Scientific publications

The effect of complex contamination (by organic substances, heavy metals, oil products) on intracellular proteolytic enzymes in amphipods G. duebeni and mussels M. edulis from some coastal zones of the White Sea in summer period was investigated. The parameters of protein turnover are rather informative at estimation of the alterations in the organism status caused by environmental factors. The modifications in proteolytic activity in the invertebrates are shown to reflect the pollution level of the area of water. It was shown that at so-called "slight" contamination the dynamics of the studied enzymes in benthic organisms has obviously adaptive significance. The features characterizing the development of pathological process, such as the redistribution in Са2+-dependent proteolytic activity between protein fractions of various molecular weight and the native enzyme instability, were detected in specimens from highly contaminated zone. Presumable, the genetically derived mechanisms of cellular protein metabolism modification participate in observed response reaction of the aquatic organisms at the effect of contamination.