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Heavy Metal Toxicity in an Insect Cell Line (Methyl-HgCl, HgCl2, CdCl2 and CuSO4)

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Cellular Effects of Heavy Metals

Abstract

We have analyzed the toxicity, uptake and intracellular effects of CdCl2, HgCl2, MeHgCl and CuSO4 in a cell line of the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus . Cell proliferation was drastically inhibited by CdCl2 and MeHgCl while HgCl2 showed only a moderate effect. Acute toxicity tests showed that membrane integrity was severely affected in cells treated with low doses of HgCl2 and MeHgCl. Uptake of both mercury species occurred via simple diffusion while cadmium entered the cells through mediated transport. CdCl2, HgCl2 and CuSO4, but not MeHgCl induced microtubule-supported neurite-like extensions in the Aedes cells. The metals induced some general intracellular pathologies such as mitochondrial alterations, nuclear deformation and increased lysosomal profiles. Mitochondrial swelling and severe RER dilatation by proteinaceous material was most pronounced in cadmium-treated cells. These morphological features were accompanied by lactate production and induction of a 78-kDa protein (possibly Grp78/BiP). The latter may represent a stress defense system that leads to a positive shift of the cell viability curve. Unlike other treatments, CuSO4-treated cells showed massive apoptosis characterized by nuclear chromatin condensation and DNA laddering.

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Acknowledgements

I want to acknowledge H. Raes for introducing me into the wonderful world of scientific research and her excellent promotorship during my metal-related research activities. I also acknowledge R. Dams, L. Mees and M. Helsen for help with the atomic spectrometry, G. Criel and T. McRae for support with the antibody staining, G. Smagghe for running the SDS-PAGEs, L. De Ridder and J. Quatacker for the use of the transmission electron microscopes, and J. R. Vanfleteren for helpful discussions. This study was granted by the Belgian Fund for Medical Scientific Research (3.9001.92).

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  1. Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000, Gent, Belgium

    Bart P. Braeckman

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Correspondence to Bart P. Braeckman .

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    Gaspar Banfalvi

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Braeckman, B.P. (2011). Heavy Metal Toxicity in an Insect Cell Line (Methyl-HgCl, HgCl2, CdCl2 and CuSO4). In: Banfalvi, G. (eds) Cellular Effects of Heavy Metals. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0428-2_5

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