The relationship of the increased level of metallothionein with heavy metal levels in the tissue of the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina)

The relationship between age, heavy metal levels, and a heavy-metal binding protein, metallothionein (MT), in the liver and kidney of the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) was studied. The cadmium (Cd) level in the liver and the Cd, inorganic mercury (I-Hg), and zinc (Zn) levels in the kidney were increased with body length, suggesting an age-related accumulation of these metals. The MT levels determined by an MT radioimmunoassay showed concentrations of 240 +/- 139 micrograms/g in the liver and 343 +/- 219 micrograms/g in the kidney. These MT levels were shown to be correlated with age. The statistically significant relationship of the MT levels with the levels of Cd and Zn in the liver and those of Cd, Zn, and I-Hg in the kidney suggested that the protein is responsible for the sequestration of these metals as already observed in terrestrial animals.