Study of seasonal variations of glutathione and detoxification enzymes in Lophopus crystallinus Pallas (Bryozoa) from Lake Piediluco (Umbria, Italy)

Abstract

Lophopus crystallinus, a freshwater bryozoan, was collected monthly from Lake Piediluco (Umbria, Italy) to study variation of the biochemical responses to seasonal progress. Temperature seemed very important in conditioning the presence of the species: in fact, water temperature of over 20° C seemed to be out of its tolerance range. Seasonal variations of total glutathione, glutathione‐dependent enzymes (glutathione‐S‐transferases, glutathione peroxidases, glutathione reductase, glyoxalase I and gly‐oxalase II) and catalase were studied. The results suggest the existence of an annual cyclic path for glutathione‐dependent enzyme activities. The progress of this biochemical pattern could be considered a useful tool for characterising seasonal variations in the metabolic status of these organisms.

Key words:

• Glutathione
• Glutathione‐dependent enzymes
• Catalase
• Lophopus crystallinus
• Bryozoa