however, provide some insight into the fasting metabolism of these behaviourally adapted populations.

Details

Title: Detoxification Enzyme Activities (CYP1A1 and GST) in the Skin of Humpback Whales as a Function of Organochlorine Burdens and Migration Status
Authors: S Bengtson Nash (Author) - Griffith University
A Dawson (Author) - Griffith University
M Burkhard (Author) - Griffith University
Courtney Waugh (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
W Huston (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Publication details: Aquatic Toxicology, Vol.155, pp.207-212
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2014
DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2014.06.021
ISSN: 0166-445X
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99448774302621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Marine & Freshwater Biology; Toxicology

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