Iron-dependent metabolism in molluscs from the Beagle Channel

GONZÁLEZ, P.M.; ESTÉVEZ, M.S.; MALANGA, G. Y PUNTARULO, S

Pinamar

Congreso; X PABMB Congress, XLI SAIB Annual Meeting, XX SAN Annual Meeting; 2005

SAIB, SAN

Iron role in oxidative metabolism in two subantarctic limpets Nacella magellanica and Nacella deaurata was studied. In spite of living in the same area, the difference in shore level location affects animal exposure to aerial and environmental conditions. Total iron (Fe) content in digestive glands was 1.99 ± 0.03, and 0.99 ± 0.07 nmol/mg FW for N. deaurata and N. magellanica, respectively. Ferritin was extracted from digestive glands. Samples were purified in a Sephacryl-S-300 column and ferritin was identified by SDS-PAGE. Ferritin content was 5.15 and 4.73 mg/g FW for N. deaurata and N. magellanica, respectively. Ascorbyl radical content (A·) was evaluated as a reaction product of available catalytic iron in the hydrophilic medium. A· content was 1.0 ± 0.4 and 1.1 ± 0.6 pmol/mg FW for N. deaurata and N. magellanica, respectively. Lipid radical content was assessed as the result of oxidation catalyzed by Fe in the lipophilic phase. Lipid radical content was 192 ± 31 and 122 ± 29 pmol/mg FW for N. deaurata and N. magellanica, respectively. Since total Fe content was significantly increased in N. deaurata as compared to N. magellanica, this results showing that iron content in ferritin is not different between the two limpets suggest that the excess iron is mainly stored in the cellular lipid phase and is responsible for lipid damage.