Einfluß von Cd,Cu, Ni und Zn auf die Synthese metallothioneinähnlicher Substanzen in Scenedesmus subspicatus

Influence of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn on the synthesis of metalloproteins by Scenedesmus subspicatus In short term experiments under controlled growth conditions the effect of increasing Cd-, Cu-, Ni-, and Zn-concentrations in the nutrient solution on the amount of biomass, the accumulation of heavy metals and the synthesis of metalloproteins by the unicellular greenalga Scenedesmus subspicatus was studied. Among the 4 elements Cd was taken up at the highest rate. Cu revealed to be the most toxic element according to the biomass production. In the Cd trials a protein fraction could be established, which was not detected in the control and in the Cu-, Ni-, and Zn-trials. The further characterization of the isolated fraction indicates the existence of a Cd-metallothionein in the algae.