Metallothionein Gene Expression in Drosophila subobscura Indicates Their Different Function in Response to Heavy Metal Exposures

Abstract

Heavy metals are one of the most persistent pollutants that are introduced into the environment through human activity and ever so growing industrialization, exploitation and utilization of natural heavy metal deposits. Due to their toxicity, heavy metals have severely negative effects on organisms, mainly through oxidative stress. The objective of this research was to investigate the influence of heavy metals on the expression of six metallothionein genes (Mtn A, B, C, D, E, F), with the intention to show to which extent the concentration of metals and the duration of the exposure influence Mtn gene expression, as well as the potential correlation of certain metallothioneins to a specific metal or combination of them. Larvae of the fruit fly Drosophila subobscura were subjected to the treatments with four heavy metals: zinc, copper, cadmium or lead. A combination of cadmium and lead was also included, to detect the combinatory effect of these metals. Treatment with each of the heavy metals was conducted in two concentrations, in short-term (24 hours) and long-term (10 days) time frame. Gene expression was analyzed with qPCR. The pattern of gene expression in response to various treatments indicates that some genes show specificity to certain metals, while others demonstrate a broader response or no response at all.