Evaluation of Glutathione S-transferases expression as biomarkers by heavy metals in Geloina expansa from Sepang Besar River, Selangor, Malaysia


Citation

Sarini Ahmad Wakid, . and Nor Azwady Abd Aziz, . and Zazali Alias, . and Muskhazli Mustafa, . and Wan Mohd Syazwan, . and Syaizwan Zahmir Zulkifli, . (2024) Evaluation of Glutathione S-transferases expression as biomarkers by heavy metals in Geloina expansa from Sepang Besar River, Selangor, Malaysia. Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology (Malaysia), 32 (4). pp. 1439-1460. ISSN 2231-8526

Abstract

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are enzymes involved in phase II of detoxification metabolism and could be used as biomarkers for water pollution. This study aims to determine heavy metal concentrations in the soft tissue of the mangrove clam Geloina expansa, as well as the expression of GSTs in the species. The acid digestion method was used to digest the samples, followed by a standard USEPA 6010B procedure using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) to measure the heavy metal contents in the samples. GST enzyme activity was measured using 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as substrate. One-way ANOVA was performed to compare the mean values of heavy metal concentration, protein concentration, enzyme activity, and specific activity. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) for Zn, total protein, and specific activity in G. expansa, but no significant difference in Pb, Cu and enzyme activity. GST enzyme activities were estimated at 0.16 ± 0.01 µmol/min, with a protein content of 1.24 ± 0.04 mg. The specific activity for GST was 0.13 ± 0.01 µmol/min/mg, calculated as the ratio of enzyme activity to the total protein. GST-specific activity positively correlates with Pb concentration in the soft tissue of G. expansa. Detailed studies on the effects of pollution on the expression of GST need to be further investigated for the future use of this species as an efficient biomarker model.


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Abstract

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are enzymes involved in phase II of detoxification metabolism and could be used as biomarkers for water pollution. This study aims to determine heavy metal concentrations in the soft tissue of the mangrove clam Geloina expansa, as well as the expression of GSTs in the species. The acid digestion method was used to digest the samples, followed by a standard USEPA 6010B procedure using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) to measure the heavy metal contents in the samples. GST enzyme activity was measured using 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as substrate. One-way ANOVA was performed to compare the mean values of heavy metal concentration, protein concentration, enzyme activity, and specific activity. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) for Zn, total protein, and specific activity in G. expansa, but no significant difference in Pb, Cu and enzyme activity. GST enzyme activities were estimated at 0.16 ± 0.01 µmol/min, with a protein content of 1.24 ± 0.04 mg. The specific activity for GST was 0.13 ± 0.01 µmol/min/mg, calculated as the ratio of enzyme activity to the total protein. GST-specific activity positively correlates with Pb concentration in the soft tissue of G. expansa. Detailed studies on the effects of pollution on the expression of GST need to be further investigated for the future use of this species as an efficient biomarker model.

Additional Metadata

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Item Type: Article
AGROVOC Term: clams
AGROVOC Term: enzymes
AGROVOC Term: water pollution
AGROVOC Term: tissue
AGROVOC Term: detoxification
AGROVOC Term: biomonitoring
AGROVOC Term: digestion
AGROVOC Term: heavy metals
AGROVOC Term: pollution
AGROVOC Term: biomarkers
Geographical Term: Malaysia
Uncontrolled Keywords: Biomarker, bivalves, Geloina expansa, glutathione S-transferase, heavy metals, SDG 14
Depositing User: Ms. Azariah Hashim
Date Deposited: 22 Apr 2026 07:09
Last Modified: 22 Apr 2026 07:09
URI: http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/3005

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